of the newer maids, sent to fetch something, found me

oom. No doctor comes. No one checks on me except for

h a cruel clarity. I hear unfamiliar sounds from the

t move in. He

elling Charlotte in the hallway. "And the view of the g

lgent. "Alex can take the guest room in the

nts died. The one with the ceiling painted like a n

a word. I just watch as mover

. A scruffy little terrier mix I found abandoned in a park last year. He' s my shad

smaller, colder, overlooking the garage. Buster seems to sense t

ally" trips over him. He tells Charlotte the dog is a "filthy mutt" that doesn't b

s to a no-kill shelter an hour away. I' m arranging to take Bus

in tomorrow," I s

h the air. It' s Buster. It' s com

ood f

burst out onto the main la

Buster by the scruff of his neck, dangling

ow, cruel smile spre

Alex," he says, his voice casual, a

eam, lunging for th

e, his eyes gleam

y. "A stray that should have never

n, he l

used body tumble through the air. I see the

ts the stone is a si

pest part of my soul. I stare at the sm

e laced with mock sympathy. "Just like you. Your parents died so tragical

g inside

of two lifetimes-it all ignites int

ember the crunch of bone under my fist. I'm on top

ing to

at are yo

scream pul

ock. She sees me, a wild animal, on top of Howard, w

he monster who ju

ter she's always