Mute

Finally choosing her

When Perry's body was fully lifeless, he took a breath of relief. He got up normally like he was done with any normal task. He got on the couch and he stared into her eyes. Held the stare for a second then looked away. He was not regretful but the look on her daughter made him remorseful.

Her face was filled with tears and her dress muddled with blood. He wanted to tell her to not be afraid but he thought he would make it worse. He slumped and put his hand to his head. He sat there for a long minute while he organized a plan.

Bursting through the door, Vaughn came in. "I'm gonna give you a chance to explain, but only one." She thought it must be late so no one heard her. She walked closer inside and saw the girl in the hallway. She grabbed her and she saw the mess on her dress. " Oh my, what happened to you girl?" She looked for any marks but the girl had none. She walked a little more to see the chaos that burst into her living room.

Vaughn always imagined Perry lying on her floor but it was in two scenarios: Perry on the floor doing it with Doss or her beating the crap out of Perry. Never, ever this.

She was a fast thinker. She put the girl down and examined her husband. He was less calm than before. He was erratic with his words and every time he tried to form full sentences he failed.

Vaughn gripped his hands tightly. "I'm gonna be here for you baby. Listen to everything I say and we'll be fine."

He nodded his head slightly. He wanted to question her plan, scream and call the cops, Vaughn to have come in just a little before he had done what he did, but what he wanted most of all was to see Perry alive. It was all too late. Perry was lying there on the floor, instead of cuddling with her baby girl. He listed to Vaughn every word. He was gonna get something right tonight. He had to.

Going up the stairs, he left everything in place. Vaughn was devising a plan, Perry was lying there stiff and cold, and the little girl was watching the blood getting closer and closer towards her. She did not flinch. She only held her dolly closer.

Not even 10 minutes later, Doss was back downstairs. He had a poorly packed suitcase and a safe in his hands. He was in a different pair of clothing, having the fresh new clothing smell under the stench of Perry's blood. Vaughn didn't wait for a second to leap over the body to him. She disregarded any guilt towards her. She was happy to have him to herself. She did not look over to the living room. With all this chaos, she only had eyes for Doss.

"We gotta go, no looking back."

"What about the girl"

No response came from Vaughn. She pushed the door open along with her husband. She slammed the door leaving the girl alone with her deceased mother. It was the first time the girl flinched all night.