The Exception

Chapter 13

"What did you do?!" James's shocked voice echoed throughout the room.

"Relax, she's fine," Crystal rolled her eyes, referring to Glenda's body lying on the ground.

James glared at her.

"Help me." He said as he started to drag Glenda's body towards the couch.

"I'm good, thanks." Crystal plopped down in the nearest chair.

James growled under his breath.

"I'm going to kill you."

Crystal was unsure if he was serious or not.

James continued to drag Glenda. He weaved her around the furniture, careful not to hit her head on any chairs or tables. He got to the couch and kind of half-lifted, half-rolled her on the couch.

"What are we going to do?!" he asked.

"I don't know," Crystal responded. She didn't really care, though. Glenda wasn't her problem.

James thought for a second. He didn't seem to know what to do either, and was stressing out over the fact that there wasn't a lot of time left to figure out.

"Listen." He turned to Crystal. "Here's what you're going to do. You're going to at least act like you've changed. Even though obviously you haven't," he bitterly spat.

Crystal smiled, amused at his anger.

James didn't seem to notice, or at least, didn't care. He continued, "I knew that you hadn't changed. I was just saying that to get Glenda to NOT call the police, if that's okay with you. Anyway, you aren't going to do anything like that,"- He pointed to Glenda laying on the couch. -"again. I don't care if you've changed or not. Act like it. And if you step out of line, I swear I'll-"

Crystal stopped listening. She was too focused on the fact that James sounded like a parent lecturing their child to care what he was saying. 

"He needs children," she thought. "So he can lecture them instead of me."

"-because she's the type of person to do that, so just act like a normal human being for ten minutes," James finished. Except Crystal couldn't remember how he started that sentence. Or how many he started before that one.

"Yeah, whatever," is all she said.

Suddenly, they heard movement coming from the living room. James jumped, but Crystal didn't. They both watched as Glenda stood up from the couch, the familiar face of horror spread across her face at the sight of Crystal.

Crystal still loved the sight of it, but she knew that James would do... something, if she messed up. If she "stepped out of line".

"Glenda, listen. Crystal was just messing with you. She's a lot better now, believe me," James said.

Crystal tried not to look at James with complete disgust, because Glenda was watching. Instead, she threw on her best fake smile and said, "Yeah, I was just joking. I'm sorry." The words she spoke made her want to throw up, but James seemed satisfied.

"I don't believe one word of it," Glenda said.

James started, "Seriously, Glenda. She's fine. I just-" but was interrupted by her running towards the door.

Crystal waved her hand behind her back, instantly locking the door.

Glenda pushed against it and screamed, banging on it with all of her strength.