LOTTIE STARED IN THE bathroom mirror. Her face was pale, eyes puffy. Then, in a shaky movement, she held up an arm, rolled up the sleeve, then did her other. The slashes over them were now a faded brown. 

These marks were from over a week ago. 

A beat passed. 

Lifting her head, she looked at the item on her sink: the knife. Then, slow and steady, she reached over and tossed it between her hands. 

Lottie gritted her teeth. 

Moments later, tightening her grip, she looked back into the mirror. 

That was when she nodded. 

Another beat passed. 

Head down, she made her way to the kitchen. After opening the drawer, then retrieving the knife, though, she turned and stiffened. 

The bookshelf. 

There on the top shelf, poking past the others, was the album. Maybe it would help to just see her aunt. So, with crossed arms, she drew near, forcing deep breaths. 

That trip yesterday was supposed to fix her. It was supposed to help her move on. 

But now, as she went through her day, Aunt Rena was all she could think about. 

She was dead. Her last wish had been for her to visit. 

Lottie shuttered, peering back to that drawer. Even if she did, no one would notice. Not even Joseph. Their relationship was over, after all. 

A new chapter had begun. 

She should have known, either way. Her boyfriends never stayed long. 

Lottie shook off the thought. 

On her tip-toes, she reached. Then, after feeling its spine, she stroked it with a finger. The dust, which had collected over the years, powdered over her touch. 

Since she was germophobic, Lottie would normally have retreated to the bathroom. 

Not this time, though. 

Now, after stepping back, she looked up and considered. Later I'll take a look. Maybe... after dinner.

So, with a nod, she turned in search of a pan. After retrieving one in a lower cabinet, she set it on the stone, then set it to medium-high. Next, she grabbed the vegetable oil and poured it over. It may have been more of a breakfast item, but she was in the mood for eggs. 

However, it wasn't like it was usual for her to consider the meal. Whatever sounded good at the moment, she'd prepare. Lottie had always been this way. 

As she continued, thoughts reeled her mind. Her neighbor's bracelet - she was planning on giving it back today.

Penny was exceptional at reading her, though. If she were to try, then she'd see the distress right through her. 

Well, maybe after I grieve Auntie's death I'll be okay. 

After all, she wasn't to give it back until then. 

Moments later, the eggs were turned and sizzling. Over-easy - just how she liked it. 

After placing the pair over her plate, Lottie set the pan on a different burner, then turned. With a sigh, she began for the table. 

Her mind was again on her aunt. All this time, she had refused to visit, knowing full-well her time was limited. Now that she was gone, though, Lottie only felt empty. 

She raised her fork, then stared at the piece of egg. Maybe she could call Hazel and they could hang out. Her co-worker had always been there for her. After years of working together, they had grown close, whether it be by gossiping or just sharing a break in silence.

It only fell apart when she had that stalker. 

Once her plate was clean, fork aside, she collected her things. At the sink, she hand-washed each, then put them away. 

With that, her shoulders dropped. As much as she wanted to, looking the album over would also break her heart. 

Her aunt may have been a monster, but Lottie wasn't a psychopath. 

At the bookshelf, she reached on her tip-toes, then brought it down. For a moment, she just stood there, eyes closed. Then, soon enough, she was wandering her home when something vibrated in her pocket.

Lottie stiffened. After pulling it out, she saw the Caller ID and sighed. 

It was Joseph. 

Before answering, though, she set the album down on the stove. Then, with a breath, she accepted the call. 

"Hey, Lottie, there's something you need to know."

Lottie sighed. "And what might that be?"

"You know that I care about you very much, don't you?"

Her breath hitched. "Yes... but what does that have to do with anything?"

"Well," Joseph said, then paused, "just know that I'm sorry."

"Wait a minute." Hand to chest, she made way for the table. Then, all-too-slow, she sat down. "Okay, now tell me."

"If we're still much for friends, you won't like this news."

"You're not sick, are you?" Black spots were beginning to cloud her vision. "Right, Joseph?"

"No, no, it's nothing like that!" he said. "You should just know that I'm quitting. This may be our last conversation and, again, I'm sorry. Trust me, this breaks my heart just as much as yours."

Was it that obvious?

A beat passed. 

"Well, I'm glad you cared about this friendship, too. Thank you for letting me know."

"It's not just that, Lottie." Joseph began to sniffle. "My-my mom's getting really sick. I no longer care much for my paycheck. At this rate, I just want to be with her. That's the least I can do."

Lottie paled. "I-I don't know what to say." At the stutter, she cleared her throat. "I can understand this. I... would do the same thing."

Another pause. 

"Lottie?"

"Yeah?"

"You avoided your brother because he stalked you. And your aunt? She gave you that scar. You had every right to be your own person." Then he exhaled. "This is our last conversation, so it should count."

"Thanks for that, Joseph. And thanks for the call."

"Not a problem."

"And Joseph?"

From the other end, there was a shaky breath. "Yeah, Lottie?"

"I loved you, truly. You know this." Lottie bit her lip. "And as much as I did, even if I didn't show it well, I understand. It's just too soon for you to be in a serious relationship."

"Thank you, Lottie."

And with that, she hung up. And smiled. 

But that was when she smelled it. 

Something familiar. 

Her blood ran cold.

In a bout, she whipped around and stared. The smoke - engulfing the album, its flames rose from the stove. 

And she could only watch. 

But then the smoke detector when off and she snapped to reality. 

The fire extinguisher. It was set up beside the refrigerator. 

After scrambling over, she snatched it, heavy in her arms, and retreated. Then, with a loud hiss, it was aimed at the smoke. 

It died a minute later. And in a few more, she shut it off, then stood in place. 

A tear inched from her eye. 

A housefire was something of the past. Yet, as responsible as she was, it had happened again. 

Lottie could have died that day, just like her parents. 

-

Lottie huffed. Leaned back in her chair, remote in lap, she watched Criminal Minds. For the past several minutes, it was cutting out and her patience was wearing thin. 

When it happened again, she turned the television off, then rubbed her forehead. Since that fire an hour before, a headache was setting in. 

Moments passed. After peering back into the kitchen, she reclined the chair back, eyes closed. Maybe sleep was just what she nee-

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. 

Lottie gritted her teeth. When she pulled it out, then sighed, she stiffened. 

It was a message from Eliott. 

She muttered incoherent words. What could it be now? 

After unlocking the screen, then reading, though, she went silent. 

It read: 

The funeral will be held in nine days. Service will start at 10 am at the Overture Church. You remember where that is. Please consider. 

Lottie blinked a few times. Then, with shaky hands, she typed out her response:

Meet me on the mountaintop. There's something I want to show you. 

Well, that's a wrap. I think this chapter was pretty solid, but please let me know your thoughts. Admittedly, I'm getting a little tired of writing this story, but I'm pressing forward! We're definitely making progress. 

With this said, I hope you're well. My pms are always open if someone wants to talk. I'd love to talk about anything, lol. 

God bless and goodbye. ;)

Get it? The chapter title? Nevermind. :')