The Crimson Tide

3

KATE

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THE NAME KATE means 'pure' in Latin.

God, I could never.

It's currently 11:00. I'm changing in front of the mirror, finding my best 'recently widowed' clothing. Unfortunately for me, they don't have a section like that in the stores. Shame.

I'm dressed up in a pink button-up dress coat, a navy pencil skirt, and white stockings. A feathered black hat pulls my curls back, and a silver necklace draws the human eye to my neck. It's... ordinary.

It's perfect.

"Kate."

I turn around face to face with Evan, who's eyes are a light bloody red. He must've been getting his hands on Ruben's drugs. He looks disgusting.

"Out."

"Kate—"

"—Please get out."

I lean back against the wall, eyes trailing down the collar of his black and green suit. He lets out a soft sigh, running his big hands through red locks. "Listen, Kate. I know you're worried."

"About what?" I say.

"About the murder you're going to commit!"

"My God! It's not like I haven't killed anyone before!"

Evan shakes his head. "You haven't killed a mother and her child before."

I bite the side of my cheek. I want to enjoy killing that mother. I want to see the horror on her face, the pain of losing your child. I want...

I bite my lip to keep tears from slipping out of my eyes.

"How come I never got a healthy baby, Evan?"

It hurts so much to say. To finally bring it up again. I start to sob, crying for the first time in years.

Instinctively, Evan reaches out, pulling me into a hug. My arms slowly wrap around his waist, and he raises his eyebrows, surprised. My nose picks up the warm, smoky scent of marijuana on his tie.

"I know you're hurting inside, Kate," Evan murmurs in my ear. "You don't have to do any of this, you know."

"What do you mean?"

"We could run away."

"No."

"—What?"

"Are you kiddin'?"

Evan's face falls. His once gleaming eyes turn down. I feel his arms pull off of my neck, and I lift my hands away from his waist. "You're right. I'm high as fuck. This was a stupid idea," He swallows.

"Yeah. It was." I sigh, folding my arms. "I should get ready. We're leaving in an hour."

"Yeah."

I sit down and think for a while after he leaves.

***

The clinic is a block away from Ruben's mansion. My heels are click-clacking on the walkway, making one of the few sounds on the street. Small chirps echo behind me and several voices are humming in the distance.

It's quite calming, you know. Walking at night. At least, it would be calming if I wasn't about to commit a murder. I look up at the road beside me, trying to make out shadows.

Trying to makeout Evan's.

Before leaving, we decided on who would be on watch. Ruben already was to be placed in the car lot. Both Evan and Gil wanted to be my watch.