All the Colors of the Dark — Chapter 34

34

In a room sectioned off with heavy drapes he dragged a wooden crate out and told her to sit. She placed the satchel on the ground as he readied continuous lighting. He strung a sheet behind her, muttering beneath his breath as he worked. She strained to hear it.

And then the generator paused.

And Saint heard the words he spoke, her blood icing as she recognized

it.

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He refreshes my soul.

The same passage her grandmother had once recited.

The Lord is my Shepherd.

A funeral prayer.

She was about to speak when the light died.

He flashed the camera, and for a moment she saw him in front.

“Take off your glasses.”

With a trembling hand she took her frames off and set them down on the

floor.

“Don’t smile. It hides you.”

Another flash, this time she saw him to her left.

Saint drew a deep breath. “The high school girls that went missing…the

college girl.”

Another flash.

“I don’t even know your name,” he said.

She told him, and even in the darkness heard the joy reach his words.

“You pray?”

“Yes.”

“What do you ask for?”

Another flash. He blended with the shadows.

“A fit and just end,” she said, the world around blurring, the edges soft.

He laughed. “I am the way, the truth.”

“And the life.”

“You know scripture.”

She swallowed. “I know right from wrong.”

“The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people. Don’t worry, I won’t bite you. You would be beautiful…one day you will be.”

She felt her tears build. “The newspaper said those girls got dragged

into a blue van.”

“I have a blue van.”

“Did you take them, Mr. Aaron?”

“Yes.”

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