A Serpent in My Bed

ttered the m

ca's

in an instant,

d down

guest room door

ars streaming down her face, pointing a shak

my room! He touche

nfused, just stared at her. "What?

faces etched with alarm. M

ing on?" D

ollapsing against my mother. "Your

implicate Michael.

he man in the ro

igure appeared

il

surprise visit. Her face was pale, her ey

pered, her hand fly

Not

ough Jessica's hysterics. I rushed to her side, guidin

me, her eyes f

stop th

a precaution for Emily," I said

you sure it

mine. A flicker of something –

be?" she sobbed. "He w

ecause Michael was locked in his room al

the old sk

s turne

ed. "Sarah, you... y

rbances." I glanced pointedly at Dave, who was no

security cameras. Dad installed them last year after

ff. We had

ca didn't

er eyes darted around, as if se

?" she w

ust check the footage and see e

le

s face w

sure it was Michael? Or could it be...

ed to Dave, t

allowe

he stammered. "It was dark. I... I t

ified. "You came

the peacemaker,

tanding." She looked at Dave, then at Jessica. "Dave, perhaps... pe

the earth to swallow him, mum

. Enough to make Jessica feel vindicat

ey, her eyes still s

'd outmane

n't know th

the doctor and declared perfectly fine, j

me up like that, Sarah," sh

truth, Jessica. Something you

rowed. "This

aid softly. "It's

torme

cold satisfaction

one,