Page 147 of Ash and Poison

Clark hesitated. “Sheriff, but—”

“Now,” Vincent snapped. “And put out an emergency alert. Millie’s missing. I want roadblocks on every major exit out of this town.”

As Clark walked away, Vincent turned to Asher.

“I don’t trust this, or trust you, but if Millie’s out there, we’re going to find her. So either help me or get the hell out of my way.”

Dear A,

That stench of lavender.

That broken jars of spiders.

The perfectly white pills, waiting, smiling.

So many voice.

Do they hear it?

Is it only in my head?

The laughter that breaks like mirrors when I close my eyes? Will you hear it?

I’m sorry.

But the spiders…

Oh…

They are bored of living in my skin. So bored. They want to be gone.

I want them gone.

Go, tell them to go.

I want to destroy myself until they are gone.

Cut myself. Cut. Tear myself apart.

R.

33

TIME’S A-WASTIN’

DIYA

“What’s going on here?” Doctor Stanley asked, walking toward us with Mayor Bricks.

“Jimmy is dead, and Millie’s missing,” I said. There was no use of mincing words.

Doctor Stanley gasped.

“What?”

“Holland, it seems like Jonah is…” Vincent stared at his brother with a wince. “Jonah might have kidnapped Millie.”

Mayor Bricks stiffened, his lips becoming a pale, thin line.