The blade stabbed again, and this time, Holly felt the flesh of her stomach part. The knife was large, it went deep. There wasn’t pain, just shock and confusion and a sudden concern for her parents. They’d be waiting at the restaurant, worrying about her tardiness.

A searing fire began. Holly fell to her knees, hands cradling the handle of the blade jutting absurdly from her stomach. She heard the words, whispered, maybe she dreamed them, she didn’t know, it all hurt, so much pain, she’d never felt anything so horrible, she felt invaded, could feel every inch of the metal inside her. She tried to pull the knife away, felt the warm gush of blood, and realized she was dying.

“You should have left it alone.”

And there was nothing more.

Admissions of Guilt

ADMISSIONS OF GUILT

Yes, I did it. Of course I did it. I’ve done all of it. Did you really have any doubts?

And before you turn away in disgust, you need to understand something.

The cop needed to be taught a lesson, just like Sutton and Ethan needed to be taught a lesson.

She’d been warned and wouldn’t leave it alone.

They didn’t understand the gift they had in their cherubic little boy. Sutton didn’t, for sure, though Ethan might have. But if they weren’t so wrapped up in their own drama, this wouldn’t have happened. If they’d been paying attention at all, this wouldn’t have happened.

They will be so surprised when they figure out it wasn’t negligence on their parts. That I did this to them. That I knew deep in my soul what had to happen.

The boy didn’t feel a thing. I swear that. I am not that much of a monster. I have no desire to cause an innocent pain. No, the pain had to be delivered properly, to the sinners, the parents. It could not be mitigated.

Would you feel better if I told you it was an accident? Enough people die by accident that it’s entirely possible. I know we want to turn aside, look away, find all the ways this couldn’t have been a purposeful act. But let me let you in on a little secret.

It’s always intentional.

Somewhere, deep inside, there is a kernel of hate that each and every one of us must push away. Push down. Pretend it doesn’t exist. We’re all such good people.

Until we’re not.

Until something pushes us over the edge.

And then we act out. Whether it’s taking a life, hurting a loved one, breaking a law, we all do it. No one is perfect. No one is blameless.