The Ghost Face Murders in Fall River

Ch. 23

Autumn awoke sometime later. Her head still pounded despite the pain medication she had taken before she laid down. She sat up and looked to her kitten, but he wasn't there. He was probably with Danny. Danny... It seemed so strange. That was the name Ghost Face had told her. She never would've thought that it was Jed all along. It made sense though... as bad as it hurt, it made perfect sense. And even after finding out everything and all the things that he had told her... she still wanted him. She feared him now, but she still had love for him.

Autumn got out of bed and went on the search of Danny. She didn't have to look very long, he was in that dreadful room with the door wide open. With caution, she approached the doorway, but she did not go in. Danny was to the left on a step ladder removing photos from the wall. The room was hazy as a cigarette hung from his lip and The Misfits could be heard on low. Autumn spotted Casper in the corner playing with his crinkle ball. She debated on whether she should enter or not, he was furious with her for doing so the first time... and rightly so.

"D-Danny..." Autumn murmured timidly.

Danny turned his head to see her standing in the doorway. "Oh, hi, Auty. Did you sleep well?" he asked taking the cigarette from his mouth.

Autumn nodded. "Yes... C-Can I come in and get Casper?"

Danny didn't even know the kitten was in there, he was too deep in thought as he removed the grizzly photos from the wall. "Yeah, that's fine." He watched as she made her way across the room and over to Casper. She bent down and scooped him up along with his crinkle ball. Autumn didn't leave with the kitten, she lingered to look at the photos on the wall. "You shouldn't look at them."

Autumn looked away from the wall. "I-I just wanted to see the picture of Sk-Skylar again," she replied in the same timid voice as before.

"Does it bother you to see it?" he asked.

Autumn shook her head. "N-No... It's... comforting to see such an aw-awful p-person dead..."

Danny liked that response. He stepped down from the step ladder and put his cigarette in the ashtray. "It was a joy to kill the bastard."

Autumn looked to the wall again, but this time she looked at the photos of Hannah. She had mixed emotions about them. Part of her felt sad and guilty, but the other part of her felt as if she got what she deserved. Hannah was never truly nice to Autumn; she had her times, but it was only when she wanted or needed something. There was one time Autumn skipped buying her medication so that Hannah could eat and pay her phone bill. She had asked Autumn for help and because Autumn was who she was, she gave Hannah money without ever expecting her to pay her back because Autumn knew what it was like to struggle. Hannah ended up ghosting Autumn for a few months afterwards.

"Why don't you take Casper to the living room," Danny suggested.

Autumn turned her attention to Danny who was looking at her with a sternness. "C-Can I st-stay in here with y-you?" Her voice was barely audible.

Danny thought about it for a moment then replied, "No, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Oh, o-okay..." Autumn went to leave, but Danny spoke again.

"Why do you want to stay in here?" he asked.

"I w-want to be with you..."

The expression on Danny's face softened. "Oh, well I'll be quick, okay?"

"Okay."

Danny watched her leave with a twinge of regret. If she wanted to stay with him he should've let her. He just didn't want her around these gruesome photos. At one time he thought it would be thrilling for her to find out about the room, but that was before he became completely infatuated with her. Now, he just wanted them gone. All of his work... His art that he had dedicated a great portion of his life to was going to the flames for the sake of an emotionally disturbed girl that he now loved more than his dark hobby. It hurt to take his work down, but the thought of giving up Autumn hurt more.