Chapter Ten

Graves

I’m parked in my truck down the road from Edward’s shithole of a house. He sure is taking his sweet assed time returning, he’s been gone for two days now. I set up a game camera to monitor his house when I’m not around but there’s been no sign of him. I’m not a patient man when it comes to the safety of my lady. My skin is crawling with paranoia. Where is he? Hopefully he’s dead, overdosed on the same shit drugs he peddles around the area. Possibly laying dead and decomposing in a ditch somewhere no one will ever find him.

It’s getting late, Mallory would be home by now. I wonder what she’s doing. I can’t wait until those security cameras she ordered show up so I can watch her constantly. She finally decided to notice my existence tonight. It’s small, but I’ll take what I can get when it comes to her.

I finally gathered up enough courage to sneak into her house through the unlocked basement window this week. Twice while she was away at work and then while she was asleep last night. I installed a screen-mirroring app on her phone, that way I can see what she’s been up to. It’s how I knew exactly when to text her this afternoon, our text thread was open on her phone for ten whole minutes. I couldn’t help myself, I had to give her a little scare. I know it turns her on. I assumed she would think I was watching her at that moment. When in reality, I was home, making a late lunch before getting ready to head to the station for the last night of my shift this week.

It’s just after 1 am when my phone lights up with a text from my little siren.

Mallory:

Why’d you get a new maskkk?

I like Ghostfacee muchhh moireee than that one.

It’s soooooo creeeppppppyyyyy.

Her texts come in one after the other, what is wrong with her? Why would she think I got a new mask? The thought turns my stomach. I’m quickly starting my truck and peeling the fuck out of my hiding space. I throw on the police lights, no sirens, and tear through town on my way to her. Once I hit a straight patch of road I pull out my phone and text her back. I know, I know, don’t text and drive. Who’s going to stop me? No one. What would they do? Give me a ticket? The entire thought is laughable.

Unknown number:

I didn’t get a new mask.

Mallory:

Don’t fuk wit me Ghost.

I can seee you syandinggg in th woods.

What the fuck is wrong with her? Has she been drinking? Did someone drug her? The thought hits me like a ton of bricks. Edward Rader. Fuck, I’m going to kill him. Torture him. Peel his skin from his body and throw him in a salt bath.

Unknown number:

It’s not me, baby, I swear.

But I’m coming.

I know I’m pushing my truck to its limits on this dirt road. I can feel the back end fishtailing on me and I’m a hair's breadth away from losing control as I turn the last corner. Flipping off all the lights and taking my foot off the accelerator has my vehicle slowing, coasting to a stop down the road from Mal’s house. She hasn’t replied to my last message and the thought that something could have happened to her in my thirty minute drive here makes a cold sweat break out on my brow.

Unknown number:

Where was he Mallory?

No reply. I’m going in blind. No idea what I’m walking into. I doubt Edward is alone. Fuck. I jump out of the truck and quickly swap my work shirt for my black hoodie. I’m about to slide my gloves off, but think better of it. If I’m going to be committing a crime, I should leave them on. Grabbing my mask, I make my way to the house through my usual path in the woods. Every snapping twig, crunching leaf, and rock I overturn is too fucking loud. My heart is pounding in my ears and my every exhale sounds like a jet engine getting ready for take off. I’ve abandoned stealth in favour of speed. I need to get to Mallory and ensure her safety more than I need the element of surprise.

I can see two men from my vantage point hidden in the tree line. I dip back into the darkness, opting to take out the piece of shit that’s making his way to the front door of the house. Not only is he more of a threat, but he can’t be seen by whoever is on the side of the house. Which means I can extinguish him without being spotted.

I sneak out of the woods and creep up behind the unknown assailant. My gloved hand covers his mouth, smothering his scream of surprise. He flails and thrashes, trying to shake me off, but he’s weak and his attempts are futile. Leaning in close, I whisper, “You picked the wrong woman to terrorize, asshole. She’s mine.” He stills at the sound of my voice and a calming haze settles over me. I know I’m doing the right thing. Blood spurts as I drive my knife into the base of his skull and twist. Effectively shutting this fucker's lights off for good. I drop his dead ass and pull out my knife. It’s almost an identical replica of the one Ghostface uses to gut a ton of people in the movies. I figured it would make Mallory horny for me since I know she gets wet for the original duo. Pulling off the dead guy’s mask, I see that it’s Ryan. Excellent, that means I can take my time with Edward now.

I see a second car in Mal’s driveway as I’m dragging Ryan’s corpse into the woods. Who the hell is here? She better not be entertaining another guy. Not when I’m the one out here killing people for her. I hang Ryan’s lifeless body over a fallen tree, head down, so as much blood as possible can drain before I have to transport him in the bed of my truck. Content to leave him there, I make my way back around the house to where I last saw Edward.

He’s standing in the exact spot Mallory saw me in last week, no wonder she thought it was me. I see her walk into the room and pick up her phone off the nightstand. She disconnects it from the charger and I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. About time.