I laughed, tears falling.
L
I tried to wipe them away, but the handcuffs
stopped me.
Dr. Evans gave me a tissue, wiping my tears.
I thanked her.
I kept going, “Mrs. Davies gave me money.
Said it was from the videos. I’d get money
every month.”
“It was a fortune.”
“Mrs. Davies gave it to me like a handout. I
said I didn’t want to do it anymore. To let me
go.”
“I wouldn’t go to college. I’d work in a factory,
where no one knew me.”
L
Mrs. Davies laughed. “You think you can get
away now?”
“I’ll find you. If you run, I’ll put your videos on
the biggest screen in town.”
“How many people will recognize you?”
Dr. Evans covered her face, crying. “That
monster.”
I chuckled softly. “I got my revenge.”
“I’m free, right?”
“I used the money to buy gunpowder. I
learned how to make bombs. Practiced in the
woods.”
love blow stuff up in the weeds
WOUUS.
“We always blow stuff up in the woods, so no
one noticed.”
“I made sure the blast would kill those forty
people but not hurt anyone else.”
“I got to Mrs. Davies‘ house an hour early.”
“I planted the bombs. Under the table, on the
couch, in the bathroom, the kitchen.”
“I wanted to stay and die with them.”
“But their blood was dirty. When they told me
to get beer, I left.”
“I blew the place up and went back to make sure everyone was dead. Then I called the
everything. Nothing left.”
“I told you my secrets.”
“I don’t want a lighter sentence. There’s no
place for me.‘
I took a deep breath.
Harding’s ashtray was full of cigarette butts.
He frowned.
“Ashley, even if we want to help you, we
can’t.”
I shook my head. “I said, just close the case.”
Dr. Evans looked at me, crying. “It’s my fault.
As a psychologist, I didn’t see how much you
were suffering.”
<
I shook my head. “It’s not your fault, Dr.
Evans. You’re the only good thing about that
school.”
“What do you want? I’ll get it for you.”
Harding sighed. “Maybe there’s still hope?”
But I saw the look on his face.
He knew the impact, the evil of what
happened.
Then, I heard a protest outside.
Cries and shouts came through the window.
“Kill her! Ashley is a murderer! Kill her!”
“Don’t let Ashley go! My son was innocent!”
く
“Death! Death! Execute her now!”
A cop closed the window, blocking the noise.
I smiled. “See? Even if you want to help, the
families won’t let you.”
“It’s over.”
Everyone was quiet, looking down.
Then Harding unlocked my handcuffs. He
wasn’t supposed to, but no one stopped him.
I rubbed my wrists, thanking Harding.
“After I’m gone, tell my story.”
“That’s the best thing.”
L
“Delete those videos from Mrs. Davies‘ phone
and close the account. I want to go clean.”
No one spoke.
Harding stood up. He was serious. “I’ll try.
You confessed and have a good reason…”
I shook my head.
Dr. Evans stood up. “Honey? Is there anything
you want? I’ll do it.”
I smiled. “There is.”
I took out a necklace. “My grandma gave me
this. I always wear it, even when I was broke.”
“I was going to take her to college.”
く
“That was her dream. After I die, this is all
that’s left of us.”
“Can you take it to college for me?”
“I broke her dream.”
Dr. Evans cried, grabbing the necklace. “I’ll
take you to college.”
Harding came back, looking grim.
It didn’t go well. I smiled.
