CHAPTER 33
KEEP PETER SAFE

UNLIKE MOST PEOPLE, both Sabrina and Sloane didn't find it hard to hurt the ones they loved. Self-destructiveness was inherited, and it was difficult to break out of that cycle. Sabrina found no remorse in making her children sick, just to satisfy some weird motherly urge within her to care. Sloane, on the other hand, knew she'd have to hurt someone she loved to keep them safe, even if that meant upsetting herself too. She wouldn't let anyone else be dragged into her mess.

With Sloane now bedridden, Sabrina was more preoccupied with her than Everett. Her stepbrother was still fed medicine often, but not as much as before. In the little moments that Sloane could get up from bed and see him through the crack in the door, she noticed Everett was looking less pale. The more she could get her mother away from him, the better.

She didn't really have much of a plan. She wondered if she'd keep up this act until her mother eventually killed her, and hopefully by then, Everett was graduating and moving into his college dorm, far away from Sabrina's grasp. And maybe, just maybe, with her distracted enough, there would be fewer Jawbreaker killings. Sloane had only been taking her medicine for a week and she hadn't heard of a murder yet. Whatever plan she was concocting, it might be working.

Sloane had been bedridden for at least a week. She answered Bobby's texts when she could, but every other call, text, notification – completely ignored. She hadn't talked to Peter since New Year's. He had been blowing up her phone for the past week, wondering where she was or what was wrong. Sloane only had the strength to text short messages like Sick, or, Talk to you soon. Peter was growing restless. She could tell he wanted to talk to her, see her, but she couldn't let him in on this.

She knew she had to minimize the casualties. The day had finally come when she couldn't ignore him anymore. She couldn't let Sabrina get to him, so he could be safe, but making this phone call was terrifying. Her phone was practically shaking in her hand. Sloane never had a problem with hurting people ... until now.

She looked through her messages. There were 24 unread texts and 6 voicemails. She listened to a few.

"Hey, Bernstein," Peter's voice was strangled through the speaker, "please let me know if there's anything I can do while you're sick. I'll come to the penthouse and feed you medicine if you want. I don't care if it's, like, a life-threatening illness or something. Anyway, call me."

"Sloane, can you please just call me back and let me know you're okay? At least so I can know you're not dead in a ditch. I know you said you're sick, but that could be just anyone texting from your phone. You know how suspicious I can get."

"Good morning. I know I'm being annoying, but I – I didn't do anything to make you upset with me, right? I'm here if you need me. Please, need me. Call me back, Sloane."

"Please, don't shut me out. Let me know if you're okay. I miss you, Sloane. I love you."

Downing a whole glass of water, Sloane finally mustered up the courage to tap on his number and call him. She regretted it as soon as she heard the ringing. Before she could hang up, Peter answered as if he'd been waiting by his phone.

No matter what he said, she needed to stay strong. He needed to stay out of this. Peter Parker needed to be kept safe from Sloane and her family.

"Sloane?" He said immediately, the worry and agony so deeply ingrained in his voice. Just the sound of it made her heart hurt.

You can do this, she reminded herself. You have to do this.

"Hi, Peter," she replied weakly.

"Jesus fuck," he sighed with relief. "It's you. Hi. I love you."

"Peter ..."

"I'm so happy to hear your voice. Are you okay? What kind of sickness do you –"

Sloane interrupted him by coughing, making her throat even more hoarse. She grabbed a half-empty water bottle from her bedside table and took a sip. "Peter," she finally said, sounding slightly out of breath, "I'm really sick –"

"I know –"

"– So I'm going back to Vermont to get better. I'm packing my things now. I just thought you should know."

Peter was silent for a good minute. It was so long that Sloane checked if he was still on the line. Eventually, he replied, "Vermont? Sloane, this is crazy."

"No, it's not crazy. I live in Vermont and my doctor is in Vermont and I'm really sick so therefore ... I'm going back to Vermont." Bile rose in her throat, and Sloane wasn't sure if it was from fear or the poison flowing through her system.

"Okay ..." He paused again. "So when will you be back?"

"I don't know."

"What about us?"

Sloane squeezed her eyes shut. Tears pricked at the corners. She didn't want to do this. She had to do this. Peter needed to be safe. KeepPetersafe. KeepPetersafe. KeepPetersafe.

"Well," she sighed, "I'm guessing that means we should take a break."

"You want to take a break?"

"I ..." Sloane rubbed at her pounding forehead. "Yes. Yes, Peter."

"Are you lying?" He asked seriously. "I can tell when you are, Sloane. You're not good at lying to me."

"Why are you being so persistent?"

"Because you're sick and you won't let me see you! You're running away to Vermont for some unknown reason!"

"I don't want you to see me," she said, her voice pained. "I want you to let me go, Peter."

He was quiet, and Sloane held her breath to stop herself from crying. Peter knew something was off. "Why are you doing this? What's really going on?"

"Peter, I'm hanging up. I have a train to catch soon. Goodbye."

"No, Sloane –"

The line went dead. Dead as a fucking doornail.

━━━━━━

For the first time in a week, Sabrina left Sloane and Everett alone for more than an hour. She told them she'd be in her room attending a virtual book club meeting and to holler if they needed anything. Sloane wondered when her mother found the time to read while smothering them with medicine and making them sick, but that was a question she'd keep to herself.

She needed to distract herself after the phone call with Peter. She tried sleeping or watching something on her laptop, but her phone kept ringing so much – Peter again – that she couldn't keep focus. After a while, she finally turned it off.

While her mother was away, she knew there wouldn't be another prime time to talk to Everett. It took what little strength she had left to get out of bed. She barely had enough energy to walk. A groan rose out of her throat as soon as her bare feet touched the cold floor. Pulling on pair of socks, she finally stood from the mattress and immediately felt nauseous. Don't puke. Don't puke. Don't puke. She took a minute to gather herself and once the nausea went away, she stuck her head out the door.

The hallway looked clear. She could hear her mother jabbering over Zoom about some erotica they read this week. Something about a priest breaking his vow of celibacy on the altar of his own church ...? Sloane might just be nauseous again.

Closing her door softly, she tiptoed to Everett's room and looked inside. He was sitting up, playing a video game. The flush hadn't yet returned to his cheeks and he was still sweating a little, but he looked ten times better than last week. With Sabrina paying Sloane so much attention, Everett wasn't getting much "medicine."

"Hi," Sloane said, voice sounding grave. She cleared her throat and walked inside his room. "Let me try that again. Hello," she tested out her voice. It sounded better this time.

Everett glanced over at her, taking in her sickly complexion. "You look awful."

"Wow, thanks."

"Heard you talking on the phone a little bit ago." His eyes were glued to the TV screen. "Why'd you lie about going to Vermont? Trouble in paradise?"

"Something like that." She tapped his legs, gesturing for him to scoot over. "I need to talk to you. Now."

He scoffed, pausing his video game and throwing the controller to the side. Sloane hopped up on the bed, legs dangling off the side. "Something is very wrong," she whispered.

Everett wiped the sheen of sweat off his forehead. "Well, duh, we're both sick. I can't even miss school right now. Teachers are making me join a Zoom call for class –"

"Everett, focus. Have you noticed that we both started getting sick when my mother began to give us medicine?"

"Uh ..." He paused, thinking it over. "I guess?"

"Well, the medicine certainly wasn't making you feel better, right?"

Everett shrugged and nodded at the same time. He was giving her conflicting answers, but she guessed he still understood where she was getting at.

"I think my mother is poisoning us," she confessed.

He laughed at first, a fit of giggles that turned into a cough. Sloane quickly put her hands over his mouth so Sabrina wouldn't hear. When he realized his step-sister was serious, he replied, "What? No."

"She is. She has to be," Sloane continued. "She did this when I was a teenager. Made me sick with some mysterious illness and the medicine only made it worse. Doctors didn't know what was wrong with me. My memories are all fucked up because of it. I don't know why she does it – either for a power trip or attention – but it makes her feel good to care for somebody.

"That being said ..." She looked off. "I think she might also be the Jawbreaker."

He lifted a brow. "Oh, come on –"

"Everett, you're just going to have to trust me on this." She grabbed his hand and squeezed. "I've been studying this case for my article, and a lot of evidence lines up. I just need to figure out what to do."

"Okay, well ..." He licked at the corners of his lips. "What can I do?"

"Stop swallowing whatever medicine she gives you, if you can. Spit it out as soon as she leaves your room," Sloane instructed. "I'm going to keep trying to distract her as much as I can so she stays away from you."

Everett's nose wrinkled with worry. "We should call the police."

"With what proof? We don't know where she puts that tray of medicine after she gives it to us and we hardly have the energy to leave our beds. Just let me figure it out."

"While you're being poisoned?"

Sloane opened her mouth to rebuttal when a loud, familiar voice echoed down the hall. She turned at the sound. Then, she heard her mother asking the person to leave. Both Sloane and Everett slowly got off the bed and padded over to the door, sticking their heads through the crack.

"Please, Mrs. Harper, I just need to know where Sloane is."

Sloane could just see a sliver of Peter's tall form from behind the door frame. His hair looked unbrushed and it seemed like he'd just come here after work, judging by his outfit. He wore a dark blue button-up and some grey slacks. Sloane bit her bottom lip, thinking about how handsome he was without even trying – but he should not be here right now. Peter had to let her go; he was safer being as far away from her mother as possible. Keep Peter safe. And yet, here he was, standing right in front of her, begging for Sloane's whereabouts.

"Talk about a knight in shining armor," Everett sneered, moving to walk around his step-sibling. "Maybe he can help us."

Sloane yanked him back behind her. "No, he can't. He's not even supposed to be here. I told him to let me go."

"I don't think he took the hint."

She rolled her eyes, turning back to the scene as Sabrina told Peter, "I think you should go. Sloane is very sick."

"Did she leave the penthouse already?" He began heading for the hallway where her room was located, causing both Sloane and Everett to change their stance behind the door frame. "Can I see her? Please?"

"Excuse me!" Sabrina tugged him back to the foyer. "I did not give you permission to roam my home, and I especially do not want you to see my little girl. She's sick. Respect my wishes."

Peter knitted his brow. "She's an adult, not a little girl. And I want to see her. Can you please tell me if she's still here?"

"No, please leave."

"Mrs. Harper –"

"I said, LEAVE!"

The elevator dinged and in walked Frank, throwing off his scarf as he eyed the scene happening in his foyer. He looked from his wife to Peter. Wrapping an arm around Sabrina, he said to her, "Looks like you need to calm down." He tilted his head up, staring at Peter. "What's going on here?"

"Nothing, dear," Sabrina replied, her mouth in a thin line. "Mr. Parker here was just leaving."

Peter took one last look down the corridor, and Sloane moved away from the door. From his spot, Peter could've sworn he saw a familiar pair of grey eyes down the hall but knew he could do nothing about it. Sloane thanked God that he didn't see her. She heard him say goodnight to her mother and stepfather before leaving.

Sabrina ripped her husband's arm off of her and snarled, "Don't you ever tell me to calm down again." Sloane and Everett watched her wag her finger in front of his face. "I'm going to check on the kids now."

Instantly, the two began scrambling on what to do. Everett sprinted as fast as he could to his bed, just barely getting the covers over him. Sloane, however, was screwed. She could already hear her mother's footsteps halfway down the hall. Sabrina was going to find her in here no matter what. In her haste, Sloane ended up tripping over her own feet. The impact of her queasy stomach hitting the hardwood made acidic bile crawl up her throat, and then a little vomit dribbled out of her mouth. She laid her face against the cold floor, reminding her of when she used to find comfort in doing this in the bathroom as a teenager.

The door to Everett's room opened a moment later.

"Sloane!" Sabrina knelt beside her daughter. "Why are you in here? Ever heard of cross-contamination?!"

"I just ... wanted to check on Everett," she replied, feeling dizzy again.

"Oh, honey ..." Her mother cooed. "You're all covered in vomit. Let's clean you up."

━━━━━━

There was nothing more embarrassing than a parent seeing you naked as an adult.

Somehow, Sabrina got Sloane in the master bath's clawfoot tub all on her own. She had stripped her daughter of her old pajamas and underwear before helping her into the tub of steaming-hot water. She made sure to comment that Sloane should consider getting waxed regularly so she wasn't so hairy "down there." If she had been more coherent, Sloane might've had a rebuttal.

The water stung against Sloane's icy skin. She laid back against the tub as Sabrina washed her hair, and then took a soapy loofa to every crevice of her body. Her mother slipped some medicine inside her mouth before the bath, and halfway through the scrubbing, Sloane felt the need to throw up. Sabrina held a trash can to her daughter's lips as she hurled, smoothing back her wet hair. "You'll feel better soon, honey," she said. "I promise."

In her poison-induced haze, Sloane asked her, "Did Peter come to see me, Mom?"

"No, you must've dreamt it. You must miss him, huh?"

Sloane's head rolled to lay against the lip of the tub. She closed her eyes and mumbled, "I'm in love with him, Mom."

"Big words," Sabrina chuckled. "It'll pass, sweetie."

Opening her eyes just the tiniest bit, Sloane's vision focused on a tray sitting by the white toilet at the end of the room. The medicine tray. She spied one brown bottle with the cap unscrewed. That must've been the medicine Sabrina just gave her – the worst one yet.

"Mom," she whispered, "what medicine have you been giving me and Everett?"

"Don't worry about that," Sabrina replied. Her French-tipped nails scratched Sloane's scalp, running through the damp strands. "I'm so happy that you need me again. I feel most at peace caring for you."

Sloane was too out of it to even argue with her.

"You know, we're more alike than you think." Sabrina poked her nose. "So stubborn. Rational. Smart. Bad childhoods." She shook her head. "When you were young, you were either drunk or sick. I tried my best with you, even during your outbursts. And me ... my mother was also very sick. Mentally. You never knew her like I did, mainly because she was locked up in an institution before you were born. I thank God that I didn't inherit it from her. She used to just ... terrorize me, honey. And that's when I started to take care of people. It began with my sick mother. Rest her soul – if she's still alive, that is."

Sloane looked at her through half-closed eyes. "Are you trying to kill me?"

Sabrina could only snicker, "You're delirious."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: first and foremost, I'm SO SORRY it took so long to post this chapter 😭 in case you didn't see my mb post, I've been sick on and off for the past month. between allergies and a cold coming on and off over the course of 2 weeks, I just couldn't write. I felt zero inspo and I just wanted to focus on getting better. since this chapter is finally being posted, you can tell I'm definitely better now lol. thank you to everyone's kind words on my mb post!!

also the last scene in this chapter was inspired by a scene in episode 8 of sharp objects! hope you guys enjoyed 😇💓