A Score to Settle

I turned slowly.

Vanessa leaned against the closed door. Her black hair was perfectly smooth, her oips painted a bright shade of red. In her hand, she twirled a small, vicious-looking paring knife.

“Vanessa.” Her name was a gasp, my voice shaking in pure terror.

Her smile widened. “Did you miss me?”

My back hit the edge of the dresser. My eyes darted instinctively to the door, which unfortunatel