Carrie Moves On

I was in shock after the senior prom, so I hardly remember what happened. All I remember was Tommie and the blood.

Tommie was Sue's boyfriend. He was the best looking guy in school, and Sue let me borrow him for one magical night. He was so kind to me! We danced and ate and laughed. I felt like a real person. I felt beautiful.

Then I experienced the best thing that had ever happened to me. We were crowned prom King and Queen. I honestly felt bad that Sue had missed it. She should have been the queen, but she gave that gift to me. I'll never forget her for that.

Like I said, I don't remember much more about that night. I do recall going home and washing blood off my dress and my body. The smell was horrible, and it was sticky as maple syrup. I scrubbed myself red getting the blood off me.

Somehow, I ended up at the bus station at dawn, and I had my mother's sewing money on me. I took it before I left for the dance. I had intended to run away from home after my wonderful night with Tommie. For the whole trip to Los Angeles, California I thought that's what I had done. For days, I watched scenery roll past my window and enjoyed mood swings between excitement and serenity.

It was after midnight when I got to the depot in L.A., I realized that I hadn't brought a bag with me. I had left it back in Maine. I was wondering what to do when a young woman appropached me and asked if I wanted to split a cab so she could afford to get down town. She seemed really nice so I agreed.

During the ride Hannah asked me where I was going and I told her that I needed to get a room. I was lying, I didn't have enough money left for that, but I didn't yet know her too well. She offered me a night on her couch, and at first I resisted, but then I thought about my other options and quickly understood that I didn't have any.

Things went great at first! We drank wine and watched a movie. I was so happy that I had made such a good friend so quickly. Because Hannah and I got on so well, and the fact that I was in a new and thrilling place, I though that my life was about to become everything I had ever dreamed that it could be. Someone finally liked me, and I was on my own. Anything was possible!

Then the movie ended and the national news came on.

They told all about what had happened in my hometown, and for a minute it seemed that they were chalking it up to a freak accident at the school. Then they told about what happened to my mother. Her body been found with second and third degree burns and multiple stab wounds. The news station said that fresh leads suggested that foul play was suspected in my mother's murder, and that I was missing. When they showed my senior picture, Hannah turned to me with wide, animal eyes and scooted away from me on the sofa.

I couldn't help it. I swear I didn't mean to do it. I panicked. I couldn't let Hanna turn me in.

First, I pinned her against the wall, and sent a small pillow flying to her face to supress her screams. With one look I whipped the wine glass from Hanna's delicate wrist. It hit the opposite wall with a crystaline crash. Next, I used my mind to lift the broken stem of the glass to her arms. I cut her from wrist to elbow.

It took about ten minutes or so but I kept the pillow to her face, not smothering her, until she finally died from blood loss. It was funny, but I didn't feel bad about it. I just did what I had to do to survive.

Anyway, flash foward 30 years and I am a fairly rich woman officially employed in estate sales. I will confess that Hannah wasn't the last person that I murdered. However, you should also know that after killing her, I stuck to lowlife scum that I found in bars, and the occasional Jehova's Witness or Mormon. I think religion should be a personal journey and no one should shove their beliefs down another person's throat.

My husband, daughter Susan, and I are all atheists but we don't try to go around converting anyone to Science.

I had plastic surgery and have changed my name, so don't bother to look for me. If I feel the need, I will find you.