Cassie is self-sabotaging, a dry sense of humour, a sultry melody, a sarcastic remark. She's a dead gaze, smudged eyeliner, a garden of withering red tulips, and... an addict. 

Etienne is indecisive, anxious, classically handsome, a teller of great stories. He's a smile that doesn't reach the eyes, a lit cigarette, an alternative rock song, and a bad friend.  

It all started when they were only six years old. And it hasn't stopped. It keeps happening. They weave in and out of each other's lives, with their strange connection to blame. Their bond is both strengthened and weakened by their shared traumas. Their relationship is a ballad about codependency and the electricity of first love. 

Their lives are an unmanageable mess that sees them dwell in the world of drugs, depression, and the multitude of young women being found dead in the Merseyside Area. They each must confront their faith in second chances, fate, and circumstance. 

                                                         ― ― ― ― ― 

 And he's somewhere in the middle. But you can also find him at the beginning, and he'll be waiting for you by the end. He's everywhere. He is good with ropes, great at sketching, addicted to pornographic content. He hates his wife, hates his son, knows how to avoid leaving fingerprints on his victims.

ON MOUNT EVEREST WITH YOU.

"The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing." 


 The very first thing I noticed was the thunderstorm outside. The lightning was soon to follow, drawing pretty lines all over the night sky that were only traceable for a second or two. 


 The dining room of the Pedersen family home wrapped around me with completely foreign dimensions. High ceilings, white walls, dark furniture and scattered paintings. I had no recollection of how I got there. I couldn't remember what had happened before this moment and therefore could not understand how it came to be. I could not recall any car journeys, making it through the front door of this house, or even taking a seat on this very table. 


Chapter Thirty.