I gasped and opened my eyes, half-way giving a scream! I then blinked and looked around. I quickly realized I was...sitting in my car?

I looked out the dashboard and saw I was in the parking lot of Circus Baby's Pizza Party Rentals. It was nighttime out. Did I pass out in the car when I got here or something...?

That's when I looked in the passenger seat and saw a small wicker basket with a red bow on it. And in that basket were around 10 sticks of butter and a note. I took the note out and read it.

"Thanks for coming in tonight! I'm sorry you had to, especially since you worked yourself so hard that you passed out, but I assure you that your work was very much appreciated! Please accept the gift basket that you chose on your way down. And as a bonus, it won't come out of your paycheck. Thanks again! -Tyler"

I just stared at the note and then the basket. I remember all that in the elevator...but I swore when I was down there, Tyler was dead...and Circus Baby...and the pain in my chest...and the blood...

I then rubbed my eyes. It must have all been a dream. Frankly, I'm too tired to think about it. I just wanna get home.

*          *          *

"You burned down my house???" Vlad asked in complete shock.

"You call that a house??" Clara responded angrily. "It was like a morgue in there!"

"I may be undead, but you're heartless!"

"You need to see your son!"

"The baby isn't mine!"

"HE ATE THE CAT!"

"Sounds like something he got from YOUR side of the family!"

"Well, how's this: I'm keeping the diamond ring!"

"The joke's on you! I found it in a kid's meal!"

Clara's eyes widened as her jaw dropped. Then, a smile grew on her face.

"You...bought a kid's meal...? Oh, Vlad!"

"Clara!"

The couple then proceeded to make out as the camera slowly shifted to the burning house.

"As the hair on the back of a cat stands up straight," the announcer concluded, "so also does the love between Vlad and Clara stand up against all obstacles! But what about the baby? What about the backed child support? Stay tuned next season for those answers and more!"

The credits began to roll as I smiled and turned towards my daughter.

"What did you think?" I asked her.

"That was awesome!" she replied with joy. "What about you, Aunt Jane?"

Jane shrugged and gave a small smirk.

"It was fine, I guess."

Jasmine threw a piece of popcorn at Jane and we all started to laugh.

"Sorry you had to come watch Jasmine again, Jane," I finally told her.

"Hey, no problem, really. Plus, any day I get popcorn buttered with butter from India is a good enough day for me!"

"Do you think next time, we can use the butter from Brazil?" Jasmine asked.

"Of course," I replied as I rustled her hair. "Now, you get ready for bed."

"Okay!"

She then got up and ran to the bathroom, leaving my sister and I alone.

"So, it went pretty well tonight?" she asked as she took another bite of popcorn.

"I think so," I replied. "For the life of me, I can't even remember what we did!"

"Dang. You worked yourself that hard, huh?"

"I guess so...but hopefully it'll all pay off."

"I'm sure it will."

She then looked at her watch.

"Well, I best be going," she told he as she took one more handful of popcorn. 

"Alright, then. Oh, and Jane?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for watching Jasmine all week. I really appreciate it."

"Any time, Sis."

"Great! Because I was thinking of treating myself to a spa day tomorrow and-"

"You and I both know that's a lie."

"...yeah, I know."

We then laughed before walking to the door. I gave her a hug and told her to drive safe on the way home.

"I'll be fine, Alice. I promise."

"Well, you know how I am."

"Yeah, I know."

She then gave me a grin before leaving. I sighed, locked the door for the night, and rubbed my eyes. This has been one strange week, but thankfully it all turned out okay. I just need to take one, long, well-needed...

That's when I stopped rubbing my eyes. That's when I saw Jasmine standing in the doorway.

"Hey, Mom," she asked, "do we have any more toothpaste? This tube ran out."

I just stared at her. I suddenly realized that she was the only other person in the room. I don't know why I thought of that like it was some sort of big revelation, but I did.

"Mom...? Are you okay?"

I just continued to stare at her for a few more seconds before I smiled.

"Of course, Sweetie. I'll go get some more."

I went over to the hall closet and searched a bit before finding a new tube of toothpaste.

"Here," I told her as I held it out.

"Thanks!" she replied as she walked over to get it.

Then something happened. Something...bad...happened. As soon as she reached for the toothpaste, I felt my other hand quickly wrap around her throat. She gasped, naturally, and tried to scream.

"M...om!! What...areyou...do...ing??"

I then found myself blinking really really hard. And my head started to hurt really bad. That's when I could feel myself blacking out yet again.

*          *          *

My eyes slowly opened up a while later. I looked around and noticed that I was in the bathroom. Why was I in here...? God, my head... it hurts so much...

I quickly came to, though, when I saw someone lying on their back in the living room. It wasn't just anyone, though...!

"JASMINE!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as I quickly stood up and sprinted into the living room!

I ran over to my little girl and my heart began to both sink and go faster as I looked in horror. Her eyes were closed, her mouth was open, and her neck had 2 large bruises on them!

"No...! NO!!"

I placed my ear to her chest, trying to find a noise. Nothing. Zip. Fucking nada!"

I then started bursting into tears. My little baby...she's gone! What did I do?? WHAT DID I FUCKING DO???

I started bawling loudly as I repeatedly slammed my fist into the floor! This can't be happening! This can't be fucking happening!!!!

I could feel myself starting to wretch up. I quickly bolted back into the bathroom, opened the toilet lid, and hurled vomit everywhere. After I was done, I just continued to sit there and cry, trying to comprehend what the hell happened!

I then stood in front of the sink, turned on the water, and splashed it into my face. Maybe this will wake me up! Maybe I'll turn back and Jasmine will be sleeping in her bed, still breathing!

After I splashed myself and looked into the mirror, I could see just how much of a nervous wreck I was. God...I looked like a disaster.

That's when it happened. My eyes. They started to glow a dark shade of purple. I blinked really quickly, but it wasn't going away!

"What the fuck is happening???" I screamed aloud to anyone who could hear me!

"Shh..."

A voice...but not just any voice...and not just from any place...it was a familiar voice, coming right from inside my head.

"It's going to be okay..."

I continued to stare at the mirror, slowly starting to shake my head.

"What. Did. You. Do?" I sternly asked the voice.

"I'm sorry... I told you, I'm broken..."

My breathing got heavier with rage. I began thinking ahead and realizing just how bad this situation was for me. When the cops inevitably show up, they're going to quickly realize that it was my body who did this. But who's going to believe it wasn't actually me who did it?

And on top of that, even if I somehow get off the hook, I'll probably be sent to a looney-bin or something. But no matter what happens, I'll still be alone. No Jasmine, the one person who kept me going through life...

I ran out of the bathroom and straight to my purse. I rummaged in it a bit before I found what I was looking for. I then marched straight back into the bathroom and looked back into the mirror, feeling a mixture of rage and sadness as I looked at my glowing eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm stopping this nightmare forever!"

"No...don't! Please! We need you!!"

I then put the barrel under my chin and saw the tears roll down my cheeks.

"Go to hell."

I then pulled the trigger.