Chapter 6: No Safe Haven

Her laughter rattled the windows. I didn’t feel sorry for him—not even a little.

I didn’t help him. I’d waited ten years for this day. People like Hank Marshall deserved to suffer in the tank, eaten alive by bugs. It was his retribution.

I watched from the shadows, heart pounding. Justice, ugly as it was, had finally come.

Though I wanted to chop him up myself, I had more important things to do. The plan had to continue, and Hank was doomed anyway.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what came next.

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While Aunt tortured Dad, I climbed down from the roof.

The shingles scraped my knees, but I barely felt it. My mind was racing.

But as I landed, I kicked a pile of shingles.

The noise echoed through the yard. I froze, heart in my throat.

Crash!

The sound was louder than I expected, drawing Aunt’s attention.

The noise made Aunt rush outside.

She burst through the door, her limbs twitching, eyes blazing.

We locked eyes.

For a moment, time stopped. Her gaze was hungry, hateful.

“It’s Lily…”

Her voice was low, almost affectionate. I knew better than to trust it.

I knew I couldn’t fight a Blood Fiend, but I was ready.

My hands shook, but I gripped the bottle of whiskey tight.

Without a word, I lit a bottle of whiskey and threw it.

The flame caught instantly, roaring to life. Heat washed over me, sweat beading on my forehead.

Boom!

A wall of fire sprang up.

The flames danced, casting monstrous shadows on the ground. Aunt recoiled, hissing.

All venomous things fear fire, and so did she!

Her bugs scattered, crawling away from the heat. I felt a surge of hope.

Sure enough, she didn’t dare approach.

She circled the fire, snarling. I seized my chance.

I ran.

My feet barely touched the ground. I didn’t look back.

I headed north—Grandma lived there. Grandma was no ordinary person; only she could help now.

Her house was the last one on the block, surrounded by wildflowers and old secrets. I prayed she’d be home.

Since Aunt’s corpse started killing, many folks had fled. At night, the place was deserted.

The streetlights flickered, casting long shadows. Every window was dark.

I thought the fire would slow Aunt down, but her power was beyond my expectations.

I heard the hiss of her bugs, the scrape of her limbs, always just behind me.

After a few blocks, the black mist was on my heels.

I could feel it, cold and oily, reaching for my ankles.

Not good!

Panic surged, but I forced myself to think. I needed to lose her.

If I ran in a straight line, I’d never outrun her. I ducked into alleys, scattering sulfur powder to throw off Aunt and her bugs’ sense of smell.

The powder burned my nose, but it worked. The mist thinned, the bugs hesitated.

It worked.

I took a shaky breath, heart pounding. I was almost there.

Aunt lost my trail.

I heard her shriek in frustration, the sound fading behind me.

Familiar with the alleys, I finally reached Grandma’s house.

The porch light was on, casting a warm glow. I nearly sobbed with relief.

“Grandma, help! Help!”

I pounded on the door, voice raw with fear.

Before Grandma could answer, a figure appeared at the end of the alley.

The shape was unmistakable—Aunt, closing in fast.

“Lily, you think those tricks can stop me?”

Her voice was everywhere, echoing off the walls. I backed up, clutching my backpack.

It was Aunt, closing in again.

Her eyes glowed red, her limbs twitching with anticipation.

I looked around and sensed another presence nearby. Aunt wasn’t the only one who’d come.

The air felt charged, electric. I prayed Grandma would answer soon.

I called out, “Aunt, Grady hurt you, your brother forced you. Why are you after me?”

My voice was steady, but my hands shook. I needed to buy time.

Aunt sneered, “Why didn’t you let me out when I was locked up? I always knew you were ungrateful. Since I’m dead, I won’t let you go!”

Her words were venom, meant to wound. I stood my ground.

With that, Aunt charged at me.