From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Tears streamed down Sandra's face, mingling with lines of blood that trickled from her eyes as she edged closer to Rebecca. Her voice was raw, desperate. "But I'm your mother, Rebecca! Your own mother! How could you do this to me? Have you no conscience left at all?"

Rebecca scrambled backward on the floor, palms pressed to the hardwood, cold sweat soaking her back. "Mom, please forgive me... forgive me... I'm your only daughter, the only one you and Dad ever had..."

She'd been sure that Sandra would go to her grave never knowing what she'd done.

But fate had other plans.

Some secrets just couldn't be buried.

Sandra had found out everything.

"You'll pay for this! You wretched girl! I'll make you pay for my life!"

Rebecca was so terrified she started banging her head on the floor, her forehead thudding against the boards again and again until blood began to stream down her face. "Mom! I know I was wrong! I really do! Please, just forgive me this once! When your memorial day comes, I'll bring you so many flowers and candles! You're already gone just let me live! I promise, I'll find a way to get Dad out soon. Please, spare me!"

Suddenly-snap!

Every light in the room blazed on at once.

Rebecca froze, then looked up.

Sandra stood before her, lifting a hand slowly to her own face.

Rebecca's eyes widened in horror as she watched Sandra peel away her own skin. Rebecca had expected something gruesome beneath a ruined, bloody face.

But instead, the face revealed was striking, almost ethereal in its beauty.

It wasn't Sandra at all.

It was-

Anthea.

In that split second, Rebecca understood.

was all

A setup.

Anthea was behind this.

That conniving bitch.

Anthea, that damned bitch!

to her feet, glaring

smiled, the corners of her lips

you'd go so far

hearing it confirmed

been good to

never thought Rebecca would actually go

about?" Rebecca's voice wavered, panic flickering in her eyes. "I don't know what you

She couldn't admit it.

She mustn't.

it was all

toward the door. "This is my house!

pointed toward Sandra's memorial photo on

Rebecca's gaze followed.

light blinked

A pinhole camera.

spy

up to choke her again. "Anthea! What the hell do you want from

were wild and bloodshot

Las

all your fault You're the

Anthea.

It was always Anthea.

for her, Rebecca never would have ended up like

her life, seized everything that belonged to

was going to die,

her hands were