Page 31 of Little Nightmare

He’d trusted Louis because he was good at his job but also because he was older so my dad didn’t see him as a threat to his daughter’s delicate sensibilities.

When I looked up, Ace had left and I was alone again with the sound of the TV in the background. I tried to find joy in it but as soon as Ace was gone, as soon as I was isolated or felt isolated, my thoughts turned dark.

What was the point?

Was this part of my grief? Constantly battling between severe depression, darkness, and anger? And wondering what the future held? Things were bad before Louis was taken from me, and now it just felt pointless.

Dark.

What if the pizza guy came?

What if he came for me?

I’d be missed.

But did the world really need one more mafia princess?

Did it?

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Being strong was exhausting, just like forcing a smile when your muscles refused to move.

I leaned back against the couch and stared at the TV. I adjusted the way I was sitting, tucking my feet under me when I saw a movement in the screen.

Was someone behind me in the kitchen?

I waited. Nothing happened.

“Ace?” I called.

The light sound of the shower still filled the air, plus, he wouldn’t sneak around behind me just to scare me.

The alarms were still on weren’t they? I would have heard someone walk in. I think I would have, at least.

I reached under the couch for the knife I knew Ace kept there and brought it under the blanket I was sitting with.

I sent a SOS to Ace’s phone hoping he showered with his watch on. The scent of lavender drifted past.

What?

Body wash? Perfume?

Then—arms wrapped around me.

I was dragged backward over the couch, slammed to the floor.

I kicked. Hard. Mask. Hat. No face.

“Get off me!”

They straddled me. Gun to my forehead.

I rolled us. Kicked again.

Knife. Thigh. Slash.

Blood.

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