Page 102 - The Houseguest

earthers” who have twisted science to fit their idea that the earth is not round. I guess one can make oneself believe anything.
However, putting aside my ridiculous theory left me with the question again. Why would Rachel Spence have a file in her desk with photos of the two people she murdered? I searched deeper into the file. I bypassed the clippings for I knew every word of every article verbatim. I could remember reading and re-reading them as if the ending would somehow change. When I realized they were not doing me any favors, I burned them in the fireplace at the condo. Eventually, I burned everything – Katie’s clothes, her first-grade graduation certificate, even Karina’s poetry book from the beach house. The only remnant of her works hung in frames in her inspiration room, for they would soon serve an important purpose in my schematic.
I continued carefully turning pages in the file until I reached many handwritten letters. As I began reading, I realized they were all written by Rachel, to whom they were intended however was not immediately clear.
“It’s my first weekend at home since the trial ended. I am attempting to sort out my feelings. April has been trying to keep me busy with our usual tasks, but none of them seem to interest me now. What have I done? I asked the private investigator for their photos...I had to see them. There is nothing I can do to erase the past. The legal system declared that I was not to be punished, at least behind bars. Perhaps they knew that I would suffer far greater punishment trying to be normal again living with the guilt of my behavior. A little girl...for Chrissake...a little girl. God, how -- why do I deserve to live?”
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The Houseguest by Linda Ellis www.LindaEllis.life