Dark Illusion: A Psychological Thriller Novel (17 page)

K
elly passed
through the heavy, wooden door into the spacious and extravagant lounge. The
sound of her footsteps echoed with each stride she took across the pristine
marble floor. She looked up and noticed the twinkle of the crystal chandelier
hanging from the ceiling. She strolled through the house, admiring the
expensive carpets and the art work that adorned the walls. The entire place had
been tastefully decorated and looked really impressive.
Worth every penny.

Kelly walked into the kitchen and
opened the refrigerator. As per her request, it had been stocked in advance
with delectable foods. Hunger began badgering her, but she decided to ignore
it. More than anything, she craved a visit to the most important place in the
house: the basement.

Kelly marched rapidly toward the
staircase. She stood in front of a closed door and gripped the handle firmly,
eventually shoving it forward. She headed down the stairs, her heart racing
more and more with each step down.

The room was completely dark and
it took her a few moments to locate the light switch. The space that was
revealed to her was almost identical to the one in her own home. Kelly stood in
the middle of the room, surrounded by the reflections that appeared in the
newly-installed mirrors on the wide wall in front of her. She looked at the
woman gazing back at her from the mirror. She could see the wickedness in her eyes.
Kelly wondered how she had become the person staring back at her, why had she
chosen such a gory path when anyone else, who possessed the same power and
influence she had achieved, would have just moved on? Was the heavy cost that
she had paid really worth this single moment, when she would finally lay her
hands on Gloria McIntyre?

Kelly wondered what she would do
the next morning, after she had attained the revenge she had been dreaming
about for years. What would she yearn for then? She’d always thought that there
was something bittersweet about a dream come true, as if fulfilling the dream
entailed shattering it. Kelly had been so engulfed in planning every little
detail leading to this moment that she hadn’t thought about what she would do
after it. What would be next? What aspirations did she have left? She tried to
recall her former self, before the dreadful event that had changed her forever,
but her mind went completely blank.

Kelly knew that she could never
go back to being “
Kelly Danes – Editor in Chief of Inner Beauty magazine
,“
and her heart ached. The last few years had been the only ones in which she had
felt appreciated and prosperous, and now they were lost for good. The only pleasure
that remained was plundering the beauty and lives of those corrupted girls.
Would she continue doing that? Kelly had always told herself that although
they’d each had it coming, they had merely been practice for the grand finale;
but what was the point of training after she had already won the final act?

After the first time, Kelly had
known that she could never stop, even if she had tried to tell herself
otherwise. Even killing the cop had been exhilarating, despite her guilty
conscience.

Kelly looked into the eyes of the
woman staring back at her from the mirror. It was a moment of awakening; she
had no choice but to accept her destiny, the path that she would follow for the
rest of her life.

I, Kelly Danes, am a
murderess.

“W
hat?!“

“You heard me correctly, another
body.“

Rob narrowed his eyes at the
road. “What do we know about it?“ he asked crisply.

“Not much. It was found buried
under the basement floor, wrapped in a white blanket. One of the floorboards
was slightly loose and the cops noticed there was something under the surface.
They still don’t know how long it’s been buried there, but at first glance the
coroner believes that we’re looking at several years.“

“So it’s possible that Mandy
Sheldon wasn’t the first victim?“

“Exactly.“

“Goddammit.“

“You read my mind.“

                                
 * * *

When Andy noticed the sign of the gas station, he slowed
down the vehicle and turned down the path leading to it. The familiar yet
dreary scenery reminded him of a surprisingly romantic moment.

“Why are you pulling over?“
Gloria asked in a drowsy voice, too lazy to open her eyes.

“I promised you chocolate, didn’t
I?“ he smiled at her.

Gloria’s eyes opened slightly. A
subtle smile crept to her lips.

“What a joy that the photo shoot
is over. Now I can indulge without feeling guilty.“

“In that case, should I get you
both a Snickers
and
a Twix?“

“Don’t push it.“

Andy stifled a laugh. “Which one
do you want?“

“Do I have to decide right now?“

“Yeah, unless you want us to
arrive at Kelly’s tomorrow.“

“Actually, it wouldn’t be so bad
spending another night alone with you . . .“ She flashed a seductive smile.

“Are you trying to distract me
from the fact that you can’t decide what you want?“

Gloria tilted her head down and
chuckled. “You know me too well.“

“If you can’t make up your mind
right now, then I’ll just have to choose myself,“ Andy threatened.

“No!“ she exclaimed.

“Why don’t you let me surprise
you?“ he implored.

“And if you make the wrong
choice?“

“And if, God forbid, you’ll
actually be pleased?“

Gloria looked at him with a
contemplative look on her face, as if she were seriously considering what to
do.

“You know you’re seriously
disturbed, right?“ he teased.

“Why?“

“Do you understand how much energy
you’re wasting over a little chocolate bar?“

“Oh. When you become a model, you
will understand.“

Andy gave her a sidelong glance.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon.“

“Then surprise me.“

Gloria had been waiting in the car for a few long minutes,
staring at the minimart’s front door. It was not a trivial matter for her,
letting Andy make the decision for her. She had to make sure that he made the
right choice. But how can he do that when I don’t even know what I want? she
asked herself, anxiously.

Gloria couldn’t take it anymore.
She stepped out of the car and entered the store, hoping to catch Andy in time.
She saw him standing in front of the chocolate shelves, at the same spot where
they had shared their first kiss.

“I was wondering how long it
would take you before you came in here.“ His smile revealed a pair of
tantalizing dimples. “Nearly four whole minutes. Congratulations.“

“I see that you’re still
debating, too.“

“No. Actually, I already chose.“

Gloria’s heart skipped a beat.
“So what did you choose?“ she asked nervously.

“Both of them. We’ll eat one half
of each, and that way you won’t eat more than the quantity of one chocolate
bar!“ he declared triumphantly.

Gloria looked at him with
glistening eyes. She did not say a word.

“You’re not happy?“ A crease of
disappointment formed between his eyes.

Gloria threw herself at him with
a long, passionate kiss. “I couldn’t have made a better choice myself.“ Her
arms remained around him.

On their way to the register,
Andy thought to himself that he would never understand what the deal was with
chicks and chocolate.

                                
 * * *

The two cops had run out of whatever remaining patience
they’d had.

Rob and Sharon were just a few miles
away from the elusive inn where the famous model was staying, but they couldn't
find it. It seemed as though the navigation system refused to acknowledge the
existence of the small guesthouse and kept instructing them to drive in
circles. They realized that only after they had passed by the same crossroad
for the third time. Needless to say, they were not happy.

After they had cursed and sworn
at the inventor of the GPS, they decided to forgo their dignity and asked one
of the locals for directions. The man told them they were about fifteen minutes
away. They drove in silence for the last stretch, resenting the bad cell
reception in the area that had deprived them of obtaining additional
information on the latest – or, to be exact, the first – victim of Kelly Danes.

The frustrated Sharon tried to
recollect all the information they had so far. The primary data suggested that
the victim was a grown woman, but there were no identifiable details on the
body that could reveal her identity. The forensic investigator promised to call
Sharon and let her know as soon as the postmortem autopsy results were in, but
she figured they wouldn’t hear anything until they would be back in New York.
In any case, as much as her curiosity tormented her, there were more pressing
matters at stake: the reason they had come to New Zealand in the first place
was to stop Kelly Danes from achieving her final goal – now they were running
out of time. The clock hands refused to slow down. She just hoped they were not
too late.

T
he clock hands
refused to move any faster. In a few short hours it would finally happen. She
would stand face to face with Gloria McIntyre.

Kelly was sitting in an antique
velvet armchair. She placed her coffee mug on the table and reached for a pack
of cigarettes. She hadn’t smoked in years and missed it tremendously. Today,
she decided, was a special day; she could allow herself to indulge, relax,
light up a cigarette, and wait . . .

While the warm smoke spread down
her throat, she couldn’t help but think about that dark day, one that had
started like any other day, but its ending had changed her life forever. She
had tried to repress it for years, but now, so close to the long-awaited end,
the memory threatened to possess her.

Kelly gazed at the clouds of
smoke she exhaled, slowly fading into nothing, and took another long breath in
the hope that what would go in could drive away her memories.

Too late.

The course of events from the
darkest day of her life, April 24, 1990, started to unfold in her mind.

The opening day of the Spring
Carnival.

                                
 * * *

Usually, Kelly did not attend social events that were
crowded with people, such as Winslow’s annual Spring Carnival, but this time
was different. At the beginning of the school year, she had gotten to know the
person who would later become her one and only friend, Vicky Hermont. Vicky’s
family had moved to Winslow after her parents had stumbled into financial
difficulties; they’d had to sell their old home and move in with Vicky’s
grandmother. Like Kelly, Vicky also was ostracized by her schoolmates, and the
two had no trouble finding comfort in one another; loneliness had brought them
together. That was the first time they each had gained a true friend.

Both of them were good students,
even exceptional, but that was where any resemblance ended. While Kelly was
often pushed aside due to her quiet nature and bashfulness, Vicky lashed out at
her classmates and acted in a patronizing way that often aroused hostility. She
was a misunderstood girl. If Kelly’s name was one that not many could remember,
Vicky’s name was the object of ridicule. But no matter what, Vicky always stood
beside Kelly, even at her own expense. When Kelly recalled the torment her
young friend had faced, her heart ached as if it were her own. In all of her
life, Vicky was the one person that Kelly had truly loved.
My guardian
angel.

The grand opening of the carnival
had been scheduled for that day, and Vicky had suggested they go.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,“
Kelly hesitated.

“Why not? It will be my first
time at the carnival!“ Vicky used an imploring tone that revealed her
disappointment.

“Yes, but everyone is going to be
there, including you know who.“

The two girls may have been social
outcasts, but one group of boys had taken things a step too far. They were one
year older and notorious as the town troublemakers. Practical jokes and
harmless pranks were just not enough for them, and their gags many times
bordered on cruelty. The two girls were not the only victims of their antics,
but Vicky, who always proclaimed that she was too good for this place, was
their favorite target of abuse. Kelly, as far as they were concerned, was just
collateral damage. In their eyes, no one was off limits, except for one girl.

Gloria McIntyre.

Gloria was a year younger than
Kelly and Vicky, and she was the perfect, beautiful girl, loved by the entire
town. Gloria’s mother was a nurse at the local hospital and had helped deliver
many of the town’s children. That year she had become ill and Gloria, whose
father had abandoned the family when she was only a child, had to carry the
burden on her own. Ever since, as if admiring the little bitch hadn’t been
enough, her status had been elevated to that of an angel. The neighbors, who
knew that Gloria’s mother could no longer work, made sure to send over
casseroles and food. Even Kelly’s mother had sent over a few trays of her
famous oatmeal cookies every now and then.

God, how she hated oatmeal
cookies.

Even the troublemakers treated
Gloria’s mom with respect, mostly because the gang’s leader, Jerry
Dunwood
, was hopelessly in love with Gloria. He pranced
around her and tried to impress her with his pranks, but she seemed rather
appalled by them. However, her best friends back then were actually attracted
to the bad boy’s image and had managed to persuade Gloria to hang out with
them, knowing she was their entry ticket into the group.

Vicky couldn’t stand Gloria. She
had seen right through her for who she really was, beyond her phony
façade. Vicky had always suspected that Gloria was the one who had
turned Jerry against her, since they had never liked each other. Kelly
remembered how she used to dismiss Vicky’s conspiracies. It was true that Vicky
and Gloria weren’t friends, but Kelly did not believe that Gloria could be so
malicious.

Boy, was she wrong.

                                
 * * *

She remembered that awful day as an out-of-body experience,
as if she had been watching from afar all the wrong that had been done to her.

On that bitter day, Kelly had
been nervous about going to the carnival. She didn’t want to run into Jerry and
his friends, but Vicky had convinced her that the boys would be too busy
pursuing the town girls and getting drunk, so they wouldn’t have time to hassle
them. With that in mind, Kelly and Vicky had decided to go to the carnival.

This was the worst decision Kelly
had ever made.

Kelly and Vicky had been walking
around the carnival booths, enjoying the liveliness that had been brought into
their small town. Suddenly, they’d noticed Jerry’s gang and decided to take
precautions. A mere glance was enough to plan their escape route. They decided
to split up, knowing that Jerry would rather look for girls in pairs.
Afterwards, they would meet at the entrance and go to the meteor crater, which
would be empty for the two of them while everyone else was at the carnival.
They had parted in silence, stepping away from each other.

 
If only I had stayed
with Vicky, nothing bad would have happened
, she sadly thought to herself.

Kelly could not remember what
exactly she had been doing when she wandered off alone; probably just walking
around, enjoying the nonsense around her, attempting to stretch out time like a
chewed piece of gum between her fingers until it was time to meet her friend at
the entrance. But then, only God knows why, she went into the house of mirrors.

The most horrific place on
earth.

She remembered the course of
events as if they were a part of an old movie she had watched years ago, each
time remembering the same scene in a slightly different way.

Kelly had walked between the
bizarre mirrors, which sometimes deformed her and at times reflected her
exactly as she was. She couldn’t tell them apart. Kelly had hated her unmemorable
features and mousy figure. Vicky had tried to talk her into giving her a
makeover so she could transform into the beauty Vicky knew Kelly could be, but
she always refused.

Oh, how proud would you be,
Vicky, if you could see me today.

However, back then, in the gloomy
hall of mirrors, Kelly had only been the ugly duckling trying to hide from its
own reflection. She could not stand to look at herself, to be reminded of what
a failure she was. She would be nothing more than a Plain Jane. She would never
be admired or revered; most of the people she knew could barely remember her
name. Her fate was to be forgotten, she sadly realized. Kelly’s eyes glistened
brighter than the shining mirrors that surrounded her.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to
intrude. I’ll come back later.“ It seemed as though Gloria felt embarrassed
witnessing this intimate moment of self-reflection. She headed toward the exit.

“It’s okay, you can stay. I have
to leave anyway,“ Kelly assured her.

So why didn’t you?
she
yelled at herself in her mind, as if she were a character in a horror film that
was bound to die, no matter what.

“Okay.“ Gloria did not seem
entirely at ease, but she stayed.

They stood on opposite sides of the
room, hesitating, fearing they might somehow invade the other’s territory.

After a few silent minutes, they
finally broke the ice.

“My mom asked me to thank your
mom for the oatmeal cookies. They always cheer her up,“ said Gloria.

“You’re welcome.“ Kelly was
surprised by Gloria’s kind words, even if she was only being polite. “I’ll be
sure to let her know.“

Kelly thought for a moment she
had noticed movement in the shadows, but when she looked again she didn’t see
anything; probably just a figment of her imagination.

Gloria looked at her, confused,
trying to find something to talk about. “So . . . Where’s Vicky?“ she
eventually asked.

“Where’s Jerry?“ Kelly countered.

“You caught me. You’re not the
only one who’s trying to avoid him.“ The confusion on her face turned into a
smirk.

“Oh, you guys aren’t a couple?“

“Absolutely not.“

Kelly arched an eyebrow. “So you
wouldn’t be offended if I told you he’s a real jerk?“

“I might agree with you.“ A
subtle smile stretched across her face.

Kelly chuckled. She glanced at
her watch; it had been fifteen minutes since she’d left Vicky. She might be
waiting for her at the entrance. Alone. One of the boys might find her.

“Why do you look so worried?“
Gloria asked.

Perhaps because your boyfriend
is on the loose?

“I was supposed to meet Vicky.“

“Here?“

“Yes.“ Kelly didn’t know why she
lied.

“Well, she will probably be here
any minute now. You girls are practically inseparable,“ she declared
decisively.

Kelly flashed an awkward smile.

Gloria stared at the floor for a
few seconds, but then she looked up at Kelly and their eyes met. “By the way,“
she added, “I want to apologize on behalf of Jerry and his friends for treating
you guys the way they do. I know it may seem that way because Vicky and I don’t
get along, but I’ve never encouraged those jerks’ disgusting behavior. Quite
the opposite.“ She seemed sincere.

Kelly looked at Gloria in awe,
like a little girl waking up on Christmas morning to a tree filled with
presents.

“Thanks. You have no idea how
nice it is to hear that.“

Oh, Kelly, why were you so
naive?

After a few minutes, their
reticent talk changed to a candid conversation. The two girls sat on the wooden
floor, their backs pressed against opposite mirrors, while they faced one
another.

“Ugh, I look so fat!“ Gloria
cried.

“Are you kidding me? Even like
this you still look beautiful.“ Kelly stared into Gloria’s eyes through the
mirror. An awkward silence took over.

 “Say,“ Kelly broke the
silence. “Do you think that in a different world we could have been . . . ?“

“Friends? I think so,“ Gloria
said thoughtfully.

Kelly did not take her eyes off
of Gloria.

“But in this world you’re Vicky’s
friend, and my best friends hang out with Jerry and his gang, whether I like it
or not. I’m afraid we’re on opposite sides of the fence,“ Gloria pointed out.

“Like Romeo and Juliet,“ Kelly’s
voice softened.

“Perhaps,“ Gloria smiled, trying
to figure out if Kelly was trying to imply something. “It’s weird that Vicky
hasn’t shown up yet.“

Kelly chanced a glance at the
exit sign, but quickly shifted her gaze back to Gloria. “Yeah, never mind, I’ll
see her some other time,“ she muttered.

How could I abandon a true
friend for this fake doll?

“Well, it’s getting late. I
should head home,“ Gloria got up.

Kelly stood up and caught up with
her. “Once you leave everything will go back to the way it was, won’t it?
You’ll go back to being a part of Jerry’s clique.“ She enunciated the last two
words with a hint of aversion.

“And you’ll be back with Vicky,“
Gloria stated.

“I guess we have no choice,“
Kelly sighed.

“It appears so.“

“Well, goodbye, Gloria McIntyre.“

Kelly leaned toward Gloria and
kissed her on the cheek. Gloria froze in her place.

Kelly did not want to part from
Gloria’s soft skin. She tried to reach her lips.

Gloria turned her face away from
her. “Kelly, stop,“ she said gently.

“You traitor! How could you do
this to me?“ Vicky’s enraged voice jarred on Kelly’s ears right before her
image appeared from behind the mirrors. She marched angrily toward them.

“
Vicky
?“ Kelly gasped. “I
don’t understand . . .“ her voice trailed off.

“I don’t understand either how
you could throw me to the wolves for . . .“ She turned her head and cast a
hateful glance at Gloria. “For
her
!“

“Vicky, you need to calm down.
Nobody has done anything against you,“ said Gloria.

“You stay out of it, you arrogant
little princess!“ Vicky snapped. “Why are you trying to steal Kelly away from
me? Do you hate me that much? Seducing my only friend in this damned place just
to make me suffer? What have I ever done to you to deserve that?“

“I don’t know what you’re talking
about. I just–“

“Don’t say another word!“ Vicky
screamed. “I saw you just now. I saw the way you looked at her,“ she turned to
Kelly.

“Vicky, I’m so sorry,“ Kelly
tried to placate her.

“Spare me.“

“I think this is all a big
misunderstanding,“ Gloria intervened in an attempt to calm Vicky.