The Maple Murders

Chapter 9 - Comfortable Desolation

1:12 PM.

Emma was still shaken from her interview with the police. She was grateful that the interview was only regarding Quinn's murder, rather than Emma being a suspected murderer. As she exited the meeting room, she wasn't surprised to find Ash waiting for her.

"What was that about?" Ash asked.

"Quinn. None of your concerns."

"Do you have the scalpel I asked you for earlier?" She asked. Emma panicked, knowing that if she admitted to forgetting, Ash would make a big deal out of it. She couldn't give Ash a scalpel, she knew Ash would've used it for something malicious. After all, Ash had a bad temper and wasn't afraid to use force.

"Uh, yeah, it's in my bag," Emma said, hoping that a lie would get her out of the situation. She immediately regretted it, not wanting to add more lies to her already-uncomfortable situation.

"You're going on break, right? Get it for me."

Emma couldn't think of another excuse, so she told the truth. "I'm sorry, Ash, I haven't had the time to go get it."

"Not enough time, huh? I thought I'd be able to trust you with such a small task, but I was proven wrong. It's not like I ask for much, is it... But oh well, lucky me." Ash Nagged.

With her heart racing and her nerves on edge, Emma felt the urge to snap at Ash. She had enough of Ash's constant complaints and nagging, and she just wanted to get away from the hospital and Ash for good. She let out a breath and said, "I'm having a bad day, Ash. Piss off."

"Oh, you think you're having a bad day? I've been having a bad day for the past 6 months, and I'm not sat here complaining about it every two seconds!"

Emma couldn't muster any care for Ash's problems. She just wanted to escape both the hospital and Ash, even if it meant going into hiding.

"On top of that, Anderson gave me a lecture about the staff shortage as if it was my fault!"

"Oh, I don't care, Ash! Just shut up, I've had enough, just leave me alone and I'll do whatever you want!"

The words slipped out of Emma's mouth like soap. She didn't even think about what she was saying, and what she said was a mistake. A costly misstep that left her vulnerable to further manipulation and exploitation, this time with her own consent.

Ash let out a snicker at Emma's sudden outburst before responding in a slightly surprised tone, "Alright then. If that's what you want, I'll just be over here enjoying my time while you go on your little quest. Just make sure you get me the scalpel by seven, okay?"

Despite Emma's harsh words, Ash had a smug and almost amused expression on her face, as if she had gotten what she wanted. She knew that Emma was under her control and would do whatever she told her to. The thought of having such power over someone made Ash feel invincible.

With frustration in her voice, Emma said, "Fine, deal."

Making a deal with Ash felt like making a deal with the devil. In surrendering herself like a captive on an unbreakable chain, Emma had, in essence, traded her soul away to Ash.

Ash took a step forward as if she were about to leave, but then turned around abruptly. "Ah, before I go, don't you dare even think about using that sort of language on me again or you'll find out what silence truly sounds like."

'What does that even mean?!' Emma wondered as Ash walked away. She didn't know how to respond, was that a threat? Because it sent chills down Emma's spine. Her words always do, its like dark magic, taking over Emma's brain like poison after every interaction.