Apple Walker wakes up with a splitting headache. She feels as if someone had hit her with a bat. Something cold presses up under her chin forcing her heavy head up. She stares into the cold, pale yellow eyes of the teen.

“You do not know how badly I want to kill you,” she says. Her voice low and hollow. “I had my suspicions when I saw you. That mark proves me right.”

Apple Walker notices the side-handle police baton in the teen’s hand as she presses the weapon against the mark. Apple Walker had wanted to ask a question but something in her mouth keeps her silent.

“This phone holds all the evidence of why I killed those bastards.” The teen places the phone into one of the front pockets of the ballistic vest. “This ‘flash drive’, I think that is what it is called, is a copy of that phone; should it happen to disappear if my suspicions are correct.” The teen rests her right hand on the back of the chair, staring into the Warden’s soul with her pale yellow eyes. She grins and leans closer to whisper in the Warden’s ear. “Relax.”

Walker did not have long to wonder why she had told her that because the girl slips a hand down her pants. Walker whimpers and squirms. She pleads with the teen with tearful eyes.

“Just a precaution. Relax.”

Walker yelps when the three centimeter long object slides into her womanhood.

“Keep this our little secret.” The teen winks. She walks over to the tables set with weapons. “What I did here is simple: justice—vengeance. What is on that phone warrants further investigation.”

The Warden watches as the teen packs a backpack with a pistol, her side arm, the spare magazines she keeps for her side arm, a short double-barreled shotgun, two box of shells, two boxes of rifle bullets, three knives, paracord, rope, hatchet, and machete. The teen slings the backpack and rifle on her shoulders. She plucks an unfamiliar looking syringe off the table.

“I am not sure what this is. I am pretty certain it will put you to sleep though.” The teen bites off the cap of the syringe and stabs the needle into the Warden’s neck. “With your luck, it will not be the permanent kind of sleep.”

Before Apple Walker’s consciousness fades, she hears the teen say, “Tell Starlight to never give up her dream.”

Walker wakes up with her heart trying to break out of her chest which launches her up.

“Easy there, Walker!” A familiar voice greets her. Looking to her side, she sees Captain Verdant Viridian sitting on the ambulance bench. “Welcome back to the land of the living!” Her voice and smile drop as she says, “We have taxes.”

“I feel like I can run ten marathons!”

The Captain laughs. “Yeah. Adrenaline will do that to you. Had to wake you up after you got pumped with enough tranq to put down a horse.”

“Did we catch her?”

“Nope. She incapacitated five of Vanhoover’s ‘finest’ during her escape.” The Captain’s green brows furrow. “Bastards already trying to call this their jurisdiction.” A green brow arches as she watches her Sergeant fiddle around with the pockets of her ballistic vest. “Lose something?”

“The phone!” Walker exclaims. She continues searching all her pockets.

“The only phone is see is the one clipped to your belt.” The Captain points out with a light green finger gun.

“No! The suspect’s phone. She gave me the phone and—“ Walker stops her train of thought. A quick Kegel clench and she sighs with relief; noting her odd relief.

“‘And?’” Captain Viridian rolls her hand to encourage the Sergeant to continue.

“And... and she said it had evidence.”

Captain Viridian glowers and spits on the ground. “I’m going to give that useless piece of shit police captain a piece of my mind. Get back to the office and write up your report. Take the rest of the day off.” Before Walker can decline, Viridian cuts her off, “That’s an order.”

“Yes, sir, ma’am.” Walker replies, dejection heavy on her words.

At first, Starlight had thought that night was a dream—the torture, the video, the killing. Starlight sighs as she remembers the kiss by the campfire. She rubs the bandage over her chest. ‘Lucky’ the doctor had said when she first woke up.

Starlight had felt betrayed and beyond pissed off when she first woke up. Then as the doctor had explained to her about the extent of her wound, she understood. Stabbing her takes away any of the blame and throws it all onto Shade. Coming up with the story had proved difficult until a lovely bouquet of flowers showed up with a beautifully coded poem.

On the third day of Starlight’s hospital stay, Sunset shows up.

“Good afternoon, Starglim.” Sunset greets her friend.

Starlight notices how far away Sunset stands from the hospital bed. Starlight smiles. “Hey, Sunshim! What’s up?”

Sunset tucks a crimson streak of hair behind her right ear with her right hand. She makes a few hesitant steps towards Starlight. “So, um, h-how’ve you been?”

“Meh. Could be worse, could be better.” Starlight watches Sunset pat the right side of her head as she smooths out her hair. Sunset takes a step closer and stands beside Starlight’s left arm.

“Did...did you two r-really do that s-stuff for me?”

Realization clicks within Starlight’s head. So that’s how they want to play this game.

“What have you heard?”

“Um... that Shade k-killed those four...”

“Bullies,” Starlight finishes for Sunset. Sunset flinches then nods her head. “Why didn’t you tell me about them?” Starlight grabs Sunset’s hand and pulls her close. Sunset’s eyes grow wide. “You’re not alone any more, Sunset.”

“I-I—“

Starlight hugs Sunset. “You’re my sister. I’ll do anything for you. You can trust me with anything. You know that, right?” She feels Sunset grow more rigid.

“You can t-trust me t-too...”

Starlight pulls away and holds Sunset’s hands within hers. She speaks down at the covers, “I saw Shade... kill that first guy. I ran. I ran away. Not from Shade. Not from death. I ran because...” Starlight lifts her head to stare into Sunset’s shimmering cyan eyes, “because I enjoyed it.”

Sunset pales. She sees the sincerity in Starlight’s dull blue eyes. She steps away but Starlight keeps a tight grip on her hands.

“What those bastards did to you,” Starlight’s voice carries malice, “what they did to those girls—to Gingerbread! They deserved it. Shade should have made them suffer more.”

“You’re hurting me, Starlight!” Sunset cries.

Not realizing what she had done, Starlight looks down to see her gripping Sunset’s apricot hands.
“Sorry!” Starlight quickly releases her grip.

Sunset recoils back and massages her hands. She opens her mouth to speak but instead turns away to walk out the door.

Starlight watches as Sunset makes a hasty retreat out the doors. The pang growing in her heart brings tears to her eyes. A knock on the door grabs her attention. She beckons the Wildlife Warden in.

“Walker, Wildlife Warden. Good afternoon, Starlight.”

Starlight represses her boiling anger with the sincerest smile she can muster. “It’s you! Thank you for saving me!”

“Just the right place at the right time, li’l lady,” the Warden replies. She fiddles with the black cowboy hat in her hands for a moment, her cerise eyes wonder what to say next. “Yer erm, friend, wanted to tell ya to never give up on yer dream.”

“When did she tell you that?”

“Erm... she caught me and tied me up.”

A grin spreads across Starlight’s face. “I see.”

Walker wields a coy smile. “I’ve gotta go. Just stopped in to say that.”

Starlight waves goodbye to the Warden. Why is she alive? What does Shade want to do with her?

Her anger starts to simmer as she vents in her mind. “Why did she leave me? We could’ve escaped together! Kill the Warden in the cabin! Never give up on my dream? That dream was with you the moment I kissed you!”

Footsteps catch her attention as they enter her room. “Knock! Knock!”

“Hello, Cobalt Blossom. What brings you here?” Starlight sees the woman carrying another bouquet of flowers in a vase. She brings sets them down on the night stand beside the hospital bed. Starlight reaches for the card.

“You sure are popular.”

Starlight scoffs. “Sure. People always send flowers when someone gets hurt or dies. Never ‘just because’. So why are you here?”

“Shade asked if I would help with a little project you girls are working on. Something about a sign translator?” Cobalt Blossom watches Starlight’s face furrow as she reads the card. “What’s wrong?” Starlight hands the card over to Cobalt.

My dearest Shade,

All my love and devotion can not fit on this card. I knew when we first locked eyes that you and I were meant to be! I marvel at your brilliance.

Why did you lead the police to my playground? Did you not want me to play with others? Selfish, naughty, teasing, Shade!

Shade!

How I ever lived without you I can never fathom! I hope you will continue to play with me!

The moon pales with how your skin reflects the light! Dancing under the stars and by the fire, you were as a nymph that stepped out of the river.

You knew I would be there. You knew I would see.
You knew, so why did you not come to me? I waited ever so patiently in the trap. Biting my tongue as you played with Starlight. When you two kissed, were you thinking of me? You looked at me so you must have!

I can take your teasing only for so long. I need release! I need you! Do not keep me waiting. I am not above breaking other’s toys to get what I want.

P.S. Love your work with the Governor and the Chief of Police.

“That goes way beyond crazy.” Cobalt breaks the silence that had filled the room. “You should definitely take this to the police and go under protective custody.”

“What do you think they meant with the post script?” Starlight says after moments of silence.