Page 33 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

"I didn't say I was."

She stopped writing. The room suddenly felt... Different. Quieter. Almost like the air had thickened. She studied me more carefully this time. Not like a patient but like a puzzle.

"Tell me what happened."

I smiled.

"He tried to kill me."

"I'm so sorry, no one deserves that."

"I suppose not."

She nodded encouragingly.

"And how did that make you feel?"

I stared at her. People always ask that. As though feelings are the interesting part.

"Like nothing."

"Your feelings?"

"Feelings in general."

She waited. Therapists love waiting. They think silence makes people confess. Sometimes it does and other times...

"As I said he tried to kill me."

She nodded gently.

"And then?"

"I killed him first."

Silence. Real silence. No fountain, clock, birds outside. Just. Sweet Silence. Wonderful. Silence, she blinked. Once.

"Excuse me."

Sweat dripped down her face, drip, drip, drip. Ewww

"I. Killed. Him. First."

"What did you just say?"

I looked at her for a long moment. Tilting my head sideways I laughed. Truly her face looks like a pufferfish. Oh, how funny.

"Mm..."

I leaned forward and whispered.

"You think I'm joking."

She smiled trying to look through me or if she could see if it’s a joke. It’s Not.

"I think you've been through something traumatic."

"No."