Page 15
Just a feeling.
I open an empty Word document and can’t seem to put words on the page. It doesn’t help that I haven’t started the readings beyond the articles on research methods in the social sciences, and I’m utterly determined to make it the best it can be, knowing who is grading it. That is, if I can bring myself to pick up my father’s textbook and actually start it.
The fresh aroma of coffee seeps into my room, distracting me, and my mouth salivates. I throw on some yoga pants, some mascara, a tank top with a denim jacket, throw my hair into a messy bun, and head out of my room. When I’m down the steep steps, Dani and Misty are huddled around the phone at the kitchen table, both of their faces etched with concern. Neither of them acknowledges me.
A pot of coffee is almost empty, and the delicious scent is wafting through the room.
“What’s going on?” I ask, pulling out a mug from the cupboard. Dani, looking fresh in baggy jeans and a cropped shirt showing off her tight and toned belly, finally notices me. I see they both have fresh cups of coffee, and no one bothered to call me down as I pour myself the burnt bit at the bottom.
Dani narrows her brows. “You look like shit.” Dani isn’t anything if she’s not honest.
I merely huff and take a sip, watching them.
“Summer, come watch this. This is seriously scary,” Misty says, being nice enough. I only join them when Dani turns up the volume and the name Shadowface hits my ear, catching my attention. The mere mention of his name piques my curiosity, just like everyone else who has caught the fever of him.
Only a few days at this university, and I’m already just as obsessed as everyone else is. His compulsion is strong, and I have a weird desire for more. To understand it all…even the dark parts I shouldn’t be so interested in. And now, I need to find out if I am somehow connected to it all.
It’s a live press conference, the red banner at the bottom of the news feed.
Breaking News—
“Remember yesterday when you said that photo was new?” Dani asks. “That you didn’t see that photo online when we were checking out the Shadowface victims?”
My heart falters. “Yeah.”
“Well, you were right. The news just broke this morning. That photo has never been seen before. She’s new and wasn’t part of the four victims of the 2002 copycat.”
Bile hits my throat and I stand in stunned silence.
Rather than respond, I take a moment to savor my coffee. It’s as if my brain understands what I need to do but can’t.
Misty shakes her head. “I doubt she’s new. She was still killed over twenty years ago. It’s just fresh evidence.”
My throat goes dry. “Are you sure about that?”
How can I possibly describe the inexplicable? I am absolutely certain that the photo is me. It seems like the first photo has spread everywhere. My lifeless body is displayed like a doll. At least the second photo, the one he only shared with me, is all mine.
The taste of ash lingers in my mouth. The entire campus gazing at me in that way was already distressing enough, but now it’s being broadcasted on the national news as well?
Dani’s eyes meet mine. “It must be old. It has to be. They haven’t found any other evidence. Someone out there would have missed a girl who looked like that.”
Misty quirks her head, studying her, then looks directly at me. “She seems so…sexual. It’s all so erotic.”
Red blurs my vision. “Shut up, Misty. Have some fucking respect for the dead.”
Misty’s mouth gapes open. “Sorry…I didn’t mean anything by it.”
I slide in next to Dani, attempting to steady my trembling hands. Dani shoots me a glance, but I choose to ignore it, focusing on the reporter who is positioned in front of a building on campus. The place will be swarming today. Authorities are looking into the origin of the text message on the first day of class and are advising everyone not to panic but remain vigilant.
“This is so messed up,” Dani whispers as the reporter shifts gears.
More breaking news—
“Look,” Misty says, pointing at the screen, her eyes bulging. “They found a connection. A girl went missing at a community college a few counties over three days ago. They believe it’s connected to the photo that was sent to our class. Like a copycat killer.”
This catches my attention…
I shuffle closer to get a better view of the live footage. The missing girl is blonde, of course. I can’t help but run my fingers over a lock of my hair. The color is eerily similar to my platinum white.
