SEVEN EMILY
SEVEN
EMILY
Ireplaced the Epi-Pen Devin had in his hiking bag with an empty one while he was sitting outside before the parade.
I have another empty one with me that I put in my own bag.
While walking around yesterday, I noticed a few bees around but couldn’t scope out an active hive while Devin was following me.
He’s been allergic to bees since he was a child; I remember him telling me about the time he found out he was allergic.
There was a swarm of bees that attacked him, and he went into anaphylactic shock.
Luckily for him, his parents got him to the hospital in time.
Ever since, he’s been afraid and hyperaware of making sure to bring an Epi-Pen with him to all places.
That could be why he isn’t into hiking or camping like I am. He hates bugs of all kinds, so I knew in order to make this work I would have to rent a cabin. I can feel Devin watching me once I came out and the parade started. He’s onto me, I know it.
I found his travel bag he thinks I know nothing about. It was filled with different items one could use to kidnap a person and hurt them: rope, leather gloves, tape, a hunting knife, and a flashlight.
I’m not stupid; I watch plenty of crime shows, and Devin is spot on with the profile of a serial killer.
I’ve known him long enough to learn his mannerisms, habits, and travel schedules to align some of the missing persons cases in the area.
It’s taken me years to confirm my findings, but I’m sure of it now.
I’ve thought of turning him in, but I have zero physical evidence.
There is no way to convince him to turn himself in, so that’s out of the picture.
If he knew for sure that I knew about him, he would kill me immediately.
He knows there would be few people that would question me going missing or if I was found dead.
I wouldn’t even put it past him to kill me in the same manner he’s done before to link it to the other cases.
The parade was cute—just as I expected. Trucks, and golf carts adorned in red, white, and blue decor with flags paraded around the entire campground.
People cheered and enjoyed the sunshine with drinks in hand.
I made sure to bring plenty for Devin to drink while he was here; I figured it would make him easier to handle.
“Want another beer?” He nods and hands me the empty bottle in his hand. I try to make things the same as they always have been: me tending to him like a helpless child. I usually partake in the occasional drink, but lately have not had the desire to do so.
Especially this week. I have work to do.
We had a light meal for dinner and are now heading to the main area where a bonfire is being held at 8:00 pm.
Devin has been chattier than usual this evening, surely the work of all the beer and now hard alcohol he’s consumed throughout the day.
He keeps going on and on about the couple’s therapy sessions coming up and which ones we should attend.
All the things he wants to do while we are here this week.
I smiled and nodded in hopes that would be enough to make him believe that I was interested in all of those things.
Come morning he won’t remember or care for any of the things he mentioned earlier.
That’s fine, but I’ll still make him attend a session or two while we are here.
It only makes sense that we do since this is a couples retreat, after all.
When we checked in yesterday, the main office mentioned letting us set off some fireworks tonight.
Devin is too drunk to do so, and I’m not a huge fan of them, but maybe I’ll grab a few just in case.
Could I get lucky and he blows his hand or a finger off in a tragic accident?
No. I’m not lucky that way. Instead, I’ll just maintain my composure and go along with what everyone else is doing.
The fire roars as we approach the pit. People are already there fueling the fire and chattering away in their own worlds. I like people-watching and listening instead of actually participating in conversation.
The group next to us comes out every year for the holiday.
The young college-age girls are there on a girls trip; all from different schools, coming together again after a semester away.
Families, and other couples surround us while they talk about their plans for the week and how to reconnect again.
There was a time that I wanted to reconnect with Devin.
I wanted us to rekindle the fire we once had before life and work took over.
At least that’s what I thought was the problem.
Now I know the truth of it all. It was never me; it was always about him.
I’ve come to terms with the mistakes younger me made, and now I have to make things right, but not for myself. For all the women he’s wronged.
The flames soar as the sun burrows beneath the mountains.
Darkness surrounds us, and the scene changes.
The flames dance around and create shadows around everyone who weren't there before. It’s as if I can see everyone else’s dark secrets and desires.
Even when I look back at Devin, I can see the evil in him.
The camp manager comes by with plastic tubs filled with fireworks of different kinds. Without waiting for Devin to grab any, I pick a few small ones from the tub. They’re simple ones that stick in the ground and you light off. I have a lighter in the cabin so we can wait to use these later.
“Alright, everyone! Why don’t we go around and share what we hope to get out of the retreat this week?
” The camp manager shouts over everyone rummaging through the firework bucket and chattering amongst themselves.
The group quiets down, and a couple of guys on one side of the bonfire start by introducing themselves, and the rest I couldn’t hear.
By the time it got to us, Devin wasn’t even paying attention. He had his eyes set on that group of girls again.
“Hi, I’m Emily, and this is my husband, Devin.
It’s our first time at the campground, and we look forward to attending some couples sessions and getting some much-needed time away from work.
” The group next to me starts with their intros, and I can breathe again.
I was afraid Devin would say something, but he didn’t even budge next to me.
After everyone has spoken, some begin to light off their fireworks. The thick smoke of the fireworks going off mixed with the bonfire fills the area around us. I grab Devin’s arm to get his attention and motion for him to follow me back to the cabin.
“Looking forward to time off from work, huh?” He grumbles once we’ve arrived at the cabin.
“Yeah, I am. Aren’t you? Oh wait, you never take time off of work.
Want to help me set these off, or are you too busy drinking?
” The vein on his forehead starts to throb.
A telltale sign I’m getting on his last nerve.
Over the years I’ve learned how to push his buttons very carefully and controlled.
Sometimes he doesn't even realize why he’s getting pissed off, but I know why.
I take the lighter from the kitchen and walk out the back door and into the clearing behind the cabin.
How the fuck do I even light these stupid things?
I shove the stick attached to the drum into the ground and find the fuse string.
I light it and step away quickly. The fuse burns quickly, and it screeches as it launches into the air.
It pops and crackles in the air above me, revealing a pale blue color.
So beautiful, and as I look up, the sky is filled with different colors.
The sound of others lighting off their fireworks fills my ears.
Devin is standing at the doorway watching as I light off the second firework I picked up. This one is red. Classic. I’m kind of sad that he didn’t light it and hurt himself.
“Are you finished?” He snaps at me.
“I hope you get sober and clean up your act for tomorrow. We have our first couples session in the morning,” I say as I push past him and head to the bedroom. I just want to shower and see what tomorrow brings.