Bookview Valley 4

Chapter Seventeen: Violent Violet

June 16th, Sunday

"Because...I'm a Skeleton."

"You're a what?" My jaw drops, and I spin around to face Ben. His eyes refuse to meet mine, but instead he keeps staring out the window. My friends behind him have stopped what they're doing and are watching with high alert. I glimpse Nick looking around for a weapon, probably.

"I'm one of the Skeletons," Ben repeats, running a hand through his thick, brown hair.

"What the hell!?" I shout, moving away from him.

"Morgan, please, just hear me out," He holds his hands out in a sense of surrender.

"Why should I listen to anything you say?" I continue to back away, towards my friends.

"I'm the one that killed Vincent."

I pause, the others remain silent behind me, and even Nick has stopped moving, "You killed Vincent?"

"Yes, I was the Skeleton in Nick's house that night. I snapped Vincent's neck. I didn't hurt you."

He has a point, he didn't hurt me. He just left, "So, what? Maybe the Crimson Skeleton had a different plan."

"You think they have a plan?" Ben scoffs, "They told all of us to kill you, and that whoever killed you first would have a wish granted."

"Then what's your wish?" I narrow my eyes. Ben remains silent and I scoff, "Did you even date Dean?" Saying his name again sends a pang of pain through me, but I ignore it.

"Yes, actually," Ben finally looks at me and I can see the hurt in his eyes, "That's why I killed Vincent. I begged him not to hurt Dean, but I never expected that the Crimson Skeleton would."

"And you still follow them," I shake my head in disbelief.

"Yes and no," Ben messes with his hair more, causing it to stick up in weird ways. 

"Explain yourself," I cross my arms.

Ben glances at the barricaded door, "Is this really the time for it?"

"If you want to make it out of this night alive, it is."

Ben sighs, "Okay, fine. My sister, remember? She has a brain tumor."

"You were telling the truth then," I say, my heart being a traitor and feeling sympathy, "Is that why you're doing this?"

"The Crimson Skeleton offered to grant a wish. All I want is for my sister to be able to live a long, healthy life."

"That's actually kind of sweet," I hear Bri murmur from the back. I ignore her.

"So your motive is alright, but you were really willing to kill people, to kill me in exchange?"

"Anything for her," Ben buries his face in his hands, "It's not right, I know that, but I haven't killed a single person here."

"There are two dead people," Harper snaps, "I would beg to differ." 

"That wasn't me," Ben's eyes cut to her, but they show no resentment.

"Then who was it?" I ask, my mind slowly wrapping around what he's saying.

"That would be me," We all spin around to see a very familiar face walk out from behind a dresser. Her violet eyes stare straight into mine, "Hi, Morgan."

"Erin??" I scoff, "Of course you're here. So, you've been killing people. I mean, not that many people. Not so good without your brother, are you?"

Her eyes light up dangerously, "Careful what you say about my brother."

"Or, what?" I cross my arms over my chest, "Are you going to try to kill me?"

My friends part for Erin as she strides over to me; their eyes wide with anticipation of what will happen next. Nick's gripping a lamp, and he seems to hold it tighter. I kind of would like to see him hit Erin over the head with the lamp.

"She probably will try," Ben mutters from beside me.

"Oh, I'll definitely try," Erin grins, the antler knife slides out of her sleeve and she holds it up threateningly, "Are you ready to die?"

"Should we do something?" I hear Harper ask Nick.

"Did you lead us into a trap, Ben?" I ask him, unfazed.

"Uh, not purposefully. I thought she would've left to meet the Crimson Skeleton, but apparently she's still here."

Erin laughs, "That is so a lie!"

I glance at Ben, "It's not, actually." He doesn't seem to be lying.

"Bring it on," I shrug at Erin. She flings herself at me, but I sidestep. She scurries back to her feet, and we stand face to face.

"Your friends are just going to let me kill you."

"For sure," I nod to her, "but at least I have friends. Do you?"

She lets out a roar and pounces again. I shove her arm and she nearly loses her balance, "Did you actually kill anyone when Vincent was alive? Or was that all him? Is that why he was more powerful than you?"

"Shut up!" Erin growls, swiping at me. I block her with my forearm and punch her in the gut.

"You're kind of pathetic," I sigh as she stumbles back, "What do you think the Crimson Skeleton will give you? Especially when Ben tells her it was his plan and she grants his wish?"

"Power," Erin grits her teeth, "and I bet Ben doesn't even have a sister. He's playing you, you know?"

"How would you know?" I taunt as she swipes again. I block and punch, but this time she manages to get a swipe at my arm. I ignore the sting as I step back from her next attack.

"What do you mean how would I know?"

"I mean you guys aren't supposed to know each other, or about each other," I point out, blocking again. This time she lands a punch at my jaw. I notice Nick make a move to walk over, but I wave him off. I don't need their help yet, and I definitely don't want to put them in danger.

"Maybe I do know some stuff," Erin grins, she seems to be analyzing me for her next move.

"She really doesn't," Ben rolls his eyes. He continues to watch our exchange, but there's slight concern in his eyes.

Erin lets out an annoyed huff, "This is getting us nowhere."

"Yeah, because you suck by yourself," I snort.

"Fine," She stops circling me and crosses her arms, "Then I won't be by myself."

"What?" I laugh, "Ben won't help you. At least I don't think he will."

Erin's smile is wicked, "WE'RE HERE!" She follows her words with a piercing scream. Everyone else in the room covers their ears as the sound definitely echoes through the whole house. My eyes widen as I realize what she's done.

There's footsteps, then silence. We all turn slowly to the attic door. There's a knock, then a second one, a third, and then a fourth. Then, without further notice, the door blasts open. Before us stands the one and only, the Crimson Skeleton.

"Fuck," Ben and I mutter at the same time.