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Murder in Her Eyes
by Terrie Leigh Relf

My sister, Cara, had been missing for months. Our parents always brought up that that weird psychic twin thing, and would have melt-downs every time I shook my head that I didn’t sense her, didn’t hear her thoughts in my mind, or didn’t have the slightest idea where she was.

“Perhaps it’s because you’re fraternal, rather than identical, twins, Mara,” our neighbor, Dr. Ramos, a local psychologist, told me when she visited the house. I don’t think it consoled them, though. Nevertheless, our family and neighbors, along with the police, continued to hold onto their misguided hope. Then again, it didn’t look good.

Until the first letter arrived from Cara . . .and then a second and a third, each one saying pretty much the same thing . . . that she apologized for causing everyone to worry and she just needed to process her recent divorce.

Cara’s husband, Mac, had also left town recently, which made him suspect number one, according to the police. My parents didn’t believe he was capable of murder, though. Neither did I. For one, their divorce was more or less amicable. For two, he had never rose his voice to her, much less slapped or hit her. For three, well, if anyone was capable of murder, it would be my sister, Cara. She’d always had a bit of a temper, which was one of the reasons why they divorced—that, and her insane jealousy. She was such a cliché. Every time Mac would go out of town for business, she’d alternately accuse him of cheating on her or planning to leave her.

Then again, she had a point. Mac was cheating on her, but not when he was out of town. You see, he was cheating on her with me. Furthermore, he was planning on leaving her, too. So, perhaps she wasn’t such a cliché after all. She did, however, have what looked like murder in her eyes when I finally told her.

About three weeks ago, we had a rare sunny day, so Mac and I took her out to our childhood hideout in the woods for a picnic. We drank champagne, enjoyed a charcuterie and cheese board with baguettes. I even bought Cara some of those chocolate truffles she loved so much.

It was close to dusk when we told her. While I expected her to rant and rave given that murderous glaze in her eyes, she didn’t move a muscle. Neither did Mac. Perhaps it was the sedative I’d put in their champagne. After all, I didn’t want them to squirm once I went to work on them with the bread knife. It felt divine to see their expressions shift from confusion to panic, then to unadulterated fear and agony. Seriously divine.

Then there was the way all that delicious blood spattered and pooled . . .

Truth be told, I’d never liked my sister. Mac? Well, he lied to me. They were getting back together, and he was going to dump me. Me!

Fiction © Copyright Terrie Leigh Relf
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More from author Terrie Leigh Relf:

The Sisterhood of the Blood Moon

For thousands of Earth years, the Transgalactic Consortium has had a quiet interest in this planet and its inhabitants, the Haurans. While the Sisterhood of the Blood Moon works together with the Consortium and Haurans to maintain balance in the universe, the Blood Moon is fast approaching. The power of this moon reveals untold secrets . . . including a sacred covenant with the Mora Spiders. There is an ancient pact that needs to be honored—but at what cost and for whose purpose? The world may come to an end. But will there be a chance for a new beginning?

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