All the Little Lights

by Jamie McGuire

Mrs. Mason shook her head, her brunette hair stained with blood and dirt. “Don’t let her out.” Something banged against the door. “Catherine! Let us out!” The door banged again. Catherine pressed both palms against the door to keep the wood from breaking free of the hinges, and I helped her, leaning my back against it and pushing against the opposite wall with my shoes. Mavis sounded like a man again. I pushed my feet harder against the wall. As crazy as it sounded, Mavis was stronger when she was Duke. “He killed Presley,” I said in disbelief. “The guy. Duke.” “It was all of them,” Mrs. Mason said, a single tear spilling down her cheek. “She’s dead.” She covered her mouth, trying to stifle her cries. “Presley is dead.”

I’m just… just give me a second this is a lot to process.