Backwards Into Hell

Part One: The Lodge

Monday 25th October

Just as before, Lily was in her room. Except this time, pop music floated down the hall and I breathed in deep. I could almost smell her perfume.

While I hovered outside the door, painfully planning my first words, a rumble came from the stairs.

'Wait!' Delilah rushed down the hall.

'What?' I kept my voice low and stepped back from the door.

'I need to show you something.'

'Corrie? Can't it wait?'

With my luck, Delilah would stop everyone from leaving The Lodge until the Harriet was stumbled upon, and I'd rather explore more of the Island first.

'It's something else.' Her face was dark. 'Come on.'

At this point, I was confused, because this wasn't how people acted when they were about to show you an episode of their favourite soap. Delilah was sweating as she dragged me to my room.

I sat on the bed but she didn't join me, preferring to keep by the door, ready to bolt. Not a good sign. Finally, with eyes like Harriet's had been, she took a breath and said,

'I know.'

My stomach churned. 'Know what?'

This could still be something innocent.

'What you did.'

'And what exactly did I do?' I wished I were a better actor.

'Last night...' Delilah began to pace, using her hands erratically as she spoke, and maybe doubting if she should finish the story. 'I heard noises and came downstairs, and, I mean, I needed water anyway, but you were outside and—and the kitchen.'

She gulped unevenly. Why tell me this? Why go directly to the murderer?

'It was Harriet's blood, wasn't it?' she said. 'What happened to her?'

I leaned back, trying to put her at ease and took a long, slow breath.

'Why are you here?' I asked.

My face was like a stone and hers lit up with terror as the understanding passed between us. My question, though perfectly innocent, had answered hers by the way it was asked. I couldn't hurt her, could I? She was so young, so innocent, so pretty...

'Money.' She crossed her arms. It was a good act, but an act nonetheless, and I watched as she squeezed her hands into tight balls to stop them from shaking.

Seeing her so scared should have sent shivers down my spine. Except it didn't. Her fear was like a drug.

'I took pictures of everything—' she dragged a phone from her pocket— 'and it's backed up.'

That changed things. A flicker of nerves—no, they weren't nerves—a flicker of anger ignited in my chest.

'Look I won't tell anyone,' she said, giving a slight pause. 'I just need cash.'

'What for?'

Delilah was waiting for me to ask how much, but even then I knew then that wouldn't be important. This trip had already taken my last pennies.

'I just... I need it.'

'What for?' I strengthened my voice.

She flinched.

In a way, it was lucky Delilah had come to me. If she hadn't needed money and told the others, I would have been lynched before I'd gotten going.

'Debts.' She looked at the floor, ashamed.