The Photo Thief by Delozier J. L

Author:Delozier, J. L. [Delozier, J. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, thriller, Paranormal
ISBN: 9780744307221
Amazon: 0744307228
Goodreads: 60182289
Publisher: CamCat Books
Published: 2022-10-18T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

NOVEMBER 9TH, 5TH JOURNAL ENTRY

Ruth and Paul had an argument today, which was shocking. Why? I shouldn’t be able to hear Paul. I haven’t heard Paul’s voice since I was twelve. Ruth has always drowned him out, him and the others. Either her control is slipping or they’re getting stronger. Both possibilities are equally terrifying. He’s an evil, monstrous man.

Ruth’s voice was clear, but Paul’s was like an old-time radio, distant and distorted by static. I only heard about every third word he said. Sounds funny, doesn’t it? It’s not. Today, I heard my name. And then I heard yours.

Underneath Ruth and Paul, other voices rumbled, an unwelcome resurgence of unknown cause. Could it be my meds? My neurologist tweaked them after my last seizure. They’ve caused many side effects throughout the years: brain fog, irritability, even formication—the feeling of bugs crawling across my skin. But not hallucinations. Never voices.

I clapped my hands over my ears to drown out their angry words. I want them all to leave, even Ruth. I know I shouldn’t. I haven’t kept my promise of finding her killer. Not yet. Besides, she’s my friend. Friends don’t want friends to go away. But six years is enough. I don’t remember what quiet sounds like.

Paul is the only one strong enough to attack Ruth’s dominance, and he seems to be growing stronger every day. Even so, I never see him, like I do Ruth. I feel him, though, and it scares me. His presence is malevolent, like a thundercloud on the horizon, spreading insidiously until it blacks out the sky. Ruth has always held him back, kept him in check. What if she doesn’t or can’t? What will he do to me? To you?

While they argued, the air in the photo room grew frigid, the lights flickered on and off, and the chandelier swung so wildly on its brass chain I was afraid it would come crashing to the floor. At one point, Ruth slammed the piano lid shut, releasing a burst of random notes. She loves drama. Thrives on it. Me, not so much. I awoke on the floor in the middle of the room with my head pounding and a bloody nose.

Ruth stood over me, staring at the blood dripping from my nose with disgust and horror. “It’s all right now, Cassandra. He’s gone. I won’t let him hurt you.”

“But what about everyone else?” I asked. “What about Pap and Detective Brennan and everyone who walks into this room?”

She strolled to the piano and delicately perched on its bench, clasping her hands in her lap like a schoolmarm. Her smile was colder than the room. “I can only do so much.”

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