Chapter 16

Ryan sat bolt upright. Her eyes scanning the darkness of Leah’s bedroom. Finding the alarm clock, she swore under her breath as she got out of bed, and switched on the small lamp on the nightstand.

“What’s wrong?” A groggy Leah sat up, rubbing at her eyes.

Ryan hurriedly grabbed her previously discarded clothes from the floor. “It’s eight forty five.”

Leah glanced at the clock. “So? You got a hot date?” She joked.

Ryan didn’t respond as she pulled her slacks on, patting at the front pockets with her hands. “Crap. Where’s my phone?”

Leah ran her hand through her tousled hair as she tossed the sheet back. Ryan glanced up, and came to a full stop. “Please. I’m running late to meet Carol, and if you just sit there naked and gorgeous, she’s going to just sit at that hotel bar waiting.”

Leah smiled, stood up and walked toward Ryan, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I want to help you find your phone.”

Ryan held her hands out in front of her. “Thanks, but I can manage.”

Leah feigned a pout, and pulled a half dressed Ryan into her arms. “Do you want me to come into town later? I could stay over.”

Ryan, the upper half of her body still naked, was having trouble focusing with Leah’s breasts pressed to hers. “Ah, I – no, I can come back. Greg and Nic are dating, and they are a little unbearable in that classic honeymoon phase euphoria sort of way.”

“I didn’t realize they were together.” Leah kissed Ryan on the shoulder.

Ryan moaned, and with all the strength she had, stepped back from Leah. “Just started dating, and god help me if it goes badly.” She bent over and grabbed her bra and blouse.

“God help you?” Leah frowned.

“I’ve gone through many of Nic’s break-ups, but never one that would hit so close to home, so to speak.” Ryan was having trouble buttoning her blouse, her hands trembling as she forced back the urge to crawl back into bed with Leah.

Stepping forward, Leah straightened Ryan’s blouse, and slowly began buttoning it. “Maybe it will work out.”

Ryan looked down at Leah’s slender fingers as they slipped one button after another into their buttonholes. “I hope so.”

Fastening the last button, Leah leaned in and kissed Ryan’s cheek. “How long will you be gone?”

“I should be back around twelve. Is that too late?” Ryan, feeling more confident in her self-restraint, wrapped her arm around the small of Leah’s bare lower back.

“I’ll be here.” Leah gave Ryan a quick kiss on the lips. “You should go now though.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “In such a hurry to get rid of me?”

Leah chewed nervously on the inside of her lower lip. “The opposite. If you don’t leave now, I’ll really owe Carol an apology.”

Ryan chuckled. “We both will.” Turning to leave the bedroom, Ryan nearly stepped on her phone. Bending to pick it up, she frowned. “Perfect. It’s dead.”

“You can use mine if you want to let her know you’re running late.” Leah walked past her, and into the living room.

“That’s funny. You think I know her number? Anyone’s number for that matter?” Ryan tucked the phone in her pant pocket.

Reaching into her purse, Leah stopped. “I know your number.”

Ryan blushed, and closing the space between her and Leah, pulled her into a tight hug. “You’re just a better person than me.”

Leah smiled against the side of Ryan’s neck. “I think it’s a generational thing.”

Ryan leaned back. “Are you saying I’m young?”

“No – I’m old.” Leah cupped Ryan’s cheek in her hand.

“You’re pretty hot for an old woman.” Ryan turned her lips to Leah’s warm palm.

Leah’s gaze wandered along the smooth skin of Ryan’s face, the definition of her jaw, and came to rest on the fullness of her lips. “I wish I had met you sooner.”

Ryan’s expression grew serious. “I would have been a minor, and I hate to think of you in jail.”

Leah tisked, and playfully pinched Ryan’s upper arm. “Awful joke.”

Ryan practically giggled as she opened the door. “You’ll still be naked when I get back.” She stated.

“Clearly, as that was not in the form of a question.” Leah smiled. “Be safe.”

Ryan nodded, shut the door, and quickly walked to her car.

***

“Am I dead to you?” Ryan rushed toward Carol, who sat at the Monaco’s bar, a half empty gin and tonic in front of her.

The Monaco hotel was a mid-size boutique hotel in downtown Baltimore near the Inner Harbor. It was located in the renovated B&O Railroad Headquarters, and the entire hotel was designed in the style of America’s gilded age with elaborate frescos and murals throughout the lobby, accented by 1900 style furniture.

Carol pivoted on the bar stool. “I was more worried you were dead somewhere. Your phone kept going straight to voicemail.” She slid off the stool, and gave Ryan a brief peck on the cheek.

Sitting down, Ryan shook her head. “I’m sorry. My phone is dead, and I couldn’t find my car charger.”

“Your work meeting ran late?” Carol sat back down, and waved the bartender over.

“Yeah.” Ryan had no plans to discuss Leah with Carol. She realized she was still feeling a little raw over Carol running to Lucy to gossip about her and Leah.

“Are you still loving the job?” Carol asked.

Ryan nodded. “I am.”

“What can I get you?” The bartender, who was an attractive twenty-something brunette, smiled warmly at Ryan.

“Oh, ah – Natty Boh, please.”

“I only have that canned. Is that okay?” The bartender offered.

“Sure, and don’t worry about the glass.”

The brunette grinned. “Awesome.”

Carol looked at Ryan, and then watched as the bartender walked toward the far end of the bar. “She’s flirting with you.”

Ryan glanced toward the attractive woman. “Is she?”

Carol nodded. “I got the perfunctory yes miss. You got awesome.”

Ryan tilted her head back, and stretched her neck from side-to-side. “She clearly prefers beer to gin.”

Carol chuckled. “Whatever.”

The bartender returned with an open can of Natty Boh. “Let me know if you need anything else.” She looked at Carol. “Can I get you another Tanqueray and tonic, miss?”

Carol shook her head. “I’m good for now. She needs to catchup.”

The bartender smiled. “Check.”

Carol waited until the woman was out of earshot. “See? Miss.”

“You’re silly.” Ryan took a drink of her beer. “What brings you back to Baltimore so soon?”

“The whole family is here, actually.” Carol smiled. “Mother wants us all to do lunch tomorrow if you’re available.”

Ryan shook her head. “I’m busy. Why are they here?” The fact her cousin hadn’t really answered her question wasn’t lost on Ryan.

Carol took a long drink of her gin and tonic, nearly emptying the remainder of the glass. “Something to do with business. You know they can be vague. I was just happy to have another chance to see you.” She smiled, raising her glass toward Ryan. “Cheers.”

Ryan lifted her can of beer. “Cheers, and I’m happy to see you too.” She smiled.

“Speaking of seeing people.” Carol’s gaze was focused on her glass as she ran her finger along its rim. “Are you still seeing Leah?”

Ryan paused mid drink, and put the can of beer down on the bar. “That was a seamless segue.”

Carol smirked. “I thought so.”

In spite of the rest of the family’s penchant for secrets, and Carol’s for gossip, Ryan and Carol had never been particularly good at keeping them from one another. “I’m still seeing Leah. Nothing too serious.” Ryan still felt cautious in spite of her and Carol’s history together. A twinge of guilt tinted her white lie, but she was resolved to maintain the half-truth.

Carol emptied her glass, and gestured for the bartender to bring her another drink. “She nearly killed my father.”

Ryan coughed. Her last drink of beer caught at the back of her throat with Carol’s words. “What?!”

The bartender placed a fresh drink in front of Carol, and seeing Ryan coughing, quickly handed her a small black cocktail napkin. “Are you okay? Would you like some water?”

Ryan shook her head, her voice strained. “I’m good. Thanks.”

The bartender hesitated. “Okay. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Ryan managed a nod, and after another short cough, turned her attention to Carol. “What are you talking about?”

Carol’s eyes filled with tears. “When we were here last, she and my parents got into an altercation, and she burned my father’s arm.” Carol reached across the bar, and retrieved a cocktail napkin from the bar caddy. Wiping her eyes, she took several deep breaths. “I didn’t even know if I should tell you, but if you’re still seeing her, I can’t just say nothing.”

Ryan’s heart was racing, her face felt hot, and she was having trouble catching her breath. “How could Leah nearly kill Derek?”

Carol blew her noise quietly, and discreetly tucked the folded napkin into her front pant pocket. “You have to know. I mean, if I know, you must know.”

Ryan wasn’t sure how to play this game. She was truly distressed to see Carol so upset, but she didn’t want to say too much, and inadvertently expose Carol or Leah to harm. “What should I know?”

Carol chuckled, but her eyes narrowing as she turned to Ryan. “Are you feeling me out, Ryan?”

Ryan stiffened at Carol’s use of her first name. It was a small thing, but the formality of it immediately put Ryan on the defensive. “Why would I be doing that?”

Carol emptied her drink, and grabbing another napkin, wiped her mouth. “I’m so scared for you, and you being with her.”

Ryan gently touched Carol’s shoulder, trying to reassure the woman. “Let’s just take a second here. What are you talking about?”

Carol pivoted on the bar stool so she was facing Ryan. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke. “She’s a witch, or whatever the hell you want to call it.”

Ryan focused on keeping her face expressionless. “Who told you that?”

Carol’s expression softened, and she took Ryan’s hand in hers. “I know everything.”

Ryan leaned back. She was still unwilling to show her hand. “What do you know?”

Carol sighed heavily. “I can’t believe you’re doing this? Lying to me by omission.” Carol released Ryan’s hand. “We have always been honest with each other.”

The years of managing the chaos of their upbringing together, and the countless moments they had confided and consoled one another came rushing back to Ryan. “I know who Leah is, and I know about the two families. I just didn’t think you would ever know.”

Carol frowned. “Why wouldn’t I know?”

Ryan glanced around to ensure no one was listening. “Andrew is the first born, and I figured you wouldn’t ever have to know.”

Carol shook her head. “Andrew is a putz and can barely stand upright with all that sneezing when he’s around Leah.”

Ryan was shocked to hear Carol speak so casually about the situation. “How long have you known?”

“Not too long. I don’t think my mother meant to tell me. But after the last visit and Andrew’s – shortcomings, and when I saw the scarring on my father’s arm – she didn’t really have a choice.”

“I don’t know about any burns.” Ryan insisted.

“Leah can’t control her powers, Ryan.” Carol whispered. “My parents were trying to talk some sense into her about your relationship with her, and then she attacked my father.”

The doubt Ryan had when Lucy had talked so crassly about Leah’s affinity for the Myers women was nowhere to be found in this moment with Carol. She was confident in what she knew about Leah, and who the woman she loved was.

“I’ve seen her powers, and I assure you she is in complete control.” Ryan reached for Carol’s hand, and a twinge of hurt shot through her when the woman pulled away.

“Then she willfully attacked my father.” Carol voice was cold, and it reminded Ryan too much of Lucy’s.

“Or she was defending herself.” The spokes of indignity began to spin inside Ryan, and she was not going to sit idly by while Carol trampled over Leah with her lies and misconceptions. Ryan’s breath caught as the memory of Leah’s bruises that first time they were together, and her insistence it had been a car accident popped into Ryan’s head.

“You’re defending her?” Carol hissed.

Ryan could count on one hand the number of arguments she and Carol had over the years. She could tell from the intensity in Carol’s eyes and the harshness of her voice, this was going to be the worst. “I’m just asking you to be open to the idea there may be another explanation.”

“Look, you know I’m not the biggest fan of my family, but if you had seen the look on my mother’s face, and the scar on my father’s arm, you wouldn’t be defending her.” Carol pointed to her own forearm as she spoke. “They were third degree burns!”

Can you make it hotter? The answer to the question she had poised to Leah was suddenly quantified. “Leah was black and blue too, Carol. I saw her the next day.”

Carol shook her head, her eyes focused on the bar. “My mother explained that they had to forcibly remove Leah from my father, or she would have killed him.”

Ryan slumped in the bar stool, unsure what she could say that would convince Carol of Leah’s true nature and intentions. “You’ve made up your mind about this?”

Once again, Carol’s eyes filled with tears. “So have you.”

Ryan placed her hand on Carol’s shoulder. “I know what I know, but this crap doesn’t have to come between us.” Tears pushed at the back of Ryan’s eyes, the thought of losing Carol stabbing at her heart. “You’re my best friend.”

A muffled sob escaped Carol, and she covered her mouth with her hand as she struggled to maintain her composure. “You’re my best friend too.”

Ryan stood, and wrapped her arms around Carol’s shoulders. “Then let’s figure this out. Together.”

To Ryan’s relief, Carol didn’t pull away from her. She wrapped her arms tightly around Ryan. “I love you.”

Ryan leaned back, her own tears finally coming. Smiling, she wiped at her face with the palm of her hand, seeing several fellow bar patrons warily looking at her and Carol. “We’ve made a scene.”

Carol pulled away, and wiped at her own tears. “Perfect.”

“Should we get a bottle of something really strong, and go up to your room?” Ryan was feeling relieved that she and Carol were turning a corner, and they weren’t going to let their family’s history destroy their relationship.

Carol hesitated, unable to make eye contact with Ryan. “I did something.”

Ryan’s relief from a moment ago evaporated with the dread in Carol’s voice. “What did you do?”

Carol winced. “When you were running so late, and knowing what I knew – or thought I knew – I called my mother.”

Ryan’s eyes widened. “What?!”

Carol finally looked up at Ryan. “I told her I thought your meeting was really a date with Leah, and that I was scared for you.”

Ryan grabbed her car keys and wallet. “I have to go.”

Carol followed Ryan out of the bar. “Where are you going? I’m sure once they realized you weren’t there, they’ll just leave.”

Ryan handed her valet ticket to the attendant. “Please hurry.” She instructed the man.

“Ryan, you’re being ridiculous.” Carol was pleading with her. “Let me call my mother, and she can –”

Ryan turned. Her fear for Leah’s safety, and her anger over her cousin’s actions fueling the harshness of her words. “You have no idea what you’ve done! You’ve put Leah’s life at risk.” Ryan stepped off the curb as the valet pulled forward with her car. “Leah is no killer, Carol. We’re the killers! Our family has massacred and shredded our way through history, and you’ve just set the hounds after the fox.”

Leaving a stunned Carol on the curbside, Ryan quickly navigated her car out of downtown Baltimore. Once on the highway, she accelerated to eighty miles an hour as she sped towards Leah’s house.

***

Ryan maneuvered her Honda up the narrow road leading to Leah’s house. It was ten thirty, and with the exception of the porch light, Leah’s house was cloaked in darkness. It was so dark Ryan almost didn’t see the black Lincoln Town Car parked off the left side of the driveway.

Having her suspicions confirmed that Lucy, and more than likely Derek, were in fact at Leah’s, sent a shiver up Ryan’s back. Ryan fought to control the panic that began swelling up in her chest.

Pulling the Honda in behind Leah’s Nissan, Ryan put her car in park, and opened the door. Confused as to where everyone was, Ryan cocked her head to the side, listening for any signs of movement. The sound of the Patapsco River that ran along the bottom of the shallow valley near Leah’s house was all Ryan heard.

Ryan walked around to the covered porch as she tucked her car keys into the front pocket of her pants. Putting her ear to the door, she didn’t hear any movement in the house. Deciding against knocking, she walked along the side of the house toward what was actually the front door.

Rounding the front corner of the building, Ryan saw movement out of the corner of her eye. A split second later a sharp pain shot along her jawline, her ear began to ring, and Ryan’s knees buckled under her.

Ryan heard voices, and in spite of her best efforts, she couldn’t force her eyes open. Ryan wasn’t sure how long she had been unconscious having been hit with something or by someone.

The taste of bile and blood burned the back of her throat. Ryan turned her head, intending to spit the vile mix from her mouth, but the air was knocked out of her as a foot kicked into her stomach.

“Andrew! Goddamnit, I told you to watch her. Not kick the shit out of her.” Ryan heard Derek’s voice coming from somewhere in the distance. She was still dazed, and her uncle sounded as if he were yelling under water.

“She moved.” Andrew was looming over Ryan. Ryan still couldn’t open her eyes all the way, she managed to make out a muddied pair of black leather loafers inches from her face.

“Andrew, she’s family. Don’t you hurt her!” Lucy’s nasally voice pulled Ryan fully back into consciousness.

Rolling over, Ryan couldn’t move her hands from behind her back, and realized they were bound behind her. “Andrew, untie me. Please.”

“She’s awake.” Andrew shouted.

“That’s fine. Make her comfortable. We’ll be done here shortly.” Lucy shouted back.

Andrew knelt next to Ryan. “Give us ten, cuz. We should be done with that bitch shortly.”

Ryan jerked her gaze toward Lucy and Derek’s voices, her eyes wide as she still struggled to focus.

Ryan’s stomach twisted and soured. The bile at the back of her throat was threatening to come up. She was lying in a small clearing she assumed was somewhere near Leah’s house. A large fire burned near the tree line farthest from Ryan. Tied to a tree near the fire, her hands and legs bound, was a bloody and bruised Leah.

Leah was wearing a pair of black cotton shorts and a torn gray t-shirt. Her blonde hair was matted to one side of her head with what looked like dried blood. A thick black leather strap stretched across her mouth, blood running from either corner as the strap dug into her mouth. Leah’s eyes were wide with fear, her cheeks stained with tears as she stared helplessly at Ryan.

“Aunt Lucy! What are you doing?” Ryan shouted as she rolled over to her knees. “Stop!”

A sharp stab of pain shot out from the back of Ryan’s head has Andrew grabbed her by the hair. “Be quiet!” The man shouted in Ryan’s ear.

Lucy and Derek stood near the fire, and hearing Ryan, the woman turned and slowly walked toward her niece. Ryan thought it perverse that in spite of the horrific scene, her aunt was dressed impeccably in a pair of brown slacks, tan Cole Haan heels, and a light beige cashmere shawl draped over her shoulders. The diamonds of her Cartier tennis bracelet were sparkling in the fire light.

“Quiet down. We’re nearly finished.” Lucy crouched in front of Ryan. “I had wanted to spare you this, but damn that Myers constitution, you just woke up too soon.”

Ryan shook her head, and finally in an upright positon, spat the blood that had been pooling in her mouth to the ground. “Please, don’t do this. It’s murder.”

Lucy stood up and looked down at her niece, a faint smile on her lips. “It’s justice.”

Ryan looked at Leah, and then back at her aunt. “What are you talking about? She hasn’t done anything to you – to anyone.”

Lucy laughed, the shrillness of it echoing through the valley below. “You have no idea what she’s done.” Lucy nodded at Andrew, and the man grabbed Ryan by the arms and pulled her to her feet.

Ryan’s shoulders ached from being bent back at an awkward angle, and she winced as Andrew jostled her back and forth. “That hurts!” She turned her head to the side, trying to make eye contact with her cousin. “Stop it!”

Andrew wrenched Ryan back against him, his breath hot on the back of her neck as flecks of the man’s spit peppered Ryan’s skin. “I’ve never liked you, Ryan. I don’t trust any woman who doesn’t take a cock now and again.”

“Andrew!” Lucy yelled. “Watch your language, and move her over towards the fire. She’s awake now, she may as well witness this.”

Andrew shoved Ryan forward, his hands still holding the rope around her wrists. “You heard her. Move!”

Ryan stumbled forward, the uneven terrain and her still throbbing head making balancing difficult. The heat from the fire pushed against Ryan in waves as they got closer. Andrew forced her to her knees, ensuring she was still facing Leah.

Ryan was close enough now to see that Derek was holding a makeshift torch. In his right hand was a long branch, and at the end was a thick wrapping of cloth. Oh god, they’re going to burn her alive. A sob escaped Ryan as the realization of what her aunt and uncle planned for Leah came into focus.

“This is a treat, Ryan.” Lucy rubbed her hands together as she stood glaring at Leah. “We so rarely get the opportunity to make it physical anymore.” She turned to face Ryan, and the shadows the fire cast on her face made her look crazed and possessed. Ryan thought it fitting the evil that ran rampant through her aunt, at this darkest moment, should finally be reflected on her otherwise perfect features.

Lucy walked to Derek, and took the torch from his hand. “I prefer the dunking method, but alas I’m fresh out of cucking stools, and this one would take too eagerly to the water anyway.” She thrust the torch into the center of the fire.

Ryan pulled against her restraints, her eyes locked on her lover. Leah’s light green eyes seemed almost calm, her face and body relaxed as Lucy moved toward her, torch in hand. “This has been too long in coming, Leah.” Lucy lowered the torch to the ground next to Leah’s bound feet.

Ryan cried out, and stumbling to her feet, charged her aunt. Lowering her shoulder, Ryan slammed into the woman’s lower back, sending her and the torch crashing to the ground. Ryan watched in horror as the torch rolled to within a foot of Leah, aggressive flames immediately shooting up around the restrained woman. It was clear Lucy and Derek had spread some type of accelerant around the base of the tree.

Lucy cried out, and rolling onto her knees, struck Ryan with the back of her hand across the cheek. A second later, there was a crushing weight on top of Ryan’s midsection as Derek pounced on her, his hands around her throat. Ryan’s head pounded as her blood was squeezed from her neck, and her windpipe nearly crushed.

“Enough!” Lucy’s voice broke through the pounding in Ryan’s ears. “Get off her.”

As suddenly as the vise around her throat had been there, it was gone. Gasping for breath, Ryan craned her head back toward Leah, terrified at what she might see. Her tear and smoke filled eyes struggled to focus. Ryan could see that Leah was not engulfed in flames, nor was she writhing in agony from the fire’s heat.

Leah stood perfectly still, her eyes wide as the flames formed a tall cylinder shape around her, unable to penetrate whatever water or ice barrier Leah cocooned herself in. Ryan heard a series of cracks as if glass were about to shatter, and a second later, Leah brought her hands around from behind the tree.

The ropes, coated in a thick casing of ice, dropped from her wrists. The brittle pieces shattered as they hit the ground. The restraints on Leah’s ankles followed suit and fell to the ground as well. Holding her hands palms up in front of her, Leah extended her arms into the fire. The air from above the flames seemingly pushed the flames down, smothering them into the dirt at the base of the tree.

Pulling the leather strap away from her mouth, Leah threw it to the ground. “It’s over, Lucy. Please, I don’t want to hurt you.”

Lucy stood, her back to the fire, her eyes narrowed, a demonic smile spread across her lips. “You don’t tell me when it’s over.” She looked at Andrew and nodded.

The man charged toward Leah, and tackled her to the ground. Before Ryan could get to her feet to help Leah, Derek had grabbed a handful of her hair, and pushed her flat to the ground. Ryan screamed as Andrew, straddling Leah’s waist, struck the woman twice across the face with the back of his hand.

Wrapping his hands around Leah’s neck, the stout man leaned forward, putting all of his weight on the smaller woman’s throat. Just then Andrew sneezed, once, twice, and the third time he shifted back just enough that Leah was able to get her hands around his wrists.

Andrew screamed, his deep baritone cries filling the night. Falling to Leah’s side, Ryan could see the man’s wrists were red, the skin blistered and already beginning to slide away from the underlying muscle and tissue.

In an instant Leah was kneeling in front of Andrew, her hand around his throat. A second later and the man fell backwards to the ground. He scratched and pulled at his throat, his cries sounding choked and gargled. The skin on the front of his throat began to redden and then blister. Leah had burned him from the inside out, and now muscle and tissue began to pucker and swell from within.

“No!” Derek rushed past Ryan toward Leah, but before he could reach the woman, she placed her hand flat on the ground in front of her. Derek tripped, the damp earth beneath him shifting, and the dirt was replaced with a thick sheet of ice. Slipping backwards, Derek’s head slammed against the ground. Rolling to his side, he grabbed at the back of his head, his hand now covered in blood.

Reaching into his back pocket, Derek pulled a wood handled, single blade pocket knife from behind him. Opening the four inch blade, he managed to get to his knees as he repeatedly slipped on the ice beneath him.

“You hold still, and I’ll make this quick.” Derek seethed as he began crawling toward Leah.

Laying her other hand on the ice, Leah glared at the man. “Please stop. I don’t want to do this.”

Derek, unfazed, continued his slow progress forward, his movements reminiscent of a man trapped in quicksand. Leah closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. Derek smirked, emboldened by Leah’s distress. Then his eyes widened. Trying to lift his hand from the ice, Derek grunted as the appendage was now frozen to the sheet of ice.

Derek pulled up with all his strength, the skin on his palm remaining frozen to the sheet of ice, peeling free as he ripped his hand loose. The man screamed, and with the knife extended toward Leah, lunged forward. His knees also frozen to the ice, Derek landed flat on his face.

Ryan watched in both horror and amazement as ice began to form along her uncle’s stomach and then moved up his sides. Seconds later, the man was completely encased in a thick sheath of ice. Unable to move or breathe, Ryan could see Derek’s face through the clear ice. His eyes went wide with fear and panic. Ryan turned her head, unable to stomach the sight.

A screech filled the air as Lucy charged toward Leah, kicking the woman square in the lower back. Leah cried out, and rolled away from Lucy. Wielding the torch, Lucy swung the branch at Leah. A split second before making contact with the side of Leah’s head, Leah rolled to the side and the torch struck her in the shoulder. Embers flew, lighting up the night.

Ryan pushed herself up to her knees, and taking several deep breaths, managed to stand. Her legs felt weak and she thought her feet might slide out from under her as she stumbled toward Lucy and Leah.

“Aunt Lucy, stop!” Ryan squared her shoulders as she stared down her aunt.

Lucy turned, her eyes wide, her mouth skewed in a scowl as she glared at her niece. “This started long before you, Ryan. Leave now if you don’t have the stomach for it.”

Ryan took a step toward Lucy. Her throat was dry and her body ached. She looked at Leah, who lay clutching her shoulder on the ground. Ryan couldn’t believe the carnage her family had wrought upon themselves, Leah, and her. “You can’t think I would just walk away and let you kill someone I love.”

“You should love me more!” Lucy screamed. “Our family, the generations before us - they’re who we owe everything to.”

Ryan shook her head. “I - we - don’t owe anybody anything, Aunt Lucy.” She wanted the woman to see that, to know her life was whatever she made of it, not what a history of half-truths and lies dictated.

Shaking her head, Lucy reached into her back pocket, revealing a knife identical to Derek’s. She held it out for Ryan to see. “She’s an abomination, Ryan. Help me destroy her.”

“I’ve lost you then?”

Ryan’s question triggered a softening of Lucy’s hardened expression, and she lowered the knife. “No, sweetie. That’s the whole point.” Lucy took a step toward Ryan. “We’re family, and that’s forever.”

Ryan knew in that moment her aunt was gone. Whatever hope she had of convincing the woman murder was not the answer was beyond either of them. Ryan looked past her aunt, toward Leah who had managed to get to her knees, blood trickling from the right corner of her mouth. The two women’s eyes met, and Ryan nodded her head. A pained expression crossed Leah’s face, her eyes filling with tears as she raised her hand.

Lucy’s mouth opened, her eyes widening as the moisture in the air around her was superheated by Leah. The woman dropped the knife and grabbed at her throat as the scalding air scorched and burned its way down into her lungs. The fringes of her shawl and dark blonde hair singed from the heat.

Lucy collapsed to her knees. Her eyes bulged and her pale skin reddened as she stared, unseeing, into the distance. Falling forward, Lucy lay dead.

A sob escaped Leah as she sank down into a seated position on the ground, her legs bent under her. Her shoulders hung as she stared at Lucy’s lifeless body. Ryan stood motionless. Time seemed to have slowed down, and she wondered if she were going into some type of shock as her body felt almost numb.

Then Leah was behind Ryan. Her hands trembled as she struggled to untie Ryan’s wrists. Blood rushed back into Ryan’s hands as Leah dropped the rope to the ground. Turning around, Ryan and Leah’s eyes met. Each woman was crying, and neither was able to speak.

Leah finally took Ryan’s hands in hers. Examining the deep cuts the rope had made in her wrists, Leah winced. “Are you okay? Do we need to get you to a hospital?” Leah’s voice was weak, uncertain.

Ryan shook her head, still feeling as if everything were moving in slow motion. “I – I think I’m okay. Are you? I mean are you okay?”

Leah began to cry, her shoulders shaking as she was consumed with sobbing. “No – my god, I’ve just killed three people!”

Leah collapsed to the ground again. Ryan knelt in front of her, pulling her close. “They were trying to kill you.”

Leah shook her head, her breath hot against the side of Ryan’s face. “I should have run, I should have left this place before it came to this.”

Ryan leaned back, holding Leah by the shoulders. “Don’t say that! They came after you, not the other way around.”

Leah sniffled, her sobs giving way to a constant stream of tears. “What do we do now?”

Ryan pulled the woman back into her arms, and scanned the horrific scene. The fire continued to cast the clearing in both light and shadow. The ice casing around Derek had begun to melt from its heat, and Andrew lay lifeless near the tree line, his hands still clutched to his charred throat.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Ryan finally managed to speak. “We could call the police, but I don’t know what we could tell them that wouldn’t risk your safety.”

Leah pushed back from Ryan, stood up, and turned away. “That doesn’t matter. People have died. Let them come.”

Ryan got up, and cringed, the muscles of her back tightening in a series of spasms from where she had been kicked and tackled. “Don’t be naïve. This isn’t just about you.” Ryan took Leah’s hand and turned her around. “You can’t be the only one, and once this is out, what happens to everyone else like you?”

Leah chewed nervously on the inside of her lower lip, her eyes darting back and forth as she considered Ryan’s words. “Then what do you suggest?”

“Where exactly are we?” Ryan looked up at the night sky. The stars were fairly pronounced, and she imagined they must be some distance from Baltimore.

“They had me in the trunk of their car.” Leah crossed her arms over her chest and shivered. “So I’m not sure.”

A fresh wave of disgust and disbelief with her family washed over Ryan as she realized Leah had been in the trunk of the Lincoln when she had driven past the parked vehicle near Leah’s house. Pushing past the almost overwhelming desire to go fetal, Ryan walked quickly toward Lucy’s body.

Turning the lifeless woman over, Ryan began going through the woman’s pockets. Leah walked up behind her. “What are you doing?”

“My phone is dead, and I don’t suppose they let you keep yours.” Ryan pulled her aunt’s iPhone from the back pocket of her slacks. “First, let’s use the GPS on her phone to figure out where we’re at, and then we can go from there.”

Ryan stood up, and powered the phone on. “Crap.”

Leah stepped next to her, peering at the illuminated screen. “What?”

“It’s password protected.” Ryan’s hands dropped to her sides in defeat.

“You have no idea what it might be?” Leah took the phone from Ryan’s hand.

Ryan started to say no, but then a thought, a memory popped into her mind. She took the phone back from Leah, and tapped the screen. “Got it.”

“What – how did you know?” Leah asked in amazement.

Ryan shrugged. “I know my aunt, and more importantly I know what my aunt values – valued.” Ryan frowned at the past tense. “Allerton – all caps.”

Leah wrapped her arm around Ryan’s waist, looking over the younger woman’s shoulder as she navigated to the map application.

“We’re in Patapsco Valley State Park; so not quite as close to your house as I had thought.” Ryan held the phone up so Leah could better see the screen. “So about four miles north of Oella.” Ryan studied the map closely, committing the route they needed to get back to Leah’s house to memory. Kneeling next to Lucy’s body, Ryan slipped the phone back into the woman’s pocket.

“Now what?” Leah shivered. Even though it was May, she was in a thin t-shirt and shorts, and the cold was getting to her.

Ryan pulled Leah close, and rubbed her hands up and down the woman’s back in an effort to warm her. “As she did, she felt heat begin to radiate off of Leah’s body. “Are you okay?” Ryan held Leah at arm’s length while looking her up and down.

“I can self-regulate my body temperature.” Leah shrugged. “Comes in handy every once in a while.”

Ryan’s eyes widened. “That’s a neat trick, but do you know where the car is?”

Leah chuckled. “About thirty yards through the trees. They must have left the main road, and driven down one of the dirt service roads.”

Ryan nodded. “We need to get all of them back into the car.”

Leah pulled away from Ryan, a shocked expression on her dirt streaked face. “Why?!”

“We can’t just leave them out here. Whatever people think happened to them, it has to look like an accident, and there can be no ties to you or me.” Ryan felt a wave of grief crash over her, and she struggled to stay focused on what needed to be done. She grieved for her family, and her heart broke for Carol, who had lost her parents and her brother in one horrific night – and didn’t even know it.

Leah hung her head, crossing her arms over her chest. “You can’t do this. You can’t protect me.”

Ryan grabbed Leah by the upper arms. Her words were quick and breathless as she spoke. “Listen to me! I don’t want to keep having this debate with you while I have to stage a car accident so people think my family died while sightseeing in Maryland.” Ryan didn’t realize it until she paused to take a breath that she was crying. “So I need you to help me, not keep straying back to the guilt.” Ryan released Leah. “I won’t lose you on top of everything else.”

Leah’s eyes were wide as Ryan’s words slammed into her. “I – how can you – why would you –”

Ryan took a step back from Leah, and using the sleeve of her dirtied and tattered blouse, wiped at her face. “I love you.”

Sniffling, Ryan looked up at the clear night sky, taking a deep breath. “My mother, my aunt, uncle, cousin – Carol. There’s been too many sacrifices for the sanctity of the Myers family causes.” Ryan leveled her gaze on Leah, a sudden and unexpected calm wrapping around her. “I won’t sacrifice you too.”

Leah stood speechless. The dimming light of the fire was making it difficult for Ryan to see her expression, but Leah didn’t run screaming. Instead Leah walked over to the fire, and with a slow wave of her hand over the flames, the clearing was plunged into relative darkness.

“We should move the men first, they’re the heaviest.” Leah said flatly as she walked toward Andrew’s body.