Page 257 of Boys Who Hunt

I once had a red flower.

A cheap, meaningless, plastic flower.

When I was young, my mom once gave it to me and told me to give it to a girl.

It would make her happy, she said.

I kept it in a box because I didn’t want to make anyone happy.

Until you stole it.

My throat feels constricted.

That’s why he wanted that plastic flower I gave to Cora back.

I stole the only way he knew how to show love.

It’s yours now, so keep it.

I also want you to have the knife you killed him with.

I told you, I’d make you fucking love sharp things just as much as I do.

Now go on, little thief …

Take what’s left of my fucking soul.

Silas

PS: Did you know even serial killers have a heart? I didn’t.

The letter shakesin my hand as tears begin to well up in my eyes.

He gave me and Cora …everything.

Just like I once promised him.

I stare at the words, wondering what on earth they mean, when a teardrop rolls down and falls on top, mixing with the ink. Ink … that turns red like blood.

And suddenly, it hits me.

I snatch the bloodied blade off the floor and rush out the door. I can’t storm down the stairs fast enough as I bolt out the front door, ignoring everything the girls are saying to me while I run as fast as I can toward the Skull and Serpent Society.

Now, more than ever, do I wish I could run faster.

When I finally get to the door, I ram the door so hard I nearly break through the wood. “Let me in! Now!”

When the door finally opens, Heath stands there, sheepishly staring at me like he can’t believe I’m here in the flesh.

“Move, now!” I yell.

He frowns. “What, why? What’s going on?”

“Silas has given me all of his money and a knife with blood on it,” I reply. “Hisblood.”

His eyes widen, and he immediately pulls away and bolts up the stairs with me, where I bump into Max on the way up.

“Ivy? What’s going on?” Max asks, still in his biker clothes.