The Maple Murders

Chapter 2 - Painted in Crimson.

Sunday, January 8th, 2023.

It had been a little over a month since Ellie's passing. Ash was laying on the disreputable couch in her living room, surrounded by empty coke cans and dirty plates scattered around the room. On the wooden coffee table opposite her sat countless bottles of whiskey, vodka, ash trays and used cigarettes, along with a scruffy notebook, pen and other random accessories. The muffled sound of the TV in the background did little to muffle the silence, but it helped to make time pass quicker.

Ash looked as though she hasn't washed her hair in months. The bags under her eyes had grown ten times heavier and darker.

There was a knock at the door, but Ash wasn't startled this time. She didn't even notice it until someone knocked harder on the window. When she finally realized that someone was there, she sighed and slowly stood up, her head pounding in her skull as the world around her spun. This was probably the first time she had gotten up all day - even though it was already 2 PM.

Ash took a peep through the door's peephole, where she spotted Quinn standing opposite the door. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be her? Despite her hatred, she opened the door.

"Whatcha' want...?" she asked with clear annoyance in her tone.

Quinn's smile wavered when Ash spoke; it was like Ash completely forgot how to socialize after blocking everyone out for so long. Quinn noticed the dirty dressing gown that Ash wore, along with the rough appearance on her face. The strong smell of alcohol and cigarettes emanating from her only added to the picture of neglect and isolation.

"Good afternoon." Quinn spoke in an awkward manner. "I know it's odd timing, but no one has heard from you in weeks... I wanted to check in and make sure things were alright."

"Yeah," Ash answered quickly before attempting to shut the door, but before it could shut, Quinn reached out and stopped the door in its tracks.

"Hold on," Quinn said. "I was wondering if I could step inside and have a quick chat?"

"No," Ash responded firmly.

"Okay," Quinn said. "How about a walk instead?"

Ash paused at the thought. After Ellie's passing, Ash had been thinking of ways to get her revenge on Quinn for failing to save her daughter. The mere thought of Quinn going about her life with impunity after the heartbreaking incident had kept Ash awake during long, sleepless nights. However, the opportunity to get revenge presented itself perfectly.

"Fine," Ash replied, trying to conceal the anger and hatred she held for the woman standing opposite her. She stepped away from the door and said, "I'll go and get ready." This gave Ash a chance to get her emotions in check and prepare herself to put on a mask, which would hide her true feelings towards Quinn.

As Ash quickly shut the door, she felt a small spark of excitement for the first time since Ellie's diagnosis. After brushing her hair and changing out of her pyjamas, she began to search the house for a tool, feeling that this opportunity for revenge would be a perfect way to channel her grief and anger. With a spring in her step, Ash returned to the kitchen and spotted a hammer on the counter. She had used it a few months ago when attempting to repair the kitchen counter, but now it could be used for a much more gruesome job.

"Ready," she shouted to Quinn after hiding the hammer in the bottom of her bag and stepping back outside.

"So..." Quinn began as they walked down the neighbourhood path. "How have you been?"

Ash answered with clear frustration. "Great. Absolutely great," she said bitterly, almost as bitter as the winter afternoon's breeze. Her tone indicated the exact opposite. Quinn looked away in embarrassment at Ash's response. She knew Ash was upset but didn't expect her to lash out at her.