Page 56 of Framed Obsession

I counted all the ways I could to make it make sense. To make excuses for my actions, but there aren’t any. I had no right to do that to another human, no matter how awful he was. I even resorted to thinking he would've killed me first and if I didn't do what I did… Then maybe I’d be in his position right now.

I look over at the wilted bouquet on my nightstand. It was the last one Axel sent me, taunting me with its death. The timing couldn't be more ironic. Finding beauty in death with nature is easy. Finding beauty in death with humans, is not.

“Just checking in on you. Dahlia, please talk to me,” Zoe says, knocking on my door, startling me. I don’t answer. I’ve kept myself locked in my room, shutting the world out once again. The world and Zoe. Zoe had always been an exception, but I can’t bring myself to face her after what I’ve done.

She thinks I’m sheltering away because, as much as she knows I dislike Parker, she thinks I’m mourning his death. She has no idea what kind of ‌person I turned into, and that I’m the one who basically made him disappear.

She has not the slightest clue. Only that he went missing, and I’ve been caged away in my sorrow since. She wouldn't know the difference. I don’t think she would know what to do if I ever told her. I hate that I can’t share this with her. This is a secret I’m taking to my grave.

The investigation into Parker's disappearance has been all over the news, haunting me like recurrent nightmares. I was interrogated for hours. They had street footage of me being one of the last people seen with him. I almost broke.

Almost.

Axel's voice kept overriding my thoughts. I couldn't turn myself in. That means I would turn him in, and ‌I–I just can’t bring myself to do that. Like I have some responsibility to protect him. Like he did with me.

I've hardly heard anything since. They have been talking to everyone that's been in contact with him, including everyone from work. I’m sure they quickly found out he wasn't very liked. For my sake, I hope it makes it harder of an investigation for them.

How can I move on from something like this? I can’t. I know Karma will pay a visit to me soon. For my sake, I hope she doesn’t go easy on me. Not that she hasn’t lately. If me rationalizing a harsh punishment to keep my mind at ease a little, then that’s what I’ll do. It's the only truth, though. I do deserve it.

Axel's been blowing up my phone, making it aware that he urgently wants to see me. I’ve been ignoring him. It’s all I can think to do right now. My brain isn’t processing like it normally does. If only I can just open my skull and take it out for a moment of peace.

As much as my mind has been deciding what to bombard me with, I keep getting pulled back to Axel. I see the way he looks at me. Everything I do is like perfection in his eyes. Like I can do no wrong. No matter how I look, or what I do, he is so enamoured by me.

I find myself feeling the same way. I know the things he does are wrong. I know he has made many mistakes in his life, but what I also know is that a lonely, troubled child is screaming for love inside of him.

I don’t think he is a psychopath. I think those who have seen him are wrong. I don’t think he's incapable of having feelings. I think he just doesn’t know how to process them. He was never loved. He was never safe. He was never valued.

I think he is just misunderstood.

He might be the only one now to help me, whether he knows it or not. A goody two-shoes girl who had nearly a perfect life, is now damaged. Damaged beyond repair, and the only person who could understand her is someone who only knows a life of being broken.

Chapter 40

The Stalker

My vision is doubling, and I can’t make out what's in front of me anymore. The room spins at an uncontrollable rate; I stumble and fall to the ground. My lungs are screaming for air that should be so easy to reach, but I can't muster the strength to breathe it in.

Reporter:

Breaking News

A family was found stabbed to death in the Brighton area. A woman by the name of Staphanie Gray and a man by the name of Martin Gray, were brutally mutilated. Their son, Axel Gray, was found in the home, unharmed. An active investigation is issued. Detectives are ruling out foul play, with a potential suspect at large. We do not have a description at this time. Thirteen-year-old, Axel Gray is being questioned. If anyone knows any information, please contact your local authorities.

“I hate you! I hate you! I fucking hate you!” I scream. My hands and knees are planted on the ground. I blink, but my vision doesn’t clear. It only gets worse. My lungs sting. My head pounds in an ache behind my eyes.

“Oh my god, Axel? Axel, are you okay?” A voice in the distance shouts. The thought of not knowing the person in my home should have unsettled me, but I couldn’t find it in myself to care.

The person rushes over. I see their figure kneeling in front of me. Soft hands grab my face, my body takes action on its own, and melts into them. They place my head on their lap as I fully collapse onto the floor.

My vision is still impaired, but I don’t have to see to know who this is. I clutch onto the denim that's hugging her, waiting for this wave of hell to wash over. Her small hand brush through my long black hair.

“You’re okay, you're okay. Tell me what's causing these episodes for you, Axel. Please talk me through it,” she says. The last thing I want is to keep reliving the memories, but I know if I don’t talk about it now, I may not get another chance.

“I–I see them. They are lying there,” I say breathlessly. My grip tightens, causing her jeans to crinkle. I feel her hand pause momentarily before she continues her soothing touch.

“Who are you seeing, Axel? What's happening in your mind right now?”

“My parents. They’re dead. Blood everywhere. Blood all over the floor. Blood all over my hands.”