Creep - Jennifer Hillier [49]
Inside the house, he took an immediate right, heading through the basement door, which he’d propped open before he’d left that evening. The door behind him closed and locked automatically, and it had a keypad. Nobody could enter or exit the lower level of the house without the code.
It hadn’t been easy to find a house with a basement in the greater Seattle area. The basement mirrored the upper level—huge and sprawling. He felt no claustrophobia here. As he navigated down the stairs, the lights turned on automatically.
It would only take a few minutes to get Sheila prepared. He hummed, almost giddy with anticipation.
He placed her gently on the bed and her head rolled to the side. Her mouth was slightly open and a line of saliva trailed down her chin and under her jaw.
She looked dead.
Lovingly, Ethan traced the saliva with his finger and tasted it, remembering.
CHAPTER : 15
The room smelled pleasant, like the grass after a good rain, reminding Sheila of summers spent on Fox Island as a girl, running around barefoot in the backyard of the house she’d lived in until her mother died.
That was so long ago, decades really. But, at this moment, it felt as if she were there. The cool breeze kissed her damp skin like a lover. Inhaling deeply, the fresh, clean air expanded her lungs, and it felt good.
She sensed movement behind her closed eyes and tried to open them, but the eyelashes on her right lid stuck together and it stung as they ripped apart.
This was not Fox Island.
Her vision was blurry and her head was thick with the brain fog that only happened after nights of serious drinking or one of her blackouts. Is this what happened? Had she fucked up again? Her mouth was cotton dry, and when she tried to swallow, she gagged.
The shadow in front of her danced around. She tried to follow its movements, but it wasn’t easy. She heard voices in the background, low voices, chuckling voices, familiar voices. Her breath came faster as she fought back panic. She must have passed out in a public place. What if she was at the university somewhere? What if one of her students saw her?
She struggled to stand up, but couldn’t. Her arms were lead and her legs wouldn’t respond.
“Just relax,” a man said in a kind voice. “Nobody’s here but you and me. It’s just the TV. I put it to CNN because you’re an avid CNN watcher, aren’t you?”
She tried to speak but her parched throat refused to comply.
“Now listen carefully and try to relax. I know it’s difficult because you don’t know yet where you are, but you have to try. I’m going to put a straw to your lips. I’m going to give you some water. Okay? Here it comes.”
Something must have happened. She must be at a hospital somewhere, and any minute, the kindly voice was going to explain to her what the hell was going on. Wherever she was, Morris was on his way. He had to be.
Sheila felt the plastic touch her lips. She puckered in reflex, sucking in the cool water. She took five long sips before he took it away.
“There. Better?”
She tried to nod but her head felt heavy.
“Now, I want you to listen to me. I want you to focus. Can you see me?”
She looked straight at him. Gradually, the abstract colors started taking shape and her vision began to fill out, transforming him from a two-dimensional picture into real life.
“Do you remember me from last night?” he asked, smiling.
She kept staring at him, struggling to focus as his features continued to sharpen. Tawny skin, dark hair, dark eyes appraising her behind thick-framed glasses, tall and confident. It came back to her quickly. Tony’s Tavern. Swiss-mushroom burger and a Diet Coke with lime. Yes, she remembered.
“James,” she said, her voice hoarse. “You’re James. Where am I?”
“At my house.” His voice was reassuring. “In a room in the basement, my most favorite room actually, a room only very few people get