Novels2022-Trauma Bonds by Carlson Katherine

Author:Carlson, Katherine [Carlson, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, American Suspense, Psychological Suspense, Domestic Thriller
Published: 2022-08-16T00:00:00+00:00

35

Dell’s gaze darted between the journal and the wall clock.

Time to break her honor code. First, she needed to break in.

She found a hairpin in the bathroom, bent and fashioned it until the pin fit the tiny tear-shaped lock. Instant click, easier than she thought. Still, she hesitated and sat with the book. Brown leather, worn but sturdy, holding something old and heavy.

And scary…

She thumbed through the initial few pages, all blank, as if Liz predicted this intrusion and permitted her an empty journal. Dell rubbed the paper between her fingers, thick and grainy pulp.

Further along, she landed on the first entry. Written in dark pencil, almost pressed too hard in places, a mix of stern block letters and meandering calligraphy—revealing shifting moods.

***DELILAH***

*DELL*

dell

I love her. She matters most.

Dell frowned, surprised at the curious start. Not what she expected on page one, but not a surprise, either. She perused each of her names, validating her deepest hunch of the truest Liz. She lifted the corner of the paper and turned to where the story began.

DAY ONE:

The girl clings in the night to her bear. There’s no one there? She wishes it were true, but she smells him in the room. She’ll have to hide inside once more. Down to a time and place unknown. Meant for those who breathe without fear.

DAY TWO:

He reeks of dirt and blood and grease. Like the stains left on her nightgown.

Dell squinted at the words until shame forced her to close the book. She carried the journal downstairs and unearthed a box of last year’s Christmas candles. Lit them all and watched the shadows creep across the walls. She put the kettle on yet again, unsure what she hoped to gain by ransacking secrets. “It won’t change things.”

She settled into “Liz’s chair” and closed her eyes. Ready to play detective and let her pet monster voice roam free—the best sleuths proved intuitive. Discount the wild fringe, but never reject harsh reality. Or pages worth of brutal honesty. The kind that worms its way in and chews from the inside out.

The kettle’s whistle startled her, first time ever. She checked the locks and scowled. Not like her to scare over boiling water.

You’re not freaked over the damn tea. Perma-scared is the new resting state.

Yes. At this point, anything could make her jump.

Speculating on Liz’s whereabouts made her queasy. The city’s immensity still shocked her, filled to the brim with threats. Hazards she dealt with every day on the job. “She’s with Chad. Downing shots and playing pool. End of story.”

Her inner voice disagreed.

She wrapped herself in a wool blanket and resumed where she left off.

DAY THREE:

Sitting on dirty knees, rough hands rubbing mine. The awful thing on its way. Not if, but when. The jackal in the night never abstains. Little self cannot stop it, cannot speak—shackled to a callous fate. But she has wings in her mind, a goody bag of tricks. Disappear birdie, fly away. High as you can go into the invisible sky.

DAY FOUR:

Too many tricks.

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