Ghosts and Dead Women
969 Words
The picture of the woman had my face on it.
It's more than just a likeness. Not just things that are alike. It was like looking into a mirror that held the past—her eyes, the way her jaw curved, and the way her lips tilted in a smile that she didn't say.
The picture was hidden behind a bunch of old, dusty books in Damon's office. I didn't mean to look around—I really didn't. But I couldn't sleep after seeing the note and Damon's failure to explain. Those scary words kept playing over and over in my mind.
"You know he killed her."
Now, this picture.
"Who are you?" "I told the picture in a whisper.
I turned it over.
Claire Vann.
The name was written in messy black ink, almost like a red flag. My stomach turned.
That voice of Damon broke through my thoughts.
"Why do you want to be here?" “
When I jumped, I almost dropped the picture.
I lied and put the picture behind my back while saying, "I—I couldn't sleep." "I was just taking a look."
He moved forward slowly, and you couldn't read his face. "In my own office?" “
My hands were shaking. I held up a picture and said, "I found a picture." Daron, she looks a lot like me. What is her name? “
His eyes turned cold. "Give it to me."
"No."
"Aurora," he said, and his voice changed into a tone that made my skin crawl. "You can't see that."
"Tell me who she is!" “
"She's gone."
There was a crash of silence between us.
I looked at him. "Knew her, right?" “
He let out a sharp breath, then walked over to the bar cart and poured himself a drink. "Her name was Celeste." I did know her, though. I was going to marry her.
Was.
I held on to the desk's edge. "Where did she go?" “
"She passed away." That is all you need to know.
"That's not enough."
The glass hit the ground. "That's all you'll get."
After that, Damon shut down for good. He wouldn't look me in the eye. It's like the ball and his kiss were never there again.
The house felt like a haunted palace for a few days after that. Away from me, Damon. Doors that are locked. Calls that were whispered. I couldn't stop thinking about the picture.
What made her look like me?
Was it a mistake, or did it mean that I was picked?
Marla, the maid, tried to answer, but all she did was shake her head nervously. "Don't go digging in Mr. Blackwood's past, dear. It's dangerous."
Risky?
Behind Damon's locked office door one night, I heard him on the phone with someone.
"She doesn't know," I said. She also won't. Celeste has died. "She's not going back."
But the low, angry way he said it made my skin crawl.
When he left for a meeting, I came back to the office. I knew it was dangerous. I had to know the truth, though.
I looked through the box at the bottom of his desk and found an old package that was sealed with red wax. There were news stories from five years ago inside.
"Cornelia Vann, an heiress, was found dead in her fiancé's estate pool."
Possible accident. There is no proof of foul play. That's it for now.
But there was a police note stuck to the back:
"Damon Blackwood refused to be questioned." Avoidant behavior.
My heart stopped beating.
When I put the file back, I saw that there was another picture stuck under the box liner. I pulled it out with hands that were shaking.
It was me.
Having on a white dress. Being next to Damon.
But what about the back date?
It was four years ago.
My voice broke. "That's not possible."
The door opened slowly at first.
He stood there with a pale face.
"That wasn't supposed to be there."
I moved back. "Damon, what the hell is going on?" “
He took a slow step forward.
It was not meant for you to remember.
My heart was racing as I squeezed the picture in my hand even tighter. Claire Vann. I remembered her name like a brand.
It scared me how much she looked like me.
I didn't know Damon was there until I felt him behind me.
"What do you want to do?" His voice was soft, but there was something sharp in it.
I turned around while holding the picture behind my back. "Nothing." "Just getting my things in order."
His eyes went to the edge of the paper that I was holding. "Is that yours?" “
I took a natural step back. "Woman, who is she?" “
It wasn't an answer.
"Do you believe her name is Celeste?" “
Something flashed in his eyes, maybe pain. Then it was gone, and ice took its place. "Where did you discover that?" “
"In my purse." I shook my head no. "After the gala." "Someone wants me to learn about her." Why? “
"That doesn't matter to you," he snapped.
"But she looks like me." It can't be a coincidence, right?
Damon moved toward her. "Put it down, Aurora."
He gently cupped my face with his hand, but I could tell there was anger behind his smile.
"Just tell me the truth," I asked. "I whispered, my heart racing.
He leaned in and kissed me on the lips. I told Aurora, "Because some truths kill."
After that, he turned around and left.
I stood still and stared at the door. A second note flew out from behind the picture when I looked back down at it.
This one was made by hand. New pen.
"Next you.”
- Writer
