I went online on my phone searching for any cottages for rent, I found one in County Kilkenny. It was placed three kilometers from anyone else. Thankfully it was still available.

I took the railway there. It was a dark cottage, small and cosy. I placed the package from the plane on the table, it smelled rotten. I would have liked to be around other people but didn’t want anyone to get involved. It wouldn’t be the first time they killed their way to their target. The package was a big reminder of that. Three fingers, from three different people, from the ceremony. I took off the lid and took another look. Tears streamed down my face, one of the fingers was from Melisa, I recognized her ring.

I was five the first time I was allowed at the ceremony. Nine from the family and three victims. We were all dressed in colourful clothes, dancing and singing. They danced around the victims and stabbed them while they passed. At eight I joined and the oldest from the family joined the victims.

Melisa had been one of them and that was my fault. I just bawled my eyes out. It was dark outside when I finally stopped. I walked around the house locking the door and windows. It was a camera for the front door that I connected to my phone. I took a shower and took a knife from the kitchen and went to bed.

When I woke up a big package was laying beside me. I took out my phone and checked the camera, nothing. I ran around the house checking the door and windows, everything was locked. I went back to bed and looked at the package. “Two days to get ready.” The package had clothes in it. The family Christmas clothes. It was a black dress with a red bow on it. It felt so familiar in my hands. I had started putting it on before I realized what I was doing. I threw it on the ground, disgusted with myself. I took out my phone searching for a car to buy and found one not too far away. I put money on the table, took the knife with me and left.

At the car shop I looked for a car that didn’t stick out. I chose a light grey one and got on my way. I drew all day, only stopped to refuel and get something to eat. From time to time I drove in circles, no car seemed to follow me. My eyes got heavy. I drove in on a small gravel road and parked. I made sure everything was locked before getting some shut-eye.

I awoke to the sound of footsteps. I turned on the car and the light eliminated the darkness outside. A note was stuck to the hood, “One day just for you.” I looked around me. Seven people in black and red clothes were walking towards the car. They were smiling, like this was just another walk for them. I turned the key, it clicked before dying down. I tried again and again but the car wouldn’t move. I checked the car door, it was still locked.

I took out the knife, curled up and waited. Hearing the footsteps getting closer and closer.