Hate me

Aspen

It’s been five days since they found Shadow’s body and the police aren’t giving any details. 

And that includes my stepfather, who claims it’s out of his jurisdiction and he doesn’t have any extra information to offer me.

Hell, they won’t even release her name officially. However, the police must have something, though, because her wake is tonight…which means they obviously released her body to her parents. 

As for Knox, he’s barely been home. 

But when he is, it’s only in the wee hours of the morning and he keeps both doors to his basement locked up tight like it’s some kind of fortress. 

I’ve tried to grill him on the car rides to and from school this week, but he doesn’t say a word. 

Which is why I’m beyond shocked when I walk into the funeral home and see him standing stoic like a statue in the back of the room where Shadow’s wake is being held.  

A shiver travels up my spine. 

I once watched a true crime show where some experts claimed that the killer always makes an appearance at the funeral. 

Is that why he’s here?

I look around for Brie, but she told me she and Colton wouldn’t be here until later. 

I freeze when I see what I can only assume must be Shadow’s parents standing by her coffin. Her father is shaking hands, thanking everyone for coming…but her mom. 

Is a complete wreck. 

She’s so distraught, her thin frame shaking so badly, the woman can barely stand next to her husband. 

I probably have no business being here since Shadow and I didn’t like each other, but I feel compelled to pay my respects. 

There are a decent number of kids from school in attendance tonight, but none I know well enough to approach and strike up a conversation with. 

 I can feel them staring at me and whispering things as I wait in line. 

Like how I’m the stepsister of a killer. 

That I might be next because he hates me. 

The knot in my stomach tightens when it’s my turn to go up to the casket. 

Her coffin is beautiful…well, for a coffin. However, it’s the framed picture sitting on top of the ivory casket that snags my attention as I kneel and make the sign of the cross. 

The Shadow I knew had colorful hair, thick black eyeliner, and piercings. But the Shadow in this picture looks completely different. Her hair is blonde, her makeup is minimal, and there are no piercings to be found. 

She doesn’t look very happy, though. Almost like someone was forcing her to smile for the camera. 

And now she’s dead. 

That thought has my eyes filling with tears as I stand. 

She was only eighteen and had her whole life ahead of her…but just like Candi’s, it was stolen. And then her body was discarded in the woods like trash. 

My eyes lock with Knox’s across the room. 

The stupid organ in my chest tells me there’s a chance he didn’t do it. 

But my brain is telling me the writing on the wall is so obvious it’s practically written in their blood, and I’d be an idiot to think otherwise. 

“Were you friends with June?” Shadow’s father asks, bringing me out of my thoughts as he reaches for my hand. 

June? 

I quickly realize they weren’t cool hippie parents who named their daughter Shadow after all. 

I don’t want to lie, but I don’t think me telling them we couldn’t stand one other would be appropriate either. 

“We went to Black Mountain Academy,” I settle on.

The father nods. “Well, thank you for attending—” he gestures for me to fill in the blank. 

“Aspen,” I chime in. 

The mother suddenly perks up beside him. “You’re Aspen?” 

Oh, shit. I should have told her a different name. No doubt she’s heard the rumors going around about Knox. 

I back away slowly as not to upset them further, but she grabs my hand. “June used to talk about you all the time.” 

Fuck. 

This woman is going to punch me, and I’m going to let her because her daughter was murdered, and God knows she could use the outlet.  

However, the next words out of her mouth send me reeling. 

“She said you gave her a position on student council.” The mother smiles at her husband fondly. “You two were even in the same ballet class.” 

I fight the urge to tell her the only dancing I’ve ever done was on a pole while wearing a G-string. 

Clearly, they have me confused with someone else. 

“Thank you for not only making her student council secretary, but taking the time to study with her after school at your house. Her math grades improved greatly because of you.” She gives my hand a squeeze. “Our June was lucky to have such a good friend.” 

Dammit, Shadow. Usually when you’re using someone as a cover up, you give them a heads up about it. 

“Right.” 

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Shadow—or rather, June— told her parents she was hanging out with me whenever she was spending time with Knox.

“June was a great person. She’ll be missed,” I fib, because they need those little white lies. 

With that, I give them a somber smile and walk away. 

It’s crazy how sometimes you really don’t know a person after all.

How we all have our secrets. 

I scan the back of the room for Knox so I can get to the bottom of this, but someone takes hold of my elbow. 

When I look up, I see my mother. And Trent. 

“What are you doing here?” 

“We came to pay our respects,” Trent answers. 

“But we see you already have,” my mother notes. 

Trent juts his chin toward his son, who’s just spotted us. Knox attempts to walk out, but Trent is hot on his heels. He swiftly reaches for his shoulder, ushering him out of the room. 

“Where are you going, Aspen?” my mother hisses as I leave her side, but I ignore her. 

I catch the tail end of their conversation as I walk out to the parking lot. 

“Get your ass back in there,” Trent sneers through gritted teeth. 

Knox’s jaw tics as he presses the unlock button on his key fob. “Can’t. I have somewhere to be.” 

Trent jabs a finger in his face. “The only place you need to be is where I goddamn tell you to be. Understood—” He stops when he sees me standing there. “Do you mind? I’m talking to my son.” 

Thinking quick, I blurt, “I just wanted to tell you that I’m leaving to go to Violet’s.” 

He glowers. “Not right now, you’re not. We’re going up to that casket as a family to pay our respects to June and her par—”

“Shadow,” Knox grits out, his expression indecipherable. “She liked to be called Shadow. Not June.” 

Trent looks like it’s taking every ounce of willpower not to lose his shit. “I don’t give a fuck what she liked to be called. I came here tonight to do you a favor. Now get your ass in there.” He glares at me next. “Both of you.” 

I cross my arms, returning his glare. “I’m not going up there twice.” 

I can tell he wants to argue, but a small group of people walk past us to their car. “Fine.” He gestures to Knox. “Let’s go.” 

I inhale a heavy breath as they head back inside the building. 

Knox might not be emotional about Shadow’s passing, but he scolded his father for calling her June. 

That has to mean something…right? 

Then again, he ran out of the funeral home like his ass was on fire, and he hasn’t been home much this week. 

I rub my temples, forcing myself to think.