The Clairvoyant

7

As I pulled up to the vacation home, the sky unleashed a downpour, punctuated by ominous peals of thunder. Stepping out, a flash of lightning revealed my pallid reflection on the car window.

Heading to the trunk, I retrieved a metal wrench, concealing it within my sleeve for what might come next.

The house was eerily silent as I entered, save for the faint sound of running water and clinking dishes from the kitchen. Diana was there, back turned, engrossed in washing up, unaware of my presence.

"Where's the other person?" I broke the silence, startling her. The dish she was holding shattered on the floor as she turned to face me, her expression morphing from surprise to fear.

The wrench slipped from my sleeve with a clang. I picked it up, my gaze fixed on her.

"Megan?" I prodded, taking a step forward. Diana's fear intensified, her voice breaking as she insisted she was alone.

I weighed the wrench in my hand, each motion sending shivers down Diana's spine. "Shouldn't you be more welcoming, given our relationship? Or is your guilt keeping you from it?"

Her tears couldn't sway me. As she attempted to flee, I caught her, throwing her to the ground. My grip tightened around her throat, my anger boiling over at her perceived betrayals.

In a desperate move, Diana sprayed me with pepper spray, blinding me momentarily. A kick sent me crashing through a coffee table.

Lying on the ground, disoriented and in pain, I could hear Diana's furious accusations. She denied all my suspicions, her voice filled with a mix of rage and desperation.

"Hayes, you're crazy! I never betrayed you. I've never seen any man or Megan. I think being in the mental hospital made you insane too!"

Diana's shouting echoed faintly. I struggled to open my eyes but everything was blurry. Still, I made out Diana standing at the top of the stairs, holding something.

I staggered up. You've really angered me now.

I grabbed the wrench off the floor and charged at her like a madman. Screams, thunder, then sudden silence.

I froze in front of Diana, her panicked face coming into focus.

I looked down. She was gripping a paring knife, the blade buried in my body.

So that's what she was holding...

I collapsed slowly, the world spinning then fixing on the ceiling. My body went limp, strength ebbing away.

Just then the door opened again. Clear heels clicked closer.