Page 46 of She Haunts Me Still
“What just hap—” He rears back. “Whoaaa—shit, Mal, you’re bleeding.”
She presses a hand to her mouth. It comes away slick with blood—and something else. Something dark and granular.Dirt.
“What’s going on up there?” Hendrix calls. “Is she alright, Marques?”
“Uh—hang on!” Raf yells back. He looks back at her, adding, “Are you? Alright?”
“I-I’ll be right back.” Mallory slips past him, scurrying down the ladder as fast as she can without falling, beforesprinting through the wings. She barely hears Hendrix call for a ten-minute break as she careens down the corridor and into the bathroom, squinting against buzzing green lights.
She throws herself in front of the mirror and lets out a startled scream.
Her lips are coated in a mess of red. Blood oozes from her mouth, and when she rolls her tongue against her teeth, tiny grains of dirt seem to follow.
Hands shaking, she gathers her hair and snaps on the faucet, lowering to the sink to splash water over her lips and chin. She rinses and rinses, emptying mouthfuls of scarlet-tinged mud into the porcelain. The lights seem to moan with every spit, and the feather in her pocket burns against her thigh. As she cleans bits of bloodstained earth from her body, she can’t help but think of that growling voice in her ear, that nightmarish man in the chapel. This isn’t what happened in the blue house. It’s like something is trying to destroy her from the inside out. Is it Lily?
Or something worse?
Just then, the door flies open and Arden rushes in. “Are you okay?” she gasps.
“I’m fine.” Mallory drags her hand across her mouth. “Just—just a nosebleed.”
Arden only stares. “Is it that easy to lie to me?”
“I’m not—”
“Where were you earlier?” she interrupts. “I was late to rehearsal because I waited in the café for so long.”
Arden’s text. Their coffee date.Fuck. “I’m so sorry,” Mallory attempts, meaning it. “I got held up, I—”
“With Ezra?” Arden guesses.
Heat rushes to her cheeks. “No—”
“Another lie.” Arden narrows her eyes. “Jessica saw you leaving the senior dorms this morning.”
Mallory’s remaining excuses evaporate. “I can explain, we—”
“Save it.” Arden shakes her head, blonde highlights swaying. “We’ve been at this school a few weeks, and so much has changed already. I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.”
Something fiery loosens in Mallory’s chest at that. Something less like the crushing weight of guilt and more like anger. She leans into it, because right now, it’s easier to lash out than admit to all the ways she’s tearing their friendship apart.
“It’s not a crime to change, Arden!” Mallory snaps. “Maybe it’s not always going to be exactly how it was, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”
“Mal, it’s not even close!” Arden exhales. “You haven’t just changed, you’veshape-shifted. The old Mal would’ve been so excited to play Juliet, she’d have every line memorized already. She’d be kicking ass in her classes ’cause she’s smart as hell and making friends because she’s cool as hell, too. This Mal? The one slinking around at night, hoarding secrets? I don’t recognize her.” Arden steps closer, eyes narrowing. “Look at yourself. You look half dead. And the fucked-up part is I think he likes you more for it.”
Mallory’s chest clenches. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“Okay, sure.” Arden snatches her bag. “By the way, if you don’t want other people knowing your deep dark shit, don’t leave every one of your deskandbureau drawers open.”
Mallory falters, her anger slipping away. A chill licks her neck. “What?”
“Don’t worry. I put everything back before Raf cameover.” Arden starts for the door. “Imagine that: a best friend you can trust.”
Mallory glances in the mirror, mind racing. She wouldn’t leave her drawers open like that. But someone did.
Or something.
After Arden leaves, she stares at the dull, grayish tint of her skin. Her bangs fall flat on her forehead, brown hair stringy and unwashed. Shadows gather beneath her eyes, lips cracked and raw.You look half dead.
