Even though Nikki wouldn’t stop shouting at her, Kate was able to push her unhinged sister-on-law’s voice away until it was a dull thrum of white noise. The heavy, unstable pounding of her heart filled her ears instead, its erratic rhythm making it hard to breathe. She felt Andrew’s hand on her back, smelled the fear-tinged sweat of his body, and tried to send out a steady wave of thoughts for the beast to leave them forever. Andrew had told her not to picture it drowning in the lake, but where else could it go where she’d know they’d be safe?

No, it had to drown.

Her body felt as if she’d been thrown off a tall building into a vat of boiling oil. Every bone had shattered like spun sugar, her skin melting. And through it all, her heart and lungs labored to keep her alive, to keep her wishing the nightmare monster into her dream lake, a dream that she’d been permitted to see but never truly enjoy.

If she and the monstrosity died together, it would be a mercy.

She would miss Andrew. She worried so much about him.

In the cold light of day, she believed in an afterlife, her spirit moving on but still able to love and check in on her husband from time to time.

Some nights, when death seemed to be lurking in the shadows, waiting, there were doubts.

Either way – heaven or eternal nothing – her suffering would be over. At least with the former, she would once again be with Andrew. If she was wrong, he would be left alone for the splinter of time left him, and that was always what made her scratch and claw her way back to him.

You’re not going to have much choice in the matter this time around.

A starburst of pain exploded from her chest, cascading outward. She stiffened like a board as her heart went on a drunken stumble.

Concentrate! You can fight through this. You always have.

Andrew tightened his grip on her, the tone of his voice soothing. Did he know he was losing her? In the end, would it be a relief for him?

If she could convince herself of that, it would be easier to go.

Stop thinking about yourself and tell that thing to die!

Go!

Leave us!

Head to the lake. Step in the cool water. Keep walking until you can’t breathe. Suck in the water. Let it fill your diseased lungs. Let the water embrace you, you goddamn devil! Die.

Die!

She opened one eye when Andrew’s hand brushed against her face.

He was crying.

In that moment, Kate’s will wavered.

“Don’t…cry,” she sputtered.

He leaned close to her ear. “I’m not crying,” he whispered. “I’m just chopping onions.”