The taxi driver and I are antsy. Occasionally, our eyes meet in the rear mirror, his to my bloodied shirt and mine to his phone. He's wise not to reach for it because my current state shouldn't mean anything to him. My bloody nose speaks volumes.

The taxi driver and I are antsy. Occasionally, our eyes meet in the rear mirror, his to my bloodied shirt and mine to his phone. He's wise not to reach for it because my current state shouldn't mean anything to him. My bloody nose speaks volumes.

The car comes to a stop. The driver waits for me to pay him. I don't bother searching my pockets for money. 

"Wait here. I'll be right back."

I try to shake the visceral feeling away and focus on the task at hand. The house is empty but I make a cautious step not to make any sound. I haven't stayed here for long to know where they all are; my aunt and her husband but I know who's here. Alice. She must be sleeping, her rake-thin body must be clad in sheets on her new bed. The thought gives me comfort that I've ended it all. We are free.

It's cold outside when I step out and I dread seeing the look on the driver's face as I hand him my fare. He must think I'm a monster. I am. I don't spend much time outside because the walls are shorter than I'm used to and anyone can peek over them and see me. 

In the bathroom, I stare at my reflection transfixed by the illusion I've created. I close my eyes still seeing the body in my mind's eye, buried under dirt and debris and no one will know I did it. They'll never know.

Tears prickle my eyes as I continue to stare at the blood and I don't know if it's real or not, whether this is all a nightmare and it never happened. I'm an echo of the girl I used to be. Pure and innocent isn't who I am anymore. The tap gives out a loud gurgling sound and washes away the blood from my shaking hands. I scrub at them furiously, willing every drop to leave its surface and I know these hands will never touch Alice again, not like the way they used to. 

A sound behind me startles me. My breathing becomes shockingly rapid and I wipe at my brow thinking it must have been the wind. I was stupid enough not to have locked the bathroom door. My sister stands behind me, rubbing at the crust in her sleepy eyes. Her drowsy body relaxes on the door frame and I hold my breath, hoping she's sleepwalking. 

She's a beauty, my Alice, so unlike me. I pray she never becomes me. She should never get the chance to do what I've done and I'll make sure of it.

"Eve?" she says and steps forward, reaching out for me.

Don't touch me. I want to scream, afraid that she too will be plagued by this curse of living a lie. I'm shaking vigorously when I feel the first touch of her warm hands against my icy skin. I pry her fingers off my waist and jerk away.

"Get out, Alice!" I yell at her. "Get the hell away from me."

She runs away.