A Strange There After Read Online Free PDF Page A

lazily,
feigning disinterest. “You really should redecorate this place. It
shows your age.”
    “I’m eighteen.”
    “Yeah, times ten. Careful, Catherine, I hear
breaking a hip is hard to recover from.”
    My barbs were less than mediocre, but I
couldn’t exactly insult her looks.
    “Jealousy is such an ugly color on you,
Quinn. It’s got to kill you, realizing you’re not interesting
enough to be missed.”
    Examining my nails, still covered with the
black polish I’d had on the night I was evicted, I said, “You
should remember enough of Anna and Suzie to realize I grew up with
the queens of passive aggressive taunting. Bring it on,
sister.”
    She smirked and turned her attention back to
shifting through the contents of her wardrobe, much of it still
bearing price tags. “Jason’s taking me to the wrap party for his
movie in a few days. I get to meet all his fancy Hollywood
friends.” Catherine paused, staring off into the distance, a
wistful expression on her annoyingly beautiful face. “I’d be a good
actress. I’m getting plenty of practice.”
    “Hah. You’re a lunatic.”
    “That’s all you have for me?” A laugh tinkled
out of her, light and effortless. “Face it, it’s my turn to be
Cinderella.”
    I could have told her to buzz off, but I took
the low road.
    “Maybe you’ll be as lucky as me, and your
mama, Margaret, will show up to help ya get ready.” Her cheeks
paled, and I resisted the urge to pump my fist in victory. She
didn’t speak, so I plowed on. “What would she have to say about how
you’re acting? You claim to hate her and blame her, but don’t you
think a hundred and fifty-some year old grudge is long enough?”
    “You know nothing about it.”
    “She’s your mama. Regardless of anything,
that bond will always be there.”
    “She hasn’t tried to contact me.” Her sadness
surprised me.
    “Would you have let her?”
    My counter question snapped her out of her
brief moment of humanity. “You’re better at this than you think.
You should realize, though, guilt and harassment isn’t going to
give you what you want. You’re dead wrong if you think it
will.”
    “Dead. Interesting choice of words. You do
realize if I were dead, my body would be decaying. Actually, maybe
you’re right,” I sniffed the air daintily, “because I do smell
something rotten.”
    “Very funny.”
    “Tell me, Catherine, what happens if my body
dies?”
    The idea chilled me, colder than anything I’d
felt yet.
    She tapped a manicured finger against the
corner of her mouth. “Hmm, I’ll find another one to take. It’s
easier than I thought. All I have to do is pick. Let’s see. Anna,
the nicer of your stepsisters, has the kind of beauty everyone
loves. She’d be interesting.”
    The possibility chilled me, and all my
retorts vanished. I wished there was some way to get to her and
make it last. I was getting stronger, but it rarely lasted.
Unfortunately, she carried all the advantage. Without help, what
good would I be against her? I couldn’t even open a door. Turning
on my heel, I intended to leave the room, irritated I let her win
another round. Heck, she won them all, didn’t she?
    “You’ll find a way,” I reassured myself
quietly.
    But I didn’t believe it.
    The doorbell halted my exit, drawing my
attention to Catherine. She sailed past, down the stairs and
checked to see who it was through the glass at the side of the
door. A groan escaped her lips, and she yanked the handle,
plastering a fake smile on her lips. The second Catherine stepped
to the side, Abby burst into the house, her hair streaming behind
her. She flashed an angry glare at Catherine.
    “What the hell is going on, Quinn? I’ve been
trying like crazy to reach you.”
    Finally, the cavalry had arrived. She must
have heard me last night!
    “Abby, I hope you got my flowers.”
    Abby and I both gaped at Catherine as if
she’d lost her mind. First, she ignored Abby yesterday. Now she
flipped the switch,