Chapter 32 Chapter Thirty-One

That evening seemed like a dream.Although I was there, my mind was absent.They can naturally detect that I have abnormalities, the light in my eyes, and the awareness of power.But they didn't notice it, which further increased my need for control.When Owen came home from the grocery shopping, I saw him stunned by Estelle's physical injuries, but despite that, all he said were these few words: Did you fight? He walked over to her, a little too close.She tried to look poised.I went to sit in the seat next to her. She is brave.As soon as this remark came out, I felt embarrassed.Does it look like I'm fighting for favor with Irving?I'd better be careful.I was so excited that my blood was rushing up and down my body, putting me in danger of showing off too much.I must calm down.Fortunately no one seemed to notice.Astrid is still the focus of attention.When I concentrated again, I found that everyone was already distributing food and comparing themselves to the seven dwarves.This filled me with anger.I was left on the sidelines when they so playfully but affectionately assigned the different dwarves to Pipa, Mike, Dalio, and Miles.It brings back memories of playing in the playground as a kid, grouping peers, and ending up with me being the only sad childhood memory nobody wanted.So I made a joke about it and picked myself the role of shy, which no one wants to be.shy.What do they know?

I stuffed mouthfuls of food into my mouth, but I couldn't taste it.They talked and laughed, but the conversation had no effect on me.Occasionally I managed to get in a line, and someone was going to tell a joke, and I would laugh along with it.I even smiled at Pipa and she smiled back at me.I look around the table.Although they call each other friends, how many of them really have a crush on each other?I noticed that Estelle neither spoke nor ate.Look again at Miles, who suddenly puts on a practical face. Listen, he said, I don't want to spoil everyone's spirits, but the chances of us all getting together like this are rare.Just us seven.Dalio, don't you dare to interrupt me again.

I had an epiphany.That's how it should be done. You're right, it's a once-in-a-lifetime indeed.Why don't we take a group photo as a souvenir? Miles nodded.We also have a real photographer here.He said. I cursed in my heart: Damn.I actually forgot Owen.But I also forgot his arrogance.He babbles that he doesn't take snapshots, and Estelle blames him for being an artist. Then I will shoot.I said. My camera is in that drawer over there.Myers said. Is God playing tricks on me on purpose?I jumped up and opened the drawer.Myers' digital camera is on the top shelf.I cover it with little brochures, menus and catalogs in the drawer.not here.You must have put it somewhere else.

Someone probably took it and forgot to put it back. I have one upstairs.I said, and ran away before anything else happened. It's that simple.I didn't even allow myself to think about the possibility of getting caught.I opened the closet door, pulled back the covering over the body, and saw those empty eyes staring right at me.I felt nothing, just knelt down, grabbed her arm, moved her onto my shoulders, and rose slowly, my knee joints crackling.I stretched my feet, closed the closet door, and turned to check to make sure there was no stupid thing like a hat or handbag to ruin my perfect crime.Once I'm in the hallway, I imagine one of my roommates grinning when he sees my behavior.I went upstairs smoothly, to the second floor, and then to the third floor.I pulled the bed out a bit and put her behind it so I couldn't see her from the door.That's enough.No one will come into my room tonight.

I ran downstairs softly.Everything is so easy.Before stepping into the kitchen, I stopped.camera.I forgot about it.So I had to run up and down again, and then appeared in front of everyone panting.But none of them paid attention. After the photo was taken, Miles kindly helped me shift the focus and announced that we would be kicked out of the house; after the aluminum foil containers were packed and the dishes were done, I went upstairs to my room and lay down with my shoes on. In bed, waiting for the family to quiet down; meanwhile, Paige's body lay on the floor next to me.I heard footsteps on the stairs, creaking wooden floors, running water, the door slamming, and the flushing of the toilet, but by twelve-thirty, everything had died down.Impatiently, I glanced at my watch again.It's one o'clock in the morning.

I have an idea.I rummaged through her pockets and found a wallet.I took off the little ornate watch on her wrist and undid her necklace.In this way, her death will look like murder for money. I glance at my watch.It was one fifteen in the morning.Time moves in jerks, not in a smooth way.I walked out of the room as quietly and as quietly as I could, and down the stairs.I put my ear to each door, but heard nothing.The last one is Pipa's bedroom on the first floor.It was equally quiet.I can take action now, but as soon as I get upstairs I hear voices.The sound came from outside the gate.I thought it was a passerby on the road, but then I heard the sound of a key being inserted into the lock.

I ran upstairs, hiding on the half-way landing where no one could see.The door opened and I heard footsteps.The voice of Pipa talking to another person is a man.She is sick?Right here, she said as she led the man into her room, do you want a drink?I'll go upstairs with some wine. I waited until she came back from the kitchen.I heard the clink of glasses and the closing of doors.I sat on the upper steps in the semi-darkness, where I could see the old patterned wallpaper peeling off to reveal the stucco underneath, though I couldn't make out what color it was.A few minutes later, whispers came from the Pipa House.If I act fast enough, it should be fine.I pace back upstairs.I went back to my room, conscious for the first time of the risk I was taking.Besides me, there are six, no, seven people in the family.They often stay up late, step out of the room to drink a glass of wine, take a bath or urinate.As long as one person finds out, it's game over for me.Just two full minutes will do, but will God give it to me?I carried Peggy on my shoulders and walked out of the room and down the stairs, feeling my whole body creaking.

I didn't even think about what I might meet in the street.I gently opened the door, walked out slowly, and hid in the shade of the balcony.The streets were deserted.Twenty more paces and I will be free.I stepped onto the sidewalk as if walking on a stage, a stage surrounded by windows.Behind any window, someone might be standing looking out.I count the steps silently.After walking twenty-seven steps, I came to her door.I walked down the steps to the trash can and let her slide slowly over me onto the concrete.I pulled her behind the trash can and covered her with bags of trash.Her body may not be found for days.