CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN – TALKING DOWN THE MONSTER

"Ava," Trent's voice boomed across the field, surprisingly steady despite the tension. "Put down the knife. We can talk about this." Ava, however, remained fixed on Scarlett, her manic grin morphing into a snarl. "Get away from me! None of you understand!" From her position on the ground, Scarlett felt a wave of nausea pass over her. The throbbing pain in her head intensified with every beat of her heart. Ignoring the growing dizziness, she forced her eyes open and spoke, her voice hoarse. "Ava," she rasped, "it's not too late. You can stop this." Ava's gaze flickered towards Scarlett, her crazed demeanor momentarily disrupted. "You betrayed me, Scarlett! You stole my happiness!" Tears welled up in Scarlett's eyes. "No, Ava," she whispered, pushing herself up on her elbows despite the agonizing pain. "It wasn't like that. You don't understand." "Lies!" Ava spat, the knife wavering ever so slightly in her trembling hand. "Your mother stole everything from mine! And now you…" "My