SWNOVELS Every Little Breath: Now – Chapter 42
Iwatched her approach the house, tried to pluck up the courage to go inside, and I fed on her fear as she gamely followed my instructions, a complete nervous wreck as she lived through her worst nightmare, terrified that if she didn’t comply, her boyfriend and his family were going to die.
It had all been a lie, of course. I had been here watching her the entire time, but I was impressed by her dedication to Finn and I will be sure to tell her the truth before she dies, I want her to know that it was all a sham, that she drove out here for nothing. That Finn and his family were never in danger, that regardless of what she does, Amanda is going to die.
Amanda was always supposed to be mine to kill.
‘Why are you here, Ricky?’
Casey is still confused, but I think she understands well enough. She is keeping her distance, standing the other side of the workbench, so I know she is fearful of me.
‘Why do you think I’m here, Casey?’
I take a menacing step towards her and she flinches, takes a step back, her arse catching the edge of the desk. She is in shock right now. The trauma of what she has been through tonight, trying to come to terms with the fact that her good friend, Ricky, could be responsible for all the terrible things that have been happening. Probably still clinging to a tiny bit of hope that it’s all a mistake and she has it wrong.
She hasn’t, of course, but it will take her time to absorb that.
We worked so hard and for so long on this, and I followed her, learning everything I could about her as I plotted the best way to insert myself into her life.
Attending the support group she was a member of was a brilliant idea. I knew she would have sympathy for the story I created, that the beating I had suffered from my dad had left me with long-term injuries. I made out that I was nervous and shy and she played right into my hands, taking me under her wing and wanting to protect me.
I knew that her discovery of that basement room, and the trauma of the trial, had left her suspicious of men, that she struggled to form attachments, so to make myself innocuous, I pretended to be gay. If she believed I wasn’t a threat to her sexually, then she might allow me to get close to her. As it turned out, it was an inspired move, as over the last few years I have become an important part of her inner circle.
All those lunches together, the boozy nights where I would crash at her flat. She has trusted me implicitly, let me have a spare key to her apartment, even shared secrets that she didn’t always tell Zoe. It is going to take her a little while to come to terms with the fact it has all been a lie. That while I played along with our friendship, I was dreaming of the day we would finally kill her. That each time she smiled or laughed with me, I was imagining slitting her throat.
Of course, that would be far too easy a death for her. What we have planned is far more horrific.
‘Where’s your walking stick?’
She is backing away from me, which suggests she knows I am a threat to her and I suspect she understands that I want to hurt her, yet here she is, worrying about the fucking stick?
Is this some ploy for time?
I glance down at my legs, feigning shock. ‘Well, will you look at that? I don’t need it. I guess it must be a fucking miracle. You stupid, gullible bitch. You fell for it all.’
Her eyes are wide now with terror and with disbelief. I can see she is still struggling to comprehend what is happening. She flicks a glance at Amanda, who hasn’t moved since I entered the bunker. I think our last session was a little too much for her.
‘You did this. All of this.’ Casey’s voice is quiet, it’s not a question. She is talking more to herself, as she tries to figure it out. I answer anyway, eager to help her along.
‘You have no idea how long I have waited to show you this place. To show you the real Ricky. I have so much–’
She catches me off guard, cold coffee splashing against my face, the shock of it making me gasp and the mug bouncing off the side of my head. It’s not enough to hurt me, but it slows my reactions, giving her a precious second to barrel into me, make me lose my balance, stumbling back into the wall.
And then she is heading towards the steps that lead up to the garden and I am charging after her, my fingers skimming her hair as she tries to make her escape, and all I can think is thank God I closed the hatch, that I wasn’t arrogant enough to leave it open.
I was taught to always take precautions. Never become cocky and leave things to chance.
She is at the top of the stairs now and pounding on the hatch door, desperate to break free, and as I slowly climb up after her, she glances over her shoulder choking back a sob.
When I make a grab for her leg, she kicks out, but my grip is firm and she starts screaming as I drag her down the steps, struggling desperately to break free.
She won’t get away though. I have looked forward to this day for so many years, finally being able to reveal my true self to Casey Fallon and showing her what I am really capable of. I have plotted and planned this in great detail and unfortunately for her, the real nightmare is only just beginning.