Her eyes were wide with anger and fear. I smiled as I watched her squirm and try to fight against Jordan’s grasp.
When he moved to Dakota, he started to set her chair back up. “No, leave her like that. Leave that bitch on the floor.”
I adjusted my princess crown from last year’s dance on my head. If only Andy had his crown with him, I thought, feeling disappointed.
He was still struggling to say something, his eyes transfixed on mine. Finally, he’s paying attention.
Giving in, I ripped the duct tape from his mouth and pulled out the sock. “You got one minute. And no screaming,” I warned him.
I’d opened the door for all of them and led them to the basement, where Jordan was waiting with the baton. My heart had filled with glee when the first guest to arrive had been Andy.
I enjoyed watching his face as his girlfriend and all of her friends were knocked unconscious.
It was the ultimate payback.
“P-please,” he sputtered, his eyes pleading with mine. “Please d-don’t do this, W-Winter. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ever hurt you…”
“Liar!” I screamed, swatting him across the face with so much force his seat nearly fell back.
When he turned his cheek to look back at me, the look in his eyes said one thing and one thing only…I hate you.
Unlike these stupid cheerleaders, I’m smart. I know who loves me and who doesn’t. I’m not delusional or unrealistic. Deep down, I’ve known all along Andy doesn’t want to be with me…but that doesn’t mean I have to stand for it.
Jordan was standing in front of Dakota, but his eyes were watching me. “I told you to stop letting that prick get you so worked up. You know he doesn’t love you like I do.”
“I know,” I said in a flat voice, giving Andy the evil eye as Jordan replaced the gag. Lauren was coming to now, her eyes darting side to side as she realized it wasn’t a nightmare…she was my prisoner.
“Gag her too,” I ordered Jordan. He did as I told him.
I wandered over to the table, turning off the radio and dipping my finger in the cake.
“I made your cake all by myself,” I said, holding it up for Amanda to see.
Welcome to Horror High.
The place where all the cheerleaders die.
I smiled at the scrawled, red letters I’d written, pleased with myself as usual.
“Of all the schools I’ve attended, I must say…Horror High is my favorite. It’s too bad it will be closing soon, especially after news gets out about the cheerleading massacre.”
They were all watching me now as I picked up a huge butcher knife. I held it up, tested the tip with my finger, then bent down to slice a piece of cake.
There’s something about seeing the horror in their eyes that excites me. Not the initial horror, but the resolute kind…when they realize it’s all over.
I lifted the cake splattered knife, licking the non-sharp side, enjoying the fear on all of their faces.
“Was this really rocket science?” I set the knife down and placed my hands behind my back, pacing up and down in front of them.
Jordan watched me, his face filled with admiration. My poor “brother,” he’d come from an abusive home—adopted into our family at the age of ten. I’d planned on killing him, pissed they’d wanted to adopt another kid. But then something happened between us…two kindred spirits, damaged by the world coming together…he was older than me, but it didn’t seem like it. I took him under my wing, teaching him how to be smarter than the rest of the world on the inside, all the while blending in on the outside.
My own parents died in a fire when I was five. “Poor little Winter, she’s so lucky the firefighters saved her…” That’s what friends of my parents would say. But little did they know, I’d always been a lover of fire and explosions.
They got what they deserved, I thought, remembering my real parents.
We’d fooled our adoptive parents for a while, at least Jordan had. But they’d finally figured out last year when all of the deaths occurred and my dad found Grandpa’s Mossberg missing from the cabinet. They’d taken me to see a psychiatrist, but I’d duped her too.
I smiled at Jordan, feeling proud of him for once. He was finally following my lead.
“Come on, it’s pretty easy when you think about it,” I said, stopping to look at my audience. They struggled to talk but it was no use against the gags.
“I know what you’re going to say. ‘Please don’t do this, Winter. You don’t have to do this, Winter. We’ll help you, Winter.’ Well, I don’t need your help. And I certainly don’t need your friendship.”
I was looking at Andy as I said it.
“The real question is why didn’t you figure it out? How could you be so stupid?” I stood in front of Dakota now. She was still lying on her side, struggling against the belt straps.
I bent down on the floor, laying my face flat against the carpet so we were nose-to-nose.
“None of this even started until you took Andy from me. I never would have bothered you guys. But then it was just too easy. And then it became super fun, almost addicting.”
Dakota’s eyes were squinty, her face beet red. “Sit her up. I want her to hear this,” I ordered Jordan.
I waited for him to do what I said.
“Are you listening?” I asked, pacing again.
“I was so focused on the bitches at Crimson that I let Andy slip through my fingers…we were never moving to Hawaii. I went to his house, just an excuse to talk to him. When Dakota showed up and found us kissing, I knew I had to do something about her. Like I said, I’d been so focused on those bitches at Crimson. I’d even carried a gun to school a few times, tempted to use it. But then you came along,” I said, pointing at Dakota.
“I went up to your school to put something in your locker. Finding your locker combination was easy—Principal Barlow kept it in a binder in her office. I was going to leave you a mean note or a dead rotten cat, but instead I found something even better…your uniform was hanging in there. It gave me great pleasure to tear it up and ruin your whole day. I lived only a few streets away from Harrow, so I played sick one day and slipped inside the school. I put that dead cat in Brittani Barlow’s bag. I even had one of Jordan’s many girlfriends post the fliers around school for me. I tried my best to distract you, to keep you away from Andy…but he really fell for you. I thought maybe it’d pass, but it didn’t. That’s when I knew I had to step up my game.”
I stopped, making sure they were all listening. “I called that pathetic lonely girl from your school, Ashleigh. I pretended to be one of the popular girls on the phone—Mariella Martin. I told her I was too popular to be friends with her outright, but promised to write her letters. She trusted me, so much so that she agreed to stuff Sydney in a locker. I told her Sydney was sabotaging the team, so if she wanted to help the team, then she had to do it. She was stupid, but she listened to me. She even took the rap for me, to prove her loyalty. And loyal she was, proving herself again later when I asked her to tell Amanda that Sydney had put her up to all of it.”
“I was almost content, but not quite. You and Andy seemed happier than ever,” I said, looking at Dakota. She was stock still, listening to my every word.
“I got kicked out of Crimson and I begged my parents to enroll me at Harrow High. We lived so close, but they’d never wanted me to go there. They wanted me and Jordan at Crimson, where they went to school. But since I was out, there was no reason not to let us come here…”
I smiled, pausing for effect. “And that’s when I killed Genevieve, to secure my own spot on the squad and shake you guys up a bit. It sure did shake you up, Amanda!” I said, laughing as I imagined her face in that locker room when she’d found the body.
“Since I was a student at Horror High, I had a lot more access. But I didn’t need it, honestly. I had Jordan help me kidnap Sydney. I stole one of those dead pigs from the science lab and put the tongue in my own locker with the note. And putting Ge
nevieve’s nose in the soup was super easy. I was sitting right next to you, Amanda! You were so zoned out, staring at Brittani’s neck—the neck I unfortunately didn’t cut all the way—that you didn’t even notice a little splash in your soup.”
“Mariella took a lot more work. I sent her fake threats and chants from you guys. And finally I wrote a fake note from Genevieve, sending her over the edge.”
“She was convinced you guys murdered her friend and you were the sociopaths—so convinced she tried to kill you all. I’m sorry she missed the mark, honestly,” I said, finally getting angry.
If only Mariella hadn’t been such an idiot, they would all be dead by now!
“I made the bomb too, in case you hadn’t guessed. I know Jordan thinks it was amateurish,” I said bitterly, giving him a sideways glance. “But it wasn’t meant to kill you, only cause scars. I wanted you to be the ugliest squad in the country. Unfortunately, Andy found the letter I’d planted in Sydney’s bag sooner than I’d hoped, and because of him and Sydney, everyone had a little bit of warning what was coming…” They were all awake now, eyes round as coins, clinging to my every word. For once, I had all the attention, just like I deserved. I smiled over at my brother. He was watching me too, seemingly in awe.
“Oh, and if you’re wondering about that kiss,” I said, looking over at Andy. “I slipped some stuff in Ronnie and Dakota’s drinks. I knew if I made him a little tipsy, he’d make a move on your girl. It couldn’t have worked out any better…but then I realized that even breaking you guys up wouldn’t change things. It wouldn’t bring you back to me. And I’ll be honest, I’ve been starting to get bored with this whole thing…I’m ready to end this and start something new, something more exciting…” I picked up the knife, using it to shave off a big chunk of icing.
“Well, enough of my explanations. It’s time for the celebration to begin. Go get the gun,” I commanded Jordan, taking a bite of my cake.
Chapter
Forty-Five
Jordan went upstairs to get the gun while I took a seat at the table. The cake was white with white icing, and I had to admit—it tasted even better than it looked.
I held up my knife, stopping in midair. I could feel their eyes on me, watching…
“Oh, I’m not all bad. I could slice you up and make it painful and slow. At least I’m going to put you down nicely, like I did with Detective Hudson. The only one left to deal with is Gabi. I can’t believe she saw me in the crowd, but she did. Her eyes locked right on mine, right before I ran out of there, leaving the bomb. Honestly, I think she might just kick the bucket all on her own. Or maybe she’ll just lay there in that state, knowing but unable to talk. Now wouldn’t that be fun,” I said, smiling.
Lauren was jerking around now, pissed I was talking about her friend.
Finishing the last bite of my cake, I wiped my lips with the back of my hand and wiped my hands on my skinny jeans.
“But you,” I said, pointing a sticky finger at Andy. “I’m making you watch them die. I want you to know this is your fault. You treated me so carelessly, pretending to care. But all those years, your parents making you play me…I finally realized you just felt sorry for me. You never told anyone I was adopted, or what happened to my parents. You never even suspected me, not once! I can’t believe I fell for someone so stupid. You’re not who I thought you were!”
I turned my back to them, getting a drink from the punch bowl.
There were more muffled sounds—Andy was still trying to say something.
I don’t know why—maybe there was a small part of me that still loved him—but I walked over and removed the gag again.
“Winter! I did care about you. I do care. I’ve always loved you. I’ll never forget our last kiss,” Andy said, rushing to get the words out.
Raising an eyebrow, I studied his face. His features were soft, his red hair in dire need of a cut. He looked so sweet, just like the little boy I fell in love with so many years ago…
Without thinking, I bent down, looking him in the face. “One last kiss,” I said, leaning forward. I pressed my lips against his, enjoying the tingling roughness of them.
Then his teeth clenched down over my lower lip. “Ah!” I jerked back, part of my lip ripping off with his teeth.
“You asshole!” I screamed, clutching my face. Bright red blood poured through my fingers, pooling on the carpet.
I stood up, fuming. I went back over to the table and grabbed the knife.
I changed my mind. Andy is going to die first.
Chapter
Forty-Six
The girls were screaming and fighting against their straps as I charged toward Andy with the knife. I spit blood and skin out of my mouth, fighting not to gag on the taste of my own blood.
Andy was struggling to get out, his face covered in my blood too.
Like blood brothers, I thought, my mind spinning. I couldn’t believe I was going to finally kill him. I couldn’t help feeling so…excited.
I stood in front of him, gripping the knife in my hand. I raised it just as I heard a loud crash from upstairs.
What the hell?
“Jordan, are you okay?” I yelled, cocking my head to the side. When he didn’t answer, I groaned in frustration. Keeping the knife in hand, I slowly made my way up the basement steps. Immediately, I realized it was dark upstairs.
But that can’t be. I left all the lights on, I thought, my heart thumping in my chest.
I poked my head around the top of the stairs. “Jordan?” I hissed, struggling to see in the dark. Gripping the knife tighter, I pushed forward.
I made my way through the dark kitchen and into the living room, running my hands over the wall as I felt for the light switch. Where the hell was he at?
That’s when I fell over something in the floor and plunged forward, my already damaged mouth smacking against the rough carpet.
“Uh,” I muttered, using my hands to push myself up to my knees. Moonlight poked through the living room curtains, finally providing some light. I turned around and looked behind me, to see what I’d fallen over.
My brother lay dead on the carpet, sharp bloody stab wounds covering his back.
Chapter
Forty-Seven
“Jordan? Oh my God, Jordan!” I crawled forward, leaning down to feel for a pulse. I held my breath, listening. My brother was dead.
“You always were the weak one,” I muttered, standing up on my feet. “But who—?”
That’s when I saw her, squatting down in the dark next to the coffee table.
She watched me, her mouth set in a firm line.
Ashleigh Westerfield was here to kill me.
Chapter
Forty-Eight
“Ah!” I charged straight at her with the knife. But that’s when I saw the familiar barrel of my grandpa’s gun. She’d stolen the Mossberg. I heard the blast before I felt it, and then thick blood was oozing out of my thigh as I collapsed on the floor next to Jordan.
Chapter
Forty-Nine
Sydney
‘Welcome to Harrow High,’ read the brand new banner in our basketball gym. It was done in school colors, a large dragon’s tail twisted through the school name letters. I beamed with pride. For the first time in a long time, I felt some pride in my school.
The nickname, Horror High, would probably stick for a while. But eventually it would fade like all things do, rumors and stories about the sociopath forgotten. At least that’s what I hoped…
But for now, at least, the threat of our school closing was no longer present. The Sociopath—the real one this time—had officially been arrested, and we no longer had anything to fear.
My parents, feeling terrible for leaving me again, had once again promised to stick around. “And we mean it this time,” my mom had said. I only hoped that was true. Although now that the danger was over, I’d probably crave some alone time…
I took a seat on the bench next to Dakota, Amanda, and Lauren. They all
looked healthier, happier than I’d ever seen them. Amanda’s family was doing well, her mom still clean, and Mimi’s cancer improving despite her lack of treatment. Love is the best medicine, my mom told me once. I wondered if that was true…
And Dakota was the happiest of all, now that she and Andy had made up.
My happiness faded as I realized…there are only four of us now. How can we cheer with only four girls? We can barely do a stunt with four!
But at least we’re alive, I reminded myself. It could have been two, or one, or even no cheerleaders left…if the sociopath had gotten her way.
Coach Davis entered the gym, her cheer book on her lap. She pushed her wheelchair across the floor—her injuries a constant reminder of the wounds left by the sociopath…
But Coach was smiling, and she’s always had an infectious smile. I found myself smiling back at her.
“We’ve been through some shit, eh girls?” she said, her expression tired but relieved. “I’m just so happy you’re all okay. It could have been much worse…” Coach Davis winced.
“You all deserve good news and I have some. First, and most importantly, Gabi’s condition has improved. The doctors say she’s talking and walking, albeit slowly. There was no long-term damage, at least from what they can tell. And…she did, in fact, report to the police that when she stood up to go get her trophy, she saw Winter standing in the far left corner of the mat, holding something suspicious in her hands. I have a feeling she’ll be going away for a long time, girls. I don’t think Gabi will be returning to the squad for a while; she has a lot of healing to do. But nevertheless, we’ll save her spot, ’cause God knows, she’s earned it.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about saving her a spot. We don’t even have enough to fill the squad as is, Coach,” Dakota said, stating the obvious.
Killer Moves (Horror High Series Book 3) Page 11