Chapter 4 - Under the Chair
Anna did not show Richard the message.
“Where are you going?”
“To say goodbye to Leo.”
The nursery was quiet. Leo had finally fallen asleep after the doctor visit. Anna set her bag down and crouched beside the rocking chair.
She ran her fingers under the wooden frame.
She peeled away a tiny memory card.
“Anna?”
Richard stood in the doorway.
“What are you doing?”
She closed her fist.
“My earring fell.”
“You don’t wear earrings.”
Richard’s expression changed. “What’s in your hand?”
Before she could answer, Vanessa appeared behind him.
“There you are.”
Anna’s fist tightened.
Vanessa noticed.
Her eyes dropped to Anna’s hand.
For the first time all day, the mask slipped completely.
She knew.
Anna saw it.
Vanessa saw Anna see it.
Then the smoke alarm exploded into a shrill scream.
Leo woke crying.
Richard turned instinctively toward the hallway.
Vanessa moved.
She slammed Anna’s wrist against the rocking chair.
Pain shot up Anna’s arm.
The memory card flew from her hand and skittered under the crib.
“You’re insane!” Anna shouted.
Richard spun back. “What happened?”
“She attacked me!” Vanessa cried.
Anna dropped to her knees, reaching under the crib.
Vanessa kicked the card farther with her toe.
Anna caught her ankle.
Vanessa fell hard against the dresser.
Richard grabbed Anna by the shoulders.
“Stop!”
“She’s trying to take something!”
“Let go of me!”
Smoke poured past the nursery doorway.
Real smoke.
Not a false alarm.
Richard swore and scooped Leo up.
“Everybody out!”
They ran downstairs.
The kitchen curtains had caught fire above the stove.
Richard used the extinguisher while Anna carried Leo into the yard.
Vanessa came out last, coughing dramatically.
A minute later the fire was under control.
Anna looked up at the nursery window.
Then at Vanessa.
Vanessa smiled faintly.
May you like
The memory card was still upstairs.
And now Anna understood the fire had not been an accident.
