“ This is for Nikki , you son of a bitch !” she yelled .
The knife plunged into the space where neck joined shoulder , sinking in a couple inches before stopping . A rattling noise floated up from Old Man ’ s threat . He then fell onto his back , the impact rattling the floor .
With a scream , Knives withdrew the carving knife from his neck , straddled him , and plunged it into his chest with a scream . Not done , she plunged it in again . And again . Finally , after she ’ d stabbed him several more times , she let go of the knife and fell off Old Man ’ s body , her screams dissolving into sobs .
Grey ran to her and scooped her up into a hug . He held her and let her wail and cry , while at the same time trying to get a hold of his own emotions . He ’ d helped kill a man . A dangerous man , one who had killed people he ’ d known and cared for , but that didn ’ t change the fact that Grey had contributed to his death . He thought he ’ d been prepared for this , but he ’ d been so , so wrong .
It didn ’ t help that , in a way , he sympathized with Old Man . He ’ d been a father just trying to do right by his child , a child with an impossible condition , a death sentence masquerading as biology . In similar circumstances , Grey might have kidnapped people and fed their blood to his daughter to help her . “ Grey ?” said a small voice . “ Knives ?” Their names called , Grey and Knives looked up . Tabitha lay on the bed as before . Only now , Lita ’ s body lay on top of her , Tabitha ’ s face and arms were flushed , and there was blood around her mouth , like a garish clown ’ s smile . “ Oh God ,” said Knives . Grey let go of Knives and carefully moved Lita ’ s body off Tabitha . Laying her on the floor , he marveled at
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