Page 46 of Guess Again

Nekoosa, Wisconsin Tuesday, July 29, 2025

ELTON JOHN’S “GOODBYE YELLOW brICK ROAD”

ECHOED THROUGH the bathroom as she stepped from the shower and examined her body in the mirror.

The tattoo of a python twisted around her calf and climbed up her thigh, slithering around her hip until the head of the snake crept to her navel, mouth open and fangs exposed.

She turned sideways and raised her arm, pulling her right breast to the side to examine the newest tattoo etched into the side of her ribcage—a black heart.

As she dried her hair and applied makeup—dark eyeliner and thick mascara—she replayed her journey to the rail yard and the abandoned warehouse from two weeks before, and her success in securing the storage unit where she placed the contents of the footlocker.

She wanted so badly to tell Francis how well she had done setting up all the photos just like he’d asked her, and that she had followed his every command to a tee.

But she’d have to wait until the next time she saw him, which, if things went according to plan, wouldn’t be long now.

Soon she’d be able to see Francis as much as she wanted.

They’d finally be together. But only if she followed the plan, and followed it perfectly.

She finished her makeup and then dressed.

She checked her watch.

Five minutes until the required therapy session began.

She hurried to the kitchen table, opened her laptop, and followed the login prompts.