Chapter 2

Katherine stopped Willow. "Let your mom handle it. Come eat. I made shrimp just for you tonight. Caleb wanted some, but I saved it all for you."

She went into the kitchen to bring out the dishes. Willow set down her backpack and followed to help.

I watched Willow move around the kitchen, quiet and attentive. I couldn't believe she was the same person who had murdered our family in my previous life.

After dinner, once everything was cleaned up, I spent a long time working up the nerve before finally knocking on Willow's door.

I pulled a chair over and sat beside her, keeping my voice gentle. "Willow, is everything okay? If something's bothering you, you can talk to me."

She shook her head. "I'm fine."

I didn't drop it. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. I've got your back. You can always count on me."

Her grip tightened around her pen, and she looked up as if she was about to say something.

I held my breath, waiting for her to finally tell me the truth.

Then a sharp crash came from the living room.

The moment broke. Willow lowered her head and went back to her workbook without a word.

I stepped out and found Naomi and Katherine both trying to heat a glass of milk for Willow before bed, each insisting on bringing it in themselves. Somewhere in the shuffle, the glass slipped and shattered, milk spreading across the floor.

It wasn't unusual. Not long ago, they had argued over which of them bought Willow more comfortable clothes.

I crouched down to help gather the pieces. "Why do you two act like you're competing for her attention all the time?"

Naomi laughed as she wiped the floor. "Can you blame us? She's the princess of the family."

Katherine poured another glass and hurried it down the hall.

By the time everything was cleaned up, I tried to go back to Willow's room, but she stopped me at the door.

"Dad, it's late, and I still have a lot of studying left to do."

I stood there for a moment, looking at the closed door, then went back to the bedroom with a knot in my chest.

Naomi was already in bed. I couldn't sleep, so I pulled out my phone and opened the camera feed.

Willow sat at her desk, working through problems, every movement steady and routine.

I watched for more than an hour and saw nothing out of place.

Just as I was about to give up and put my phone away for the night, Willow suddenly moved.

I sat up at once, wide awake. I watched as she opened her desk drawer, took out a pair of scissors, and stood up.

She walked over to the bed and drove the scissors straight into the stuffed doll, again and again. Every thrust was brutal, her motions steady and practiced.

This clearly wasn't the first time she had done it.

My eyes locked on the screen. For a second, all I could see was Katherine from before, collapsing under those same blows.

I shook Naomi awake.

She sat up, startled, then leaned in to look. When she realized Willow was only stabbing a doll, she let out a sigh.