Catherine

Chapter II

'Catherine!' My sister Natalie yelled, bursting into the small apartment arms stacked with suitcases and assorted bags.

'Natalie! Dad and I weren't expecting you until Tuesday!' I threw down the novel I was reading and ran over to give her a hug. Our parents had divorced a long time ago, but Natie and I switched parents every summer. Although I was nearly two years younger I had always been the big sister. Natalie, on the other hand, was perfectly happy being the spontaneous crazy little sister. She always did this. Arriving early, that is. Sometimes she arrived as much as a month in advance. Although it always surprised me, I was getting used to it.

'Well, you know me! I couldn't wait to see my sister!' She practically shone with excitement.

'You caught me at a bad time. I was just about to head out. I won't ask if you want to come because I know you won't want to.' I winked to let her know I was teasing.

'That all depends on where you're going...' she trailed off.

'I'm going to the market to pick up some dinner. It looks like I'll have to get you something too.'

She clapped twice. 'Off you go servant! Bring me the food of the gods!'

'Gummy worms it is then.' I laughed and shut the door as I walked out of the small apartment.

That was my last memory of my sister... well the last good memory of her. I came home that evening excited to give her the food I bought her...

'Hey!' I called, locking the door, 'Natalie!? I'm back.'

The lights were off. I felt a shiver shoot through my spine and I knew something was deadly wrong. I went through turning on all of the lights as I went. The light seemed to burn the shadows back, making it easier to stay calm. That manufactured calm was shattered when I saw the figure in the room Natalie and I shared. It was far too broad to be Natalie and their steps were shuffled and slow much unlike Natalie's jumpy gallop. I felt possessed to turn the light on. I felt that if I did, then maybe, just maybe the figure might disappear and I could laugh about this mess. I let one shaky little breath out and flicked on the light.

It was such a simple motion... so innocent. Merely wanting to illuminate the situation I flipped a switch. People talk about those little decisions that mold our futures, but what they don't tell you is that knowledge is dangerous. What you don't know can hurt you, but what you do know will hurt you. It will take the smile you use so freely and crush it with a force so strong that you lose the will to breathe. It turns innocence into disdain and vanity. It turns kindness into cruelty and malevolence. It even turns the most beautiful things into cold, pale, rotten flesh that is as infectious as it is frightening.

Light flooded the space and the mystery figure came into view. I sighed in relief. It was my father, but something red was dripping all over him. It stuck to him and as I followed the blood trickling down his arm my eyes found the knife. Despite the dark blood tightly wound around the blade, it seemed to glow maliciously with devious intentions. It didn't compute. I couldn't accept that my very own father of all people would... Of all people, surely he would never... Behind my father's glasses was an animal-like fury building up awaiting its escape. I backed out of the room, but not soon enough. As I stepped back, I tripped over something which made me fall onto the scratchy carpet. I scrambled to catch my footing, until I felt... hair? My hand was wrapped in silvery blonde hair so similar to... Natalie! I pushed myself up all the way. Natalie was lying in a pool of blood. Her nails dug into the carpet and short shallow breaths rose from her chest. Her eyes bulged and were stained red with blood. "Natalie!" I yelled to my sister. She made no response. She took one final breath and... No! My thoughts cried too loud for my own ears. I screeched an animal howl and clawed at my skin as if I could somehow become free of it. I stared at my sister and made a decision. I slowly got to my feet in a sagging motion letting my torso hang loosely. I looked at the man who was once my father and felt nothing but a frenzy of hate. It was clear what I had to do... no. What he had forced me to do! This was his fault!

I walked up ever so slowly towards him, letting my feet drag across the scarlet floor making trails of blood that were fascinating to me. I looked at him with what I hoped was a look that would haunt his very core. I hoped he saw my resent of his being, his very soul. I smiled and laughed. It was crazed and rough and broken. It was the laugh of someone who wanted to hurt another. The man I no longer recognized backed away... dropping the long knife and holding his hands in front of him shaking with fear. I grabbed the knife. I used it often. It was one from the kitchen. I used it to cut meat into sections so it would be easier to cook. How befitting for him to lose his life to such a tool. I sliced the air... just practicing and he stepped further from me.

If I was angry before, I was boiling now. I could feel the electricity. It pushed me forwards...towards the man. I didn't think anymore. It was a different type of anger. This anger made me feel nothing. I felt as if I could kill anyone in the world and not feel a thing. There was no hesitation as I brought the knife close to his throat and sliced. Immediately, blood began rushing out. It was wet and warm and sticky. It was then, where I found my favorite color. I stabbed again and again wanting more of the beautiful blood to spill. It was red. I smiled.