My Dearest Darkest

by Kayla Cottingham

Sometimes it felt like doctors just threw darts at a board in the break room and whatever it hit was that day’s diagnosis.

How easily they walk into a trap, a voice whispered softly within her mind. Humans are but animals, I suppose. And all animals can be lured with the right bait. A chuckle. I’ve missed this.

“If you don’t mind me asking…what do you think changed things for them? Dumb luck? More practice?” Without missing a beat, Mrs. DeLuca said, “A deal with the devil.”

she’s in my head hooks in my brain inside my hair fingers clenching fingers tight suck inside like a burr on a shoe spines she has spines her spines teeth chewing me up chewing my guts she’s gonna eat me you alive

It was hard to find something to say about an unspeakable thing.

Simon threw open the door and hopped out. “Did I get it?” “Holy fuck,” Selena breathed. “Yeah, Simon, you got it.”