Author’s note: This story is protected by copyright. Reproduction and distribution of this short story without the written permission is restricted.

This short story was a challenge I created for myself. I wanted to see if I could tell a story only through dialogue. It’s quite a unique story. It may be a bit confusing at first, but keep reading. Enjoy!

***

“Can you believe Patricia actually went on a date with him?”  

“Hardly. It’s like she has no self-awareness about her image,” Emily adds.  

“Better her than us I guess.” 

“Yeah, I guess. Hey, so where’d you say your folks are tonight?” 

“They went to some benefit for my dad’s work in the city. Said they wouldn’t be home until after midnight.” 

“So it’s just you tonight?” 

“Yup. Well, me and Roxi.” 

“And you didn’t even bother to ask Teddy Boy over?” 

“Oh cut it out, Em. You know I hate it when you call him that.” 

“Well it’s better than Theodore. What nineteen-year-old is named Theodore?” 

“Just stop. You know he’s named after his grandfather who—” 

“—who died the day before he was born. Yeah, I’ve heard the story a million times. It sure does sound like a grandfather name. Poor kid must’ve been bullied all through middle school.” 

“Well just don’t call him Teddy Boy. It makes me super uncomfortable. It makes me think of a human teddy bear.” 
“What do you want me to call him then?” 

“I dunno. Ted, Theo? That’s what everyone else calls him.” 
“Fine. Didn’t bother to ask Ted over for a little alone time?” 

“No, I didn’t. His little sister has a dance recital tonight and I didn’t want to bother him.” 

“Kat!” 

“What?” 

“You’re missing out on some prime real estate here. You need to bite the bullet and just ask him over already. And I don’t want to hear the distance excuse again. I mean, it’s been how many weeks now of something always coming up hasn’t it?” 

“I just don’t know what to do. Like you said, something always comes up.” 

“What are your major plans for later preventing you from calling him over? You said your parents won’t be home until late. Have him come over after the recital.” 

“I dunno, Em. You know I’m not that kind of person.” 

“What? The person to have a booty-call?” 

“Don’t even say that!” 

“But it’s true. You have no plans for tonight. I know you don’t, so call him up and tell him to come over.” 

 “Ugh, hold on, Em. Roxi’s freaking out at something downstairs. Let me see what’s going on. I think she has to pee or something.” 

“I’m just saying, Kat. It’s been too long.” 

“You’re not telling me anything I don’t know. Here ya go Roxi. Oh wow. Have you been outside tonight?” 

“No. Why?” 

“It’s super foggy. Like, I can’t even see into my yard.” 

“Must be cause of the storm from earlier.” 

“True. It’s just so crazy. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to go outside with Roxi, but I guess I have to.” 

“Won’t she just come back when she’s done?” 

“Sometimes. Most of the time she wanders off into the woods. And you know how much that dog means to my parents. God forbid she wanders into the woods and gets hurt or something on my watch . . . I’d never hear the end of it.” 

“Well just be careful. You never know the kinds of creeps out there on a night like tonight.” 

“Now why’d you have to say that?” 

“Say what? Oh, about creeps?” 

“You know I hate having to go outside at night regardless of the weather. I’m always afraid someone’s watching me.” 

“Ha, it’s like that song from that old commercial.” 

“I always feel like. . .” 

“Somebody’s watching me!” 

“Roxi, where the hell are you?” 

“She still didn’t come back yet?” 

“No. I can’t see her anywhere. Ugh! This is disgusting.” 

“What? Did you step in poop or something?” 

“Worse! The whole backyard is flooded. But it’s not like water flooded. It’s just thick mud everywhere. I’m slipping and getting stuck in mud at the same time.” 

“All this for a dog.” 

“Seriously. Come on, Roxi. Where are you? Let’s go! Please hurry.” 

“Relax, Kat. She’s ganna be back any second. Just. Don’t freak out. I know how you get sometimes.” 

“Yeah, well, this is one of those panic-worthy moments.” 

“No it’s not. Just remember to breathe. Nothing’s ganna happen.” 

“Jesus Christ, Roxi. You scared the living shit out of me.” 

“She’s back?” 

“Yeah. She came back with some toy I’ve never seen. I dunno. Maybe my parents bought it for her when I was at school or something.” 

“Speaking of school, when are you coming back? I miss talking to you.” 

“We’re talking right now aren’t we?” 

“Yeah, but I miss seeing you in the bed next to me. It’s just not the same without you here. The room is just too empty.” 

“I’m not ready to come back just yet. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready, but Dr. Thomas says I need to sooner rather than later. Said I can’t just wait for my panic attacks to go away because that day probably will never come.” 

“Are the professors being cool at least? Letting you make up your work so you don’t fall a semester behind?” 

“Yeah. Some of them are. Others are saying I’ll have to repeat the class.” 

“After everything you’ve been through this semester, they won’t help you out a little bit?” 

“It’s not their job. Their job is to teach.” 

“Yeah but still. It’s retarded they won’t work with you.” 

“You know I hate that word.” 

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have said it. It just, slipped out. I won’t say it again. Cross my heart.” 

“Thanks. At least I converted one person to stop saying the R-word.” 

“I think we should have a girl’s weekend soon though. I need my Kat fix more than just nightly phone calls.” 

“Someone’s here, Em.” 

“Kat, Katherine. No one is with you. It’s just Roxi.” 

“No, Em. I’m being serious. I heard a twig snap in the woods.” 

“It’s probably just Roxi getting the toy.” 

“Roxi’s next to me. Someone’s there.” 

“Kat. I know it’s hard for you right now, but I need you to think logically. You said it yourself. A twig snapped in the woods. How many animals could it be other than Roxi who made that noise? A rabbit, a squirrel, a deer . . .” 

“A person.” 

“If you’re that spooked just go inside.” 

“You’re right. Come on, Roxi. Roxi, no!” 

“What’s going on?” 

“Roxi ran after whatever’s in the woods.” 

“Like I said. It’s probably just another animal. She’ll be back in a second or two. Just start walking back to the house and she’ll come when she hears the door open.” 

“She just started to cry. Like she just freaked out and started yelping and crying. I don’t know what to do, Em. I can’t see her. I don’t know where she’s at. I’m freaking out.” 

“Hello?” 

“Who was that?” 

“I don’t know. I told you there’s someone here.” 

“Just run inside.” 

“What about Roxi? I can’t just leave her if she’s hurt.” 

“Go back out in like five, ten minutes. Go back out after calling Ted or your parents or something.” 

“Em, he’s coming closer.” 

“Who is? Kat just get inside.” 

“I can’t move. I’m stuck in the mud.” 

“Just run, Kat. Forget your shoe. Leave it and come back for it. Just run!” 

“Katherine Parker, is that you?” 

“Who is that, Kat?” 

“Logan?” 

“Who’s Logan?” 

“I thought I heard someone out here. Is everything OK?” 

“Oh, yeah. Um, just.” 

“Who is Logan?” 

“It’s OK, Em. I’ll call you back in a few minutes.” 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were one the phone.” 

“No, no, it’s OK. Oh, you found Roxi!” 

“Yeah. She wandered into my yard. I heard her yelp over the TV. She must’ve gotten her foot caught on some wire or something. It looks like she’s hurt it pretty bad.” 

“Oh thank you so much. If my parents thought something serious happened to her they would’ve killed me.” 

“With all that yelling and hollering I’m sure they heard you.” 

“Impossible. They’re out for the night.” 

“Oh.” 

“Don’t get any ideas, Logan.” 

“Oh come on, Kat. We’ve know each other since we were kids. You’re like a sister to me.” 

“Fair enough.” 

“Say, you want some help getting Roxi inside?” 

“That would be great.” 

“Hey. I uh, I heard about what happened at school. I meant to come over when I first heard and saw you home, but I just wasn’t sure about it.” 

“Don’t worry about it.” 

“I do though. We’ve been friends forever. I know we haven’t been super close since high school, but I still consider you one of my closest friends.” 

“Aw, thanks Logan. I think the same about you.” 

“That’s why I just feel so bad. I should’ve been there to stop it, and I should’ve been there after too.” 

“Don’t say that.” 

“It’s true.” 

“You know we tried dating. It just didn’t click romantically. Thanks for your help. You can just put Roxi down on the couch.” 

“Did you wanna take her to the vet or anything? I can drive.” 

“She should be fine in a few minutes. You said her foot just got caught on something right?” 

“Yea.” 

“Then yeah, she’ll be fine soon. Not the first time.” 

“Gotcha. Guess I’ll head home now.” 

“OK. Thanks again for finding Roxi and bringing her back home.” 

“Of course. Say, Kat.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Did you ever get a good look at the guy who did that to you?” 

“I saw him only a little bit. It was dark. I just sorta woke up to him.” 

“Ah. And did they catch the guy?” 

“Not yet. The school’s reviewing all the secret cameras they have in the halls and stuff, which I think is a huge, fat lie.” 

“What if I told you something?” 

“Told me what?” 

“What if I told you I have a surprise for you?” 

“You didn’t have to get me anything, Logan.” 

“I’ll be right back.” 

“Logan.” 

“Just stay right there.” 
 
“Katherine?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Is it OK for me to come in?” 

“Sure. Logan? What’s going on?” 

“This is my surprise to you. This is Ted.” 

“I know who this is obviously. Why is he all tied up?” 

“Well, Katherine. I did some digging of my own when I first heard. I knew the school wouldn’t do anything other than try to sweep it under the rug, so I broke into the security office and stole the tapes from that night. I did my own detective work, which wasn’t hard at all since he’d been to your room five times earlier that day.” 

“What are you talking about, Logan? What’s going on?” 

“Don’t you see? It was Ted who snuck back into your room that night. Ted was the one.” 
“Is that true?” 

“Mfhrjfie.” 

“Shut up. You’ll get your day in court, maybe.” 

“Ted, tell me what’s going on.” 

“I didn’t say you could take that off!” 

“Come on, man. Just leave her alone. Leave us alone.” 

“I did this for you, Katherine. I brought him here for you.” 

“I never asked for any of this, Logan. Just let me talk to Ted. Alone.” 

“I do all of this for you and you don’t believe me? How can you trust some scumbag like him over me, someone you just said is one of your closest friends? The person who was your first boyfriend, your first partner, your first love?” 

“Logan, I have no clue what you’re talking about. We dated for two weeks. We never were together, together.” 

“How could you have forgotten?” 

“Kat, let’s get out of here. Clearly this guy is unstable and doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” 
“I don’t think I said you could leave. Either of you.” 

“I think it’s time for you to go, man.” 

“And I think it’s time for you to tell Katherine the truth.” 

“I’m serious, let’s just go, Kat. Get Roxi and let’s go.” 

“Sit the fuck down. The both of you!” 

“Where did you get that, Logan?” 

“That’s none of your business. Both of you sit down, or you’ll make me do something I don’t want to do to you both.” 

“Logan, please just put the knife down. You don’t have to hurt us.” 

“I don’t have to, but I want to.” 

“Ahhhhh!” 

“Logan stop! You’re hurting him!” 

“I don’t think I’m hurting him enough.” 

“Ahhhhh. God, please stop!” 

“Ha. So pathetic. Already begging for your life and I’ve barely done anything. Do you want to tell her now what you did to her?” 

“Other than run in as soon as I heard her screaming and then run out to get help?” 

“Liar!” 

“Uhhhhhhhh stop, stop. Please stop!” 

“Never!” 

“Kat, just run. Run and get as far away from here as possible.” 

“Why are you doing this, Logan?” 

“Because if I can’t have you, nobody can.” 

***

“And then what happened, Katherine?” 

“Please don’t make me relive it again.” 

“You know it’s detrimental to your healing process. You need to desensitize yourself to the situation so you can move on from it.” 

“How can I become desensitized to seeing my boyfriend stabbed over and over by that freak Logan? For the millionth time, I could’ve done something. I should’ve done something. Instead all I could do what sit in the corner and space out until my parents came home God only knows how many hours later.” 
“You do remember what happened once they came home?” 

“Yes.” 

“I need you to say it, Katherine.” 

“I can’t.” 

“I know you don’t want to go back on your medicine, Katherine. I need you to say what happened so I don’t have to put you back on your medicine.” 

“I can’t. I won’t say it.” 

“I think we’re just about done here then, boys. Go ahead and put her back in 4B.” 

***

“So, Doc. Just give it to us straight. How is she?” 

“Not good. She’s completely reordered her memory of that night.” 

“How so?” 

“She is convinced she had nothing to do with Theodore’s death.” 

“I—I can’t listen to this anymore. I’ll be in the car, Seth.” 

“She’ll be okay. It’s just been a lot to deal with lately.” 

“Understandable.” 

“If she doesn’t think she killed him, what does she think happened?” 

“She believes that Logan killed him.” 

“Logan? Who’s Logan?” 

“A week or so back she mentioned him being a neighbor. Someone she used to play with when they were kids. She said they dated for a short time in high school.” 

“Surely I don’t know who you’re talking about. Wait. I know who Logan is. He was Kat’s imaginary friend. Yeah. The two of them were inseparable. We tried to shake her of him for years. Nothing worked. Doctors and therapists said it was just a phase she would grow out of. We thought she did years ago, but I guess that’s not the case.” 

“I see.” 

“I don’t like how you said that. When can I see my daughter?” 

“I know this is very stressful for you and your wife but please stay calm.” 

“I can’t stay calm. My wife and I are bombarded with media day in and day out asking about that night. We have her school up our asses. I’ve had enough of this. Where’s Kat? I’m taking her home with me.” 

“I can’t let you do that Mr. Rowlans.” 

“And why not?” 

“Because your daughter is a murderer. It’s as simple as that. This isn’t a straightforward mental health admission. It’s either here or prison, Mr. Rowlans. And she can’t go to prison because she is a danger to herself and others. She must stay in hospital for the indefinite future. And the fact that she is convinced a hallucinatory person killed her boyfriend is highly alarming.” 

“What are you getting at?” 

“Something more serious and more alarming has been going on with your daughter since childhood.” 

“You’ll be hearing from our lawyer.” 

“Yes, Mr. Rowlans. I’m sure I will. Chapman, Gentile, let’s actually move Katherine to E2.” 

“But sir—” 

“Just do it! It’s best that we have her separated from everyone else right now.”