I'd suddenly understood that when Ian discovered that Morgan was missing, he must have run straight from the granary to the house. When he'd heard Tyler crying out, he'd shouted "Home Guard!" to try to scare Morgan, probably not realizing how far progressed she'd gotten and that she had no capacity left to fear anything.

I still hadn't been able to bring myself to move at that point. Morgan's slumped, naked body lay awkwardly at my knees. Her elbow rested limply on my thigh.

I watched Ian take in the scene of Morgan lying dead, Tyler still sobbing, mortified, and me dumbly holding a blood-soaked knitting needle.

"I stopped her in time," I mumbled. "She didn't c..." I began. "She didn't finish. Tyler should be okay, I think."

Before Ian could say anything, Danielle arrived in the laundry room, practically tripping over me as she came in. She saw Morgan, then she saw Tyler buttoning up his jeans. For a moment she looked like she might pass out, then she just bent over and put her hands between her knees. She started sobbing without making a sound. It seemed as though maybe this was all more than she could take and she was about to completely break down.

"What have you done!" she suddenly shrieked at me. "Why didn't you let them take her away? Now . . . this! She did this to my son! Your own nephew!" She gestured toward Tyler indignantly and held me in a hateful glare. "What have you done?"

Ian grabbed Danielle as she started to pitch forward, crying so intensely now that her words became unintelligible.

"Listen, Danielle." Ian spoke firmly, wrapping his arms around her. "It wasn't Ashley. It was me. Do you understand? I've been sheltering Morgan. This is all my fault. Not Ashley's. I think Ashley may have in fact just saved Tyler. She stopped Morgan just in time, before it was too late. Tyler's probably safe."

My sister jerked away from Ian's arms. "Safe? How can you possibly know that for sure?" Then she slumped forward again, sobbing. "I'm just so scared," she said. "So scared. Things are only getting worse."

Now that Tyler had his pants on, he hurried off to his room, shaken and embarrassed. He refused to look anywhere near Morgan's body as he rushed away.

Ian walked my sister into the kitchen. I still hadn't moved. From the dark washroom, I watched my brother-in-law embracing Danielle, stroking her hair, whispering into her ear as he comforted her.

I'd never felt more alone. For a moment I would have given anything in the world to trade places with my sister.

I knew I couldn't stay at the house long.

Luckily it turned out that Shawn wasn't there. He was still required to bunk at the Center, even with his wounded hand. Still, it wasn't safe for me to be at the house. Ian had taken Danielle to talk with Tyler in my sister's old bedroom, and I decided I should give them a few minutes together, as a family. Then I would ask Ian what to do with Morgan's body and leave as quickly as possible.

I had to think calmly and practically, or I knew I'd go crazy. For now, I tried not to let myself think about Morgan as a person or as my best friend at all. If I let myself feel anything, it was the vague desire to have Ian to myself for a few minutes, and for him to put his arms around me, for just a moment, and to let him give me a little comfort after what I'd just done. I'd lost my best friend. If anyone would understand what that meant, it would be Ian.

After fifteen minutes or so I lightly knocked on my sister's door. . .

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Please VOTE 🌟 before continuing! Thanks! ;) xxBailey