Insane - Who Are You To Judge? (Gripping Psychological Thriller)

Them

"I've been watching you for years, working on my case, trying to figure out who I am. Granted, I didn't realise it was you for a good few years, but when I did and I started getting these letters? You didn't even cross my mind. Props to you, you really are a great actor – you fooled me. And then I remembered..."

"James..." Mum warned me. I kept jumping out of bed and running into the closet. "Come on, honey. It's time for bed."

"I can't believe I have to share a room with my seven-year-old brother – I'm fourteen! It's just embarrassing."

"Ave, come on, can you be a little more accommodating? It's only until the renovations have been done, okay?"

Avery groaned and turned away from her, facing the wall. Mum turned back to me.

"Now, James, why don't you and I sing the song we learnt today?"

"Yes, yay! Okay...hickory dickory dock, the mouse runs up the clock..." I began, waiting for Mum to join in.

"The clock strikes one..."

"The mouse runs down!" I shrieked. "Hickory dickory dock."

Mum smiled at me, kissing my forehead and wishing me goodnight.

I snuggled up with my new teddy, closed my eyes and started falling asleep.

A few minutes later, I heard Avery roll over, lean towards me and whisper, "the mouse never comes down."

I watch her as she runs her fingers along the wooden column. "I can't believe this is still here," she remarks.

I don't need to see to know what she is referring to. As I see her trace the line she once carved, I feel the rage surging up my spine. "You killed them!" I burst. "You killed them and you were going to kill me! You planned it all out, it wasn't in the moment, it was all planned out. You went to a sleepover, you snuck back in in the middle of the night...Why? Why would you do that? What did they ever do but love you? What did I ever do to you?"

She shakes her head and sighs, "They didn't do anything to me, James. The thought was always floating around in the back of my mind and frankly, I just wanted to know what it would feel like. And you know what? It was amazing. As for you, you were more just to finish off the tale – I've never liked loose ends." She glances down. "But, I was inexperienced back then, I hadn't quite established what I did and didn't like – that's why I left you. I didn't think that Baby Bear needed to die as well. Well, I did sort of complete the tale, I suppose..."

I hold back tears as I remember. I don't look at her – I can't. I just go into my pocket and pull out the picture. The picture of Mum, Dad and Lucy. One tear manages to escape my blockade and trickles down my cheek. I am quick to wipe it away. She can't see me being weak.

She approaches me slightly to get a better view of the photo. "That really hurts, James, why would you cut me out? That's just really rude."

I sniffle and collect myself again. When I can muster the strength, I stare her straight in the eyes and smile. "You think you've got it all figured out, don't you? You think you're so goddamn smart. You didn't see this coming, though."

Once I finish talking, a silhouette appears in the doorway behind her.