The Murder House

Seven - Death Of A Bachelor

       Kristine told herself on the whole drive up it would be okay, she steeled very nerve she had and even asked Diesel to come meet her outside but she still hesitated in her car. She'd not been in the damned house since the murders and she wasn't sure she was strong enough to go inside. She was about to turn around and go home when the back gate opened and River stuffed some recycling into it, her eyes locking onto Kristine's. River held up a hand in what Kristine could only describe as an anaemic wave, Kristine held her own hand up in greeting and sighed. She'd have to face it some time and she knew River wouldn't go back in without her, no matter how awkward the two were. Once Kristine got out of her flash, expensive car that made Big H look like a great grandfather, River felt the same dread she always did. Kristine was such a woman, a stereotypical put together middle class woman who wore neutral colours and had perfect hair, while River wore band t-shirts with no sleeves that were older than her. Kristine had never been overly nice to River and she knew she had to change, so she plastered a smile on her face and walked over to the gate. "Hello River, you're looking," Kristine tried her best not to look her up and down. "On brand," she decided upon.

"Thanks?" River said noncommittally. "I like your sweater," she said genuinely and it hurt Kristine to hear how sincere she was. Kristine smiled then nervously looked to the house, "should we get your misery over with? Inside is everyone bar Franco and Elton, Ellis is showering. Me motha cooked breakfast so there's vegan options for you too, a made sure to get the nut milk Franco said you like," the more she spoke the more Kristine realised she was trying so hard to make a good impression. River would have continued to ramble on until Kristine gave her a warm practiced smile.

"Thank you River, I'm sorry I haven't come up before today I just couldn't... I... I don't expect you to understand but try see if from my side,"

"A diven't blame you,"

"You, you don't?" She frowned but her forehead didn't move an inch. All her life she was judged for what decisions she chose, and now this young woman was saying she wasn't being judged? It was unheard of, especially to a woman like Kristine who had a old school businessman father and a perfect housewife mother, the shy, academic son. She never truly made it to her fathers expectations of her, nor her own. "How sweet," she said softening ever so slightly. "Before we go in, I must say I didn't expect you to give into Romeo so easily," she said sighing against the back gate. "I thought for sure he'd have to do some romantic thing for you,"

"He did," she said. "He came home for me,"

"Is that... all?" All Kristine's life she was told she wasn't enough or that just showing up wasn't good enough. "God you're very easy to please, maybe I shouldn't have spent two hours choosing a bloody jumper!" She laughed in a way River always saw as Miranda's mother, Penny, from the sitcom Miranda.

"Ah, hah, hah," River looked at her weirdly.

"Maybe I should apologise before we go inside?" Kristine said tenderly as if this was an honour for River. "I have not always been the nicest of woman towards you and your family. Romeo did call last night and make sure I knew my expectations and I do, I do," she held up her hands in surrender, nodding with closed eyes. "I hope to try be more... accepting of your... Northern ways," she lit up when she finished, quite happy that she said something nice.

"Aye, champion," River said turning so Kristine didn't see her smile. She intentionally said the most Geordie thing possible to her in only two words, Kristine steeled herself for what she'd see. The last time she came in here was just to close the windows and lock the doors, she didn't touch anything that she wasn't supposed to. Then she locked the front door and walked away as if she hadn't spent the majority of her teenage and adult years in and around this house. As soon as River walked inside Kristine was transported back in time, but instead of the third and forth victim running to greet her, the first victim cleaning or making cookies or some shit, she was hit with Gorgeous and Fester sat on boxes, Diesel was splayed on his stomach drawing on wood. She stepped in, taking her shoes off as she always did, and stepping down from the nude heels that finished off her outfit. She was terrified, her eyes glued to the two twin bloodstains on the floor but Diesel was up and struggling with his fake leg. She swiftly walked over and knelt down on one knee.