The night outside Hyacinth's apartment was spookily quiet, one would think a deathly Halloween was coming.
Hyacinth double-checked her bag, ensuring they had everything they needed for their brief stay at the hotel before their flight to Brazil the next morning. Lana paced nervously behind her, the thought of their decision to leave still weighed heavily on her mind.
As Hyacinth turned the key in the lock, she heard a shuffle behind them. At first, she thought it was a stray cat, or a neighbor returning late, but when she looked up, her heart sank. Standing in the pale light of the corridor was Kim, Lana's notorious ex. Her face seemed weak and her eyes wild, as if she hadn't slept in days.
"What are you doing here?" Hyacinth's tone seemed upset, as her grip tightened on the keys.
Kim stepped forward.
"I should be asking you that. And you! Where do you think you're going, Lana? Running off into the night like a coward?"
Lana froze, her face dulling.
"Kim, this isn't any of your business. Just stay out of this, I beg of you."
"That's right! It's none of your business, and just in case you haven't realized it, or you're choosing to be too dumb to realize it— I live here, and you don't! So, I'd suggest you get off my property now, else I'll call the authorities and report you for trespassing, Kim." Hyacinth cut in.
"It is my business!" Kim snapped. "Everything about Lana is my business!
You think you can just leave me behind like this, Lana? Without a single word? Without an explanation?"
Hyacinth stepped between them.
"Kim, we don't have time for this. Whatever issues you have with Lana, they're in the past. You need to leave now."
But Kim wasn't listening. Her eyes moved between the packed bags at their feet and Lana's guilty expression. Her erratic behavior increased with every passing second. Suddenly, her lips turned into a bitter smile.
"You're running," she hissed. "You're running away together. Leaving without anyone knowing. Don't think I'm stupid."
"Kim, please," Lana pleaded, shaking. "This has nothing to do with you. Don't start up some shit!"
She laughed coldly.
"Nothing to do with me? Lana, we were supposed to have everything! A future! But no, now you're running off with her?" She pointed a finger at Hyacinth, "If I can't have you, she can't either."
Hyacinth stepped closer, trying to calm her.
"Kim, you really don't want to do this. Just walk away."
But Kim's eyes burned with something unhinged.
"Walk away? Oh, no. You don't get to disappear into the sunset, Lana. I'll make sure your precious little family knows everything— about you being gay, and now running away because you can't face them. You can't face reality."
She turned on her heel, heading toward the staircase.
"No!" Lana cried, reaching out to stop her, but it seemed too late. Kim was already descending the steps.
Fear coursed through Hyacinth like ice water. If Kim followed through with her threat, their plans would unravel, and Lana's life would spiral out of control. Everything they had fought for would be over.
In a rush of desperation, Hyacinth grabbed the first thing within reach— a heavy ceramic vase sitting on a nearby table. Without thinking, she ran after Kim.
"Kim, stop!" she shouted.
Kim paused on the landing below, turning back with a triumphant pout.
"What's the matter? Afraid your little getaway's about to go up in smoke?"
The anger and fear erupted in Hyacinth, clouding her judgment. Before she could think, she swung the vase, hitting Kim's temple. The sound was sickening— a dull, wet thud that echoed.
She fell to the ground, her body limp and didn't move.
Lana reached the landing just as Hyacinth dropped the vase, trembling. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the gravity of what had just happened began to sink in.
"Hyacinth…" Lana's eyes wide with shock. "What did you do?"
Hyacinth stared down at Kim's motionless body, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
"I—I didn't mean to… I just wanted her to stop. I didn't—"
Lana knelt beside her, pressing her fingers to her neck. Her stomach turned when she felt nothing but cold, still skin.
"She's dead."
The words hit Hyacinth like a freight train. She staggered back, gripping the stair railing for support.
"No… no, she can't be. I didn't mean to—"
"Hyacinth, we don't have time to fall apart," Lana said, in a shaky but urgent voice. "We need to get her out of here. Now."
Back in Hyacinth's apartment, they laid her body in the bathtub, wrapping her in a thick shower curtain. Blood had matted her hair, staining the porcelain beneath her. The sight of it made Hyacinth's stomach churn, but she forced herself to focus.
"We'll clean this up," Lana said, "Then we'll figure out what to do… with her."
Hyacinth nodded. She scrubbed at the bloodstains with a rag, her hands shaking so badly she could barely hold it. Lana hovered nearby, her face pale but determined.
"What if someone heard us?" Hyacinth whispered, the thought of that sent a fresh wave of panic through her. "What if someone saw her come here?"
"We'll say she left," Lana replied quickly. "We'll act like nothing happened. But we have to leave tomorrow. We can't stay here."
***
As the hours dragged on, the gravity of their action reigned over them like a storm cloud. They sat on the couch, their bags packed and waiting by the door, neither of them were able to sleep.
"Do you think they'll find her?" Lana asked quietly.
Hyacinth shook her head.
"Not if we're careful. But we have to stick to the plan. No mistakes."
Lana hesitated, then reached for her hand.
"We'll get through this. Together."
Hyacinth squeezed her hand, drawing strength from her touch. But even as she nodded, the doubt lingered in the back of her mind.
***
As dawn broke, they prepared to leave. Hyacinth glanced at the bathroom door, now locked and silent. Her heart clenched at the thought of what lay behind it, but she forced herself to focus.
"We can't look back," she said as they stepped out of the apartment. "No matter what happens."
Lana nodded, her expression was grim.
"No matter what."
But as they headed toward the hotel, a nagging thought clawed at Hyacinth's mind…
Had they really covered their tracks? Or was the evidence of their crime waiting to catch up with them?