(Tate's POV)

I considered smothering Walter. I would take the pillow from behind his head and before he could think I would be pressing down with all my strength. He'd try to call out I'd imagine. No one would hear him. I'd then press harder; maybe hard enough to push his false teeth to the back of his throat. Just enough to leave the pink adhesive clinging to the pillowcase. No I'm not supposed to be that guy. Not anymore.

I couldn't resist everything though, even when I tried. Constance always thought I was weak. Bitch. I had to help myself. I eyed the vast array of prescriptions on the dresser instead. Some damn good shit. Amphetamines, pain killers, some anti-depressants, and a few bottles of cough medicine for some milder fun. I could use a little more spice in my life. Surely he wouldn't notice a few missing uppers and oxy. I opened up a few of the bottles and took enough for a good time. The anti-depressants could be useful. God knows it got difficult around here. I went to take a few of those and saw that Hazel's name was on the sticker label. I guess that made sense. I'd imagine that taking care of your husband the way you would a toddler would crush the spirit out of most people. The thought of it made me want to retch. I put the cap back on her bottle opting to skip over those and looked at Walter's pillow again with a glint of mischief in my eyes. Hesitating before I downed a few pills and closed the door quietly behind me. I didn't mind being a disappointment again I deserved this treat. I deserved- well I can't. I'm not- Uggh.

I headed down to the basement and waited while my heart began to beat out of my chest. It felt damn good. It was a kind of primal intensity spreading through my dead body. I felt my temperature rise and I began to take off my shirt. I rose to the top of the world sweat beading on my chest and I spun together an idea in my head as I scratched at my hands.


I woke up soaked in sweat by the gazebo sick to my stomach; dead and dry heaving into a carefully maintained hedge. I felt like shit crawling back into the house. I'd have to clean myself off in that goddamned bathtub again. I avoided it as often as I could; leaving me maybe a little too grungy for my own good.

I ran the hot water and stripped down naked. The mirror revealed some marks on my arms and chest. They weren't deep and like all the bodily wounds in this house they would heal just fine. The hot water felt good, but the memories here left me holding back tears again. I'm supposed to be a man. "Stop it." I scolded myself. I had a weak heart and mind and no will to fight it as I heaved again with nothing in my stomach to lose.

I let the water drain and picked at the marks on my arms before putting on my oversized sweater. It smelled like cigarettes outside. The scent teased me at it often did and I followed it to the open door of my- her bedroom. I didn't see the clean bedroom and familiar belongings. It was half empty and the chalkboard was cracked.

I felt suddenly very conscious of myself as though I were being watched. I hadn't felt fear in a long time. It was striking and cold, creeping up my spine. The smoke had drifted out of the hallway and into nothing. I noticed all of her; always and from a distance. My keen eyes weren't open to surprises like this.

I looked around in the quiet of the room and reached out to the blackboard.

"GO AWAY!" Came a screech from the door. Her voice was raw, cruel, and terrified. I tried to look at her and found myself on the basement floor confused and angry.

"Oh boohoo no more fun for you." Hayden teased looking down at me.

"I don't have time for your shit Hayden." I replied coldly.

"Come on crazy eyes let's go for round two I'm into it. You know how being dead gets me hot." Her voice got breathy and heavy as she ran her hand through my hair.

"Round two? Fuck off Hayden." I smacked her hand away and headed to the basement door.

"Not so fast. You OWE me Tate." She called out. I kept walking. Since when did I owe her a damn thing. In fact she didn't exist as far as I was concerned. She wasn't my type and every word that came out of her face was useless. "I matter!" She screamed. I stifled a laugh and slammed the basement door.

Hayden appeared before me with her face twisted up and snarling "I want the rest of the pills Tate." I felt sick to my stomach again. Fuck.

"Hello?!" I heard Hazel call out and suddenly I was alone in the kitchen. "What's all this noise? Walter?" she called out again and I heard her coming towards the kitchen. So I scrambled to stand outside the open door instead.

"Good morning Hazel." I greeted her with a smile forced through the fear on my face.

" Oh are you here to help me unpack today?" She asked sweetly.

"I sure am." I replied as I stepped back into the house. I noticed her messing with her hearing aid. "Are you alright?" I asked to strike up some conversation and keep Hayden away.

"I think I need to get it checked. I've been hearing noises all over this house." She replied absently.

"Sound travels strangely in old homes." I replied.