Page 72 of XO Karma

“Happy birthday,” they say, and annoyance courses through me. I’m trying to forget about a day that used to be one of my favorites, so if people could stop reminding me, that would be great.

“Thank you.” It slips out due to Southern ingrained manners when what I really want to say is, Go fuck yourself.

“I left you a present.” My stomach churns as I glance around the room. Last time it was on my bed, but the duvet is empty.

“Where?”

“I tried to scream, but no sound came out,” they say, and my eyes widen at the realization they’re quoting Goosebumps. I rush over to the bookshelf, scanning for anything out of place. Dragging my finger against the spines, I check in number order, pausing on the newly placed, mint condition number thirty-two. Gasping, I pull it off the shelf. “I thought it only fitting that you receive it for your thirty-second birthday.”

I flip the book open and gasp once more at R.L. Stine’s signature, prominent on the first page. “I don’t understand. Why are you giving me this?”

“It’s a peace offering. So you realize we’re on the same side.”

I rub my thumb over the soft cover, mind cloudy. “Or you could just tell me who you are.”

They chuckle. “You know you’ll have much more fun if you figure it out yourself.”

“Fun?! This is supposed to be fun?” I ask, exasperated. So what if I’ve been more exhilarated in the past two weeks than in my entire life? This is still insane. And they want me to just… play along? Nothing about this investigation has been easy, but they did lead me to the Westerford mansion, which has given me more leads than I’ve had in, well, ever. I still don’t get their motives. Are they the Kodak Killer? Do they just want them found? Maybe they’d be willing to help? “You said I’m not asking the right questions the other day…” I swallow hard, forcing confidence. “As a birthday gift and final peace offering, can you acquire one piece of knowledge for me? And then I’ll know we’re on the same side.”

Static crackles in the line, and I worry he’s hung up. “What is it?”

“I need to know Jude Westerford’s schedule for the week.”

“Why?”

“You want me to play the game? I’m playing it.” My jaw is tight as I pace the room. “Can you find out or not?”

More static. “Expect to hear from me within forty-eight hours.”

The call drops, and I release a shaky exhale. I don’t know if they’ll follow through, but it was worth a try. My eyes fall to the novel in my hands, homing in on the tagline: Reader beware… you choose the scare! A tinge of grief twists in my chest. If only finding Violet’s killer were as simple as these choose your own adventure books. I return the new signed first edition to its place on the shelf. Hell, I should probably put it in some type of protective casing. If I were ever really desperate, I bet that thing could get a pretty penny on a resell site.

Expelling the thoughts about the crazy caller and their little gifts and games, I slip under my covers and navigate to the Karma portal on my phone to check for requests. The plan for the day is to rest and then hopefully enact a punishment tonight to distract me from waiting around with buzzing anxiety for a tip from my anonymous caller. Or doing something idiotic like showing up at Aster’s house.

Twelve new requests have been received since yesterday.

Karma Request #2854

Crime: My in-laws keep telling my husband and me they’re going to take our kids from us

Evidence: (14) screenshots, (6) videos, (8) photos, (5) documents

Preferred Punishment: Relocate them to Oregon

Payment Offered: $20,000 + $10,000 moving costs

How To Find The Target: [Shown after job is accepted]

While I respect the payout and agree they sound like psycho level in-laws, I think they might consider a restraining order for that particular situation. Coordinating a move across the country is going to require manipulation and planning, for which I don’t currently have the energy. Although “you’ve won a six month stay at a time share” could be an easy start… I mark it to return to later when I have more mental capacity.

Karma Request #2855

Crime: My co-worker keeps stealing my yogurt

Evidence: (1) photo, (1) audio recording

Preferred Punishment: Dump yogurt on his car

Payment Offered: $100 + unlimited yogurt budget