Page 249 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

Sweet enough to trust. Sharp enough to bleed. You spent this entire story wondering who the monster was. Have you figured it out yet?

I tilted my head.

The detective?

A pause.

The killer?

Another pause.

Me?

Frank groaned dramatically somewhere behind me.

"Here she goes."

Gerald sighed, sounding as though he carried the weight of every bad decision ever made.

"To be fair..." he muttered, "you did tell them."

I couldn't help but laugh.

I did, didn't I?

Frank folded his tiny ceramic arms.

"Several times."

Gerald nodded.

"You practically handed them the answer.”

I looked back at you, amusement dancing behind my eyes.

I told you not to trust me. I said authors lie. I warned you monsters aren't always what they seem.

Gerald gave a slow nod.

"You did warn them."

Frank snorted.

"Repeatedly."

I smiled wider, almost pitying now.

The funny thing is...if you still haven't found the monster...then you haven't really been paying attention, have you? You poor reader. You searched the dark forest, abandoned warehouses, and crime scenes. You even questioned the detective. I mean the sheriff was a given but... You even searched every suspect, but you never questioned the person telling you the story. The one whispering in your ear. The one deciding which truths you deserved...and which lies you would believe.

I never lied when I said monsters exist. I simply forgot to tell you...sometimes...the monster gets the happy ending."

Frank let out a bark of laughter.

"That's actually a good line."

Gerald pinched the bridge of his tiny nose.

"She's insufferable."