Outtakes Chapter 2

Iris pulled the Magic Marker away, revealing what she'd drawn on the wall. It was an old-fashioned wishing well, complete with an A-frame roof and crank. Hanna blinked hard, stunned. Little prickles danced up her arms. The wishing well was eerily familiar… and definitely not a coincidence. (Heartless, p167)

Iris selected the blue Magic Marker from the cup and started doodling on the wall, careful to make it look random. She'd seen the wishing well on the piece of fabric inside Hanna's bag, and connected it to Courtney.

If Hanna asked why she'd drawn it, the reason she'd give would have to be that she'd seen it on the flag. it would also mean playing dumb about what the fabric was for, but it meant she might get some more information about everything. In particular, she might be able to find out more information that she could send to Courtney. Courtney had asked Iris to get Hanna talking about why she was there, as well as getting proof.

The photo they'd just taken on the disposable camera, for instance. Once Iris had any other photos, she'd send the camera to Courtney to be developed. That would be a photo Courtney was sure to want to see.

It was also the ideal opportunity to bring up Courtney's name again-something else Courtney had asked Iris to do.

Courtney had evidently known Hanna, but not told Iris much else.

Iris ran over it all in her head. Courtney had asked her to draw the wishing well, and mention her name often to Hanna. So far, Iris had told her twelve stories about Courtney, giving the impression that Courtney had been at the top of the hierarchy in the hospital. Which, truthfully, she had been.

She couldn't tell if Hanna was impressed or annoyed by the stories about Courtney. Hanna seemed to have a decent poker face, and it was hard to tell what she was thinking.

Suddenly, it hit her. Maybe it wasn't luck or coincidence that Mrs. Colbert was at Applebee's tonight. Maybe someone had told her to come. (Killer, p191)

Isaac's mother had been on her way home from work when her cell phone chimed, alerting her to a new text message. The number was unknown, but it confirmed her suspicions about when Isaac and his new girlfriend had been at home alone the other week.

Then, the other half of the message brought up an interesting idea. if you want to confront Emily about it, you'll find her at Applebee's.

The signature was weird-the message was signed with the letter A.

Regardless of who had sent the message, she did want to confront Emily. This A person had given her a perfect opportunity.

After dinner with her son and husband, she drove out to Applebee's and saw Emily, who was with her sister and friends.

The best thing to do, she decided, would be to wait in the bathroom. While she waited hidden in a stall, she mentally ran through the things she wanted to say.

Finally, someone entered the bathroom and started talking. It sounded like a phone conversation, and the voice was Emily's.

Mrs. Colbert waited until the conversation was almost ended, and then flushed the toilet. She opened the door, noting that Emily seemed to look startled before recovering.

Emily tried to start a polite conversation, and Mrs. Colbert cut her off sharply.

Now, she just had to get through what she wanted to say and then she could get away from this girl.

Before she'd even finished, Emily paled and hurried out of the bathroom.

In a way, it was a shame. The first time she'd met Emily, she'd liked her. A church-going girl, and she'd seemed the respectful type. One who didn't go against what adults said or wanted.

At least now though, Emily and Isaac would probably break up. It was for the best. She didn't want her son to be corrupted by a girl who acted like that. No morals, and no qualms about pre-marital sex.

You like? Hope I wrote Mrs. Colbert okay. Hers was a slightly difficult one.

If there's a particular scene you want to see done here, let me know J

And of course, I welcome reviews.