PART I
PROLOGUE
Charlotte
Ten Years Ago
Everything comes back into focus, and the cool air makes my skin pebble. My heart is racing, but I can’t remember why. Curling my hands, whatever’s coating them is sticky, and the smell… I retch as the sickeningly sweet, metallic scent takes over my other senses. I glance down at myself and my heart thumps heavily in my chest as I realize what the smell is.
As I realize what’s on my hands.
No, what’sallover me.
Blood.
I inhale sharply and look around frantically, trying to orient myself. My chest heaves as my eyes flick over the familiar wallpaper of the second story hallway–as they skim over the bloody footprints and smears all over the wall.
Blood.
Wiggling my toes, that same sticky feeling makes me gag once again, and my eyes prick with overwhelmed, panicked tears.
Blood.
“Mum? Dad?” I call out into the large house. My voice gets swallowed up, so I repeat myself–louder this time.
Nothing.
Why am I covered in blood?
I close my eyes briefly as I begin walking toward their bedroom. My throat feels raw–like I’ve been screaming. Something heavy settles deep inside of me, and it takes me a few seconds to realize it’s dread. It’s not a feeling I’m accustomed to, except for when I get an exam result back or Mum wants to have another one of her sex talks. I’m fortunate that I’ve lived a privileged life, but this? This is an all-consuming dread like I’ve never experienced before.
I swallow and walk slower, and when I reach their door, I lift a trembling hand to their door handle. Dark red blood coats the brass handle, and I let out a choked sob as I turn it.
The smell hits me before anything, and I start to shake so hard that my teeth are chattering. That sweet, iron-rich smell–
The room is still dark. Their curtains are pulled closed, so I feel along the wall for the light switch while trying to calm my racing heart. Taking a deep breath, I flip the switch, and then–
I fall to my knees.
Blood.
So much blood.
It’s everywhere–on the walls, all over the curtains, on the floor–
Mum and Dad are splayed awkwardly on the floor, right next to Helga, our housekeeper. My eyes sweep over the rest of the room, and then I see Bruno sitting in one of the chairs.
With a hole in his head.
My stomach rolls as I squeeze my eyes shut.
This is all a dream.
This has to be a dream.
Please let this be a bad dream.
The smell, though… it’s so potent.
