FOURTEEN EMILY
FOURTEEN
EMILY
Iwatched from the overlook as he walked up the winding trail.
Had he paid any attention when we were here yesterday, he would have realized that the trail is like a spiral staircase winding in a circle upwards.
His movements were slow, he clutched his chest a few times, and he had to stop to catch his breath.
It made me sad to watch him like that. To know that his body is slowly failing him, and he probably has no idea.
For so many years I wished I had never found out about him, because not knowing would be easier.
It would mean I wouldn’t ever have to live in fear of him finding out I know, or the police finding out what he was.
I’ve always wondered what my life would be like if he was caught. Would I have to change my name? Move somewhere no one would know me? Would people believe that I really had no idea about him? If I’m being honest with myself, I don’t think I could go on living if he was caught.
Selfish, I know. I also know he is behind me watching. Thinking that he has the upper hand because he has done this so many times. Footsteps slowly approach as I grip the flashlight even harder.
“I know you’re here, Devin,” my voice is calm—even though inside I am trembling with fear.
The footsteps stop, but I don’t turn around.
His victims didn’t have the slightest idea of what was going to happen, but unfortunately I do.
Leaving my back to him gives him the chance to strangle me from behind. And I want to give that to him.
“What are you doing here, Emily? Why… did you bring me here?” He’s winded.
“You haven’t figured it out by now? I’ve seen the looks you’ve given me since we got here. And the plans you made, I know they don’t involve me.” I still keep looking forward, not moving, but he is. It’s dark, but I can feel him inching closer to me.
The skin on my right arm tingles just before he grabs it.
My body spins around to face him, and I shine the flashlight in his eyes.
He lets go of me to block the light on his face and staggers a few paces back.
I use my left arm to inject him in the neck with the leftover paralytic.
That mixed with the epinephrine will surely make him easier to take down.
But as I pull the needle out, blood seeps down his neck like a faucet left running. His hand slaps over the wound, and blood gathers in between his fingers.
Oh God. Shit. I didn’t mean to hit an artery. It just happened so fast, and it was dark, so I couldn’t see exactly where I got him. I must have torn open a bigger hole in his neck when I removed the needle because I pulled it towards me instead of straight out.
“Emily! What the fuck!” He screams as he backs away from me. I’ve never seen fear in his eyes like he has now, but I like it. My heart is beating a mile a minute, but I’m not afraid. I’m just getting started.
“What are you afraid of, Devin? Did you really think you’d get away with everything you’ve done? I know what you are, and now you will face your consequences. Feeling tired? Weak?” I mock, his eyes flutter as his knees buckle. We move around in a circle; his back is facing the start of the trail.
“You don’t know shit! I don’t know what you’re talking about, you crazy bitch! Have you been drugging me this whole time? What the fuck did you just inject me with?” He coughs, and I see blood on the palm of his hand.
“Did you ever feel bad for what you’ve done?
Did you ever care that you were a monster hidden in plain sight?
Or did it just fuel you to do more harmful things?
At first, I didn’t want to believe, but everything was always right in front of me.
I’d have to be blind not to notice.” I walk towards him slowly, and he backs away.
He won’t answer any of my questions, but I don’t expect or need him to. I only need a little bit of time for the drugs to kick in.
“A monster like you can only hide for so long,” I whisper.
“It looks like I’m not the only monster here tonight,” he wheezes. “I’ve always had an idea that you’ve known something was wrong. I just never thought you’d try to stop me. I loved you, Emily.”
A split second later he barrels into me and knocks me down to the ground.
The flashlight flies out of my hand, landing next to us and shining in the area around us.
The back of my head hits the gravel, but it doesn’t knock me out.
His strong hands are around my neck, crushing my windpipe.
Even if I wanted to scream for help, I couldn’t.
He hovers over me, and I don’t recognize him anymore. His face is contorted, not with grief, but with anger. His lip curls over his teeth like an animal killing his prey. My vision begins to blur. He’s too big and strong for me to push away. I slap, punch, and scratch at him, but he doesn’t budge.
This is it. He’s won. I’ll be his latest victim, and no one will ever know.
I reach an arm out in a last-ditch effort to grab the flashlight, but I can’t reach it; instead, something smooth and round grazes my fingertips. I grab hold of it and swing with all my might at his head.
A sickening crack fills my ears, and the pressure around my throat lessens. I take a painful deep breath and swing again. Drops of liquid splash on my face, and Devin’s eyes roll to the back of his head. He falls to the side, and I push him away.
I take in as much air as I can, and my throat is on fire as I cough to clear my airway. Devin lies beside me; his body is twitching, and he’s making gurgling sounds. Shit, he’s still alive. I raised my arm and saw that I had grabbed a rock the size of my palm. It’s slick with blood.
I look around in a panic, my heart pounding out of my chest, but I can’t see anything past where the flashlight is illuminating.
I crawl over to pick it up and take a quick look around.
There is no one else here, so I take the rock I hit Devin with and bring it down on his head.
Again, and again until my hand is soaked with blood and the side of his head has caved in.
He doesn’t move on his own ever again.
The blood and gore should make me sick to my stomach; instead, I feel oddly calm, and relieved. Like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. My vision is clear, and for the first time in my life I feel peace.
This is the beginning of my new life.