The Doctor Of East Hadena [MXM] [SERIAL KILLER] ✓

29 | SERIOUS

I'm not sure how long I sit there, covered in blood and surrounded by corpses I created. Curled up in a ball with my eyes clenched shut, Dex's heartbroken face the only thing I can see. Burned into my mind.

I went into this because I was under the impression I was at the end of the road anyway. Dex was catching on, Lucia had always known, and I figured it was only a matter of time. If I'm going to go out, I'd like to at least go out saving Dex. Maybe a really stupid part of me thought that would mean something to him.

I'm starting to wonder if I was really that close to getting caught, though. When I think about it, Dex and Lucia never got any truly solid evidence against me. They never had any hard proof. Also, there was always a part of Dex that doubted himself. He made that clear, so...

Now that it's all over, I can't help but wonder if I may have still had a chance, after all.

I don't know, but it's not like that train of thought is going to get me anywhere. I shouldn't be wasting time, I need to get back to Willow. So, the first thing I do, once I finally build up the strength to get myself out of there, is text her.

Pack your things. I'll be home in an hour.

I'm unable to kill someone and not take my keepsake, so by the time it's all said and done, I'm leaving the estate with eleven eyes. I thought I broke my record before, but look at me now. I don't even investigate the house for clues on the real copycat or anything, I'm just too exhausted. It's a missed opportunity that I'll beat myself up about later, but I can't find it within myself to care at the moment.

The journey home is a blur. I know I stop my facility to shower and change my clothes, so I don't enter my apartment or otherwise walk around in public while covered head to toe in blood. I also need to situate my eyes. I just left the crime scene how it was, because again, the copycat has way more to lose if it's found than I do. Also, I'm going to prison anyway. There isn't a doubt in my mind about that anymore.

Maybe if I'd have said no to tonight, I'd still have a chance. Part of me can't help but blame Lucia for dragging me into it to begin with, but blame won't get me anywhere.

When it comes down to it, it was my choice. I did it, so I'll pay the consequences, and hopefully the extensive time I'm about to spend in prison will remove the image of Dex that is now permanently etched into my head.

I didn't want to grow emotionally attached to him. I tried to be so careful, did everything I could to avoid it, yet here I am. He hates me now, there's no doubt about that, and it hurts. It's always hurt.

By the time I arrive back to my apartment, the events of tonight have thrown me on such an emotional rollercoaster that I feel completely numb. As soon as I walk through the front door Fluffy is there, but I hardly have the energy to acknowledge her. I pet her head, then move on.

Willow is practically in front of me in an instant, hair a mess and eyes red and puffy. She looks worried, and stressed, and I can't help but blame myself for that too. Of all the people she could've ran into after killing her parents, it just had to be me. The one person who would throw her down an even darker path.