Haunted by the Past (Original)

Epilogue

Despite how much I scrubbed at my skin in the shower of my Holiday Inn room, I still could not get rid of the feeling of having a layer of dirt and grime all over. My phone vibrated loudly against the bathroom vanity, pulling me out of the abyss of my mind. Suddenly I became conscious of the fact my arms were now red - on the brink of bleeding - from my obsessive cleaning. Groaning, I threw the washcloth at the bathtub's edge, then rinsed one final time before turning the water off.

<<Are you sure you can't come home?>> My mother had messaged.

I replied with a brief reminder that Sheriff Parkinson wanted me to stay close over the next few days until they finished closing the case. Then I assured her I would stay with them in Middletown, at least until I could figure out what pieces I had left of my previous life. Something told me that being on the run with one of America's most wanted invalidated my work contract. As in, I did not have a job to return to.

Then there was the question of my apartment. As the rent was paid before my absence, there was a chance my landlord would overlook recent events, but as good as it was, I don't think I could stomach returning there knowing Gabe bled out at my door.

Perhaps it was time to start over. New job, new apartment, new life. Glancing in the mirror, I realized it would be hard to not be recognized. Sure with time people would forget, but in the interim, I needed a makeover. Something completely different. Something not me. Not today though. Maybe tomorrow, or the day after that. Not today.

After towel drying, I stepped out into my pseudo-quaint Holiday Inn room. Past me was rolling around in her grave over the thought of staying here, but there was no way in hell I could rent a room at the Crow's Nest Inn after I literally just killed their daughter. While Naomi may have forgiven me, the brief mouthful I received from Meredith's parents made it very clear. I was never welcome on their property ever again. Thankfully Sheriff Parkinson was still nearby and gave me a chance to escape.

"She was going to kill Eli," I tried to calmly explain to Quentin Frost, their father.

He looked me straight in the eye and said, "And she would have done the world a favor!"

Even hours later, his words echoed in my head. Quentin and Elijah wouldn't be the first father and son pair to not get along, but Quentin didn't even flinch at the idea of Eli dying at Meredith's hands. How screwed up was their relationship!? Once upon a time I thought it was all just a big misunderstanding between them that could be resolved. Now I was convinced that their father-son relationship wasn't worth saving. Eli was better off without him.

I sat down on my bed and lifted my tablet. When I had first walked into my room, I spent the first few hours in a mad rush trying to find everything posted by 666reborn online and downloading it before everything was taken down. Shortly after midnight, her posts vanished, but I was convinced I had saved everything essential. In that limited time, I did notice she had frequent interactions with the same users. While as Sheriff Parkinson pointed out, Meredith may not have mentioned anything about her mentor in her public posts, she may have spoken about him in private to online friends. None of them were likely going to help police, but perhaps I could encourage them to assist on the premise of getting revenge for her death. I would have to play my cards carefully though, lest I reveal that I was the one who actually shot her. First I would need to read and study all of Meredith's posts. Just not today.

Lying back onto the bed, letting my body sink into the spring mattress, I was reminded that I had not actually slept for over 36 hours and that my body was still worn out from my recovery. My entire body felt too heavy to move. Even my hands felt like they were holding up the weight of the world. I let my hands fall to my side and even though the lamp was still on, I succumbed to sleep's sweet embrace.

~~

Leaves rustled with a gentle wind. Normally it would be calming, but the unnatural volume made it feel like the forest was screaming. Looking all around, I couldn't work out where I was until I heard her clear her throat.

Turning around I spotted her sitting on her ankles waiting expectantly for me. While the physical distance between us was only a few feet, it felt like miles. Blood dripped from the spot in the middle of her forehead down between her eyes, but she did not seem to notice. She was more focused on me.

"What? It's my turn, isn't it?" Meredith smirked.

I groaned, "Can't my subconscious give me a break for one day!?"

She clicked her tongue, "Just promise me it's not going to take you six more years."

~~

The pounding at my door woke me up with a start. I jumped up, grabbed the hotel bathrobe from the closet and wrapped it tight around me, then answered the door.

"Sheriff Parkinson?" I did a double take.

"Good, you're safe," he sighed. "Can you respond to your phone every once in a while?"

"Sorry, I was sleeping," I explained in confusion. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Parkinson gestured to the man beside him, "Dani, meet your new friend, Officer Raine. Officer Raine will be keeping you company today until the night shift takes over."

"Parkinson," I narrowed my eyes. "What are you not telling me?"

Parkinson let out a heavy sigh, "Lorraine and Caitlyn Carmichael were found deceased in their home just before noon today."

Blood drained from my head, "W-what? Why? I thought- I thought he was going to fight the accusations."

Parkinson shrugged, "At any rate, Henry Carmichael is currently MIA. No matter the circumstance, we have to consider your safety. We would like to move you to safe house."

While my head was spinning trying to make sense of it all, I nodded in agreement. Just as I stepped back from the door, it hit me. "Victim five and six."

"Sorry?" Parkinson leaned in.

"Oh, it's just Triple-6 always works in sixes. As soon as he had six victims six years ago, he stopped. Eli and I were meant to be victims five and six," I processed out loud. "Meredith was killed in place of Cameron, but there were still two victims to go before this cycle could end."

"Dani, this doesn't fit his M.O.," Parkinson pointed out. "No marking on the door. No kidnapping. No set up."

"What are you suggesting?" I frowned. "That someone else killed them? For what? Revenge?"

Parkinson shifted his weight uncomfortably. "Let's not forget there is one more player in all of this that is also MIA."

"You think- You think Eli had something to do with it!?" I did a double take. "No! Absolutely not!"

Parkinson arched an eyebrow. "Eli, a man with severely tainted morality just learned that another man drove his sister to insanity. Remind me, how does the yakuza handle its business?"

I tore my gaze away, unable to look Parkinson in the eye any longer. I didn't need to be near Eli to know he was angry and confused. I could feel it in my veins. Would he be so furious as to take it out on Henry's family?

"How did they die?" I questioned.

"Single gunshot wounds to the heads," Parkinson admitted. Exactly how the yakuza handles its business. "Think about it Dani, Triple-6 or not the situation is extremely volatile. You don't want to be caught up in a feud. Please go with Officer Raine to our safe house until things calm down."

"Define calm," I pushed.

Parkinson rolled his eyes, "We can discuss moving you into witness protection later. Safe house now."

Witness protection? New name, new job, new city, new life? No more Triple-6? It sounded like music to my ears.

I smiled, "Give me five minutes."

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