Diamond
Amillion scenarios flock to the front of my mind as I shadow the trail of blood up the driveway. There’s only one vehicle in the lot. Finn’s. The black car is exactly where it was when I left for the grocery store.
He’s home.
He’s been home this entire time.
God, what if this blood is his?
Panic blazes through my entire body like lava when I reach the top of the hill, the gruesome scene before my eyes compressing the oxygen out of my lungs.
It’s everywhere.
On the stairs.
On the porch.
On the doormat.
Blood creates a path toward the front door, a bloody handprint smacked in the center of the glass.
Do I go in?
Call the police?
What if someone’s hurt in there?
Oh, God. Lexie.
She’s already so weak and vulnerable.
My pulse shooting up with each step, I reach for the knob, careful not to touch the bloodstains on the door, and push it open. The house is dead silent as I venture into the hall and follow the continuing blood trail into the main areas.
I want to call Finn’s name, or Lexie’s, but I can’t decide if making my presence known to a possible serial killer is the right move. I’ve barely stepped into the kitchen to grab a knife when I look out the window and spot them in the backyard.
Then my soul leaves my body.
I see Finn on his knees on the patio, his shirt, hands, and forearms covered in blood, but the worst part is…
Lexie is lying in his arms.
She’s not moving, blood pouring from her stomach.
No.
Oh, God, no.
“Lexie!” I’m running to Finn’s side in a heartbeat, falling to the ground and scraping my knees against the concrete. My white dress immediately soaks up the blood pooling at my feet.
“Where are your keys?” is the first thing Finn says to me.
His skin is pale, and his eyes are bloodshot.
He’s in shock.
My silence infuriates him. “I said, where are your fucking keys? I can’t find mine. I can’t find my keys. Give me your keys,” he repeats like a crazy person.
Lexie’s still breathing, but barely.