by Ginny Lynn
The wind pushed against the vehicle as if it weighed nothing. I had a headache from the hour of intense concentration it took me to drive home.
I hated storms. They made me nervous. This storm frightened me because of its severity. The lights flickered as I went to my room for dry clothing, so I moved quickly. I threw on shorts and a camisole and grabbed the candles from my dining room table. I headed to get the lighter just as the power went out. Darkness enveloped me.
I fumbled for the lighter in the utility drawer and used the single light to walk to the bathroom to light the vanilla candle on the counter. It was a shame that the batteries were dead in my flashlight. I kept forgetting to get new ones at the store.
The power being out meant I would be without A/C, hot water or even a hot meal. I didn’t want to open the refrigerator, so I settled for a sloppy peanut butter and honey sandwich as my dinner.
I jumped at every boom or bright flash and dropped my sandwich once. Thankfully, it landed on the table. I grabbed a romance novel, but reading by candle light made my headache worse, so I put it up.
There was a crash. I jumped from my seat so fast that the chair fell. There was something in my ceiling. Water was dripping onto my floor. I heard yells as I grabbed the candle and went closer to my front door.
There was a tree branch coming through the molding above my front door. Water was pooling at my feet as I stood there. The tree that had stood beside the staircase had apparently fallen onto my unit. Hopefully, I could still get out.
I ran to my bedroom and grabbed up my emergency back pack. I put on my tennis shoes and pushed a scared Bella into her carrier as I heard someone on the walkway.
“Ma’am, are you in there?”
“Yes, who’s there?”
“It’s Robert from maintenance. We need to get everyone out of the units under this tree.”
“I’ll be right out. Is it safe to open the door?”
“It’s clear, but may not open all of the way.”
It opened just enough for me to squeeze through. I saw Robert look at the puddle at my feet. I handed him Bella’s soft carrier.
“I’ll get a sump pump over here to soak this up before too much damage is made. You’re lucky you live in this unit.”
He put Bella down and motioned to the hated apartment next door. The tree had taken out the top of the door and was halfway across the den area. I was indeed lucky. The tree was blocking the staircase and had busted some of the steps. The only usable staircase was beyond the tree and on the opposite side of the complex.
Robert had said they had several sump pumps and would use those when the power came back on. Right now he’d put tarps over the doorway. The floor would probably be damaged and maybe the bottom of my furniture, depending on the level of water seeping in.
I was thankful that all of my photos and electronics were on surfaces a few feet above the floor and not in the direct path of the destruction. My television and stereo items were in a four foot tall cabinet in the corner. My television might get some of it.
The complex manager had lent me the empty storage closet that was on my floor so Robert and I had made several trips filling it with my valuables.
I was soaked by the time I padded carefully through the puddles in the parking lot. I climbed inside my Jeep and shook the water from my hair, like a dog. I placed Bella on the passenger seat and wished I could crack the windows for her. I reached for my cell phone. It was damp from being in my pocket since I had spent so much time in the rain. It was going to need to sit somewhere warm to dry out.
“Hey honey” Conrad said.
“Hey”
“You sound tired. Is that the rain I hear?”
“Yes, it’s very rough over here. The tree at my staircase got struck by lightning and the trunk went into my roof.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, it did minimal damage to my ceiling, but totally demolished the roof next door. The staircase is blocked off and water was pooling in the den.”
“Where are you right now?”
“Bella and I are in the Jeep out in the complex parking lot. The manager offered me a storage closet so my personal stuff could be locked up.”
“Are you going over to stay with one of the girls?”
“Honestly, I hadn’t even thought that far. I used my brain cells for protecting us and my stuff first.”
“That makes sense. Why don’t you stay at my cabin?”
“I don’t have a key.”
“Sam, I have a hidden spare key and you’re more than welcome to stay there. The appliances and heat are gas so you should be comfortable if the power goes out. Just head over there and relax.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’d be insulted if you didn’t. The key is under the terracotta planter next to the shed.”
“Okay, I’ll head over there now. Thanks honey.”
“It’s no trouble. Please, be careful.”
“I will. I’ll call you tomorrow. Good Night.”
“Good night.”
I texted my info to all three of the girls, at once, before I pulled out of the parking lot. I slowly drove to the cabin, the solar lights lit up his gravel driveway. Bella meowed as she realized she would be getting out in the storm again. Hopefully, tonight wouldn’t make her afraid of storms.
I found the hidden key before getting Bella and my backpack. A flash lit up the room, followed by thunder as it shook the cabin. Poor Bella bolted under the couch as soon as the carrier was opened.
I changed into fresh pajamas and put my tennis shoes next to the hot water heater to dry. I was too keyed up to sleep and had to be up in five hours so I turned on the television downstairs. I set the alarm on my phone and curled up on the sofa with a blanket that smelled like Conrad. I called to Bella, who jumped in my lap just as another streak of lightning flared through the room.
She settled on my stomach as we both tried to ignore the chaos around us. It took sometime, but we finally fell into the sleep of the exhausted.
* * * *
The thunder woke me just before my alarm. Bella protested, so I had to coax her off of my stomach anyway. She was not happy at all. I understood her feelings.
I padded to the kitchen and made some coffee. It would be a three cup day. Thankfully, he had a thermos under the sink. I used his chocolate syrup instead of cream and sugar. The taste was richer, like his kisses. It would’ve been heaven if he’d had French vanilla marshmallows to top it off.
I padded to the shower and made it quick since I was standing in an old cast iron tub. I wasn’t taking any unnecessary chances these days. My point was made as a loud crack shook the walls just as I had gotten out of the antique tub.
I barely even dried off before I shoved jeans on my damp legs and yanked the gray T-shirt over my head. My hair went into a French braid and I exited the bathroom for my tennis shoes. Thankfully they were dry, so I got them on with less trouble than the jeans.
The coffee smelled amazing to my dull senses. I sipped a small cup as I smoothed makeup over my tired features. I wasn’t going to show up looking as bad as I felt.
I was aggravated at myself for forgetting Bella’s cat food and rummaged around in the cabinet for a replacement. I was grateful to see one can each of chicken breast and tuna fish. I opened up the tuna for Bella and knew she wouldn’t pout with me for much longer.
I headed out the door and drove on the flooded streets back to work. It wasn’t as torrential as last night, but it was still dangerous out on the roads. I was glad that the inspector wasn’t coming until next Tuesday.
The crew was understandably late, so I checked in with Conrad. I thanked him for the use of his cabin and told him about the cat food. He had chuckled and said he would be gone for two more days, considering the weather. He might even have to reschedule the whole trip, if it got any worse. I’d stay at his place until my place was repaired. He is such a good man. I was lucky.
It was still storming as I headed
out of work at four, thankfully it had lessened a bit. I was relieved to see fewer people on the roads. My cell phone rang, but I wasn’t about to take my hands off the wheel to answer it. Slow and steady, I made it back to the cabin without accident. I grabbed up my stuff and ran for the door.
I was exhausted and debated going to bed early.
My phone rang again.
“Hey, girl.”
“Hello, Parker. How’s the weather over there?”
“Miserable, how are you?”
“Okay, considering.”
“Uh oh, what happened?”
I told him about my apartment.
He whistled and said, “Should we change your name to Luck? You are always having a run of it, whether it is bad or good.”
“I totally agree. I’m at Conrad’s until my place is safe to go back to again.”
“Well, I’m heading back early in the morning, rain or not. The case is closed and I’m tired of this hotel. Don’t tell Chastity. I want to surprise her.”
“No problem. Be careful. I’ll see you later.”
“Night.”
I hung up and went to make a grilled cheese sandwich. He had several cheeses, so I made it gourmet. I made some tea and turned on the television to see a vampire classic was playing.
I went to flip my sandwich when I heard something scratching outside, even though I couldn’t see any car outside. I sat at the bar, facing the movie and took a bite of warm cheese. I loved when the cheese would stretch out in golden strands, like mozzarella sticks. I heard the noise again and shrugged as I realized that the wind was still whipping things around outside. It always takes time to become accustomed to noises in a new place.
I was half way done with my cheesy masterpiece when I heard a crash. The front door slammed against the wall. Bella took off up the stairs. I jumped up and couldn’t believe what I saw. Jason.
I was frozen in shock, this couldn’t be happening. His breath heaved as water dripped from his body. I dropped the sandwich and ran for the stairs.
“Hi baby, long time no see.”
He stalked toward me. Where the hell was I going to go? Jason was between the front door and me. Thoughts flew around in my brain. Did Conrad have a gun upstairs? Did Jason have a gun? How was I going to get out? Was Jason going to kill me?
He grabbed me from behind before I got to the closet.
“Why ya running? Didn’t you miss me?”
Shit, my cell phone was in my purse on the top of the fridge. I prayed he wouldn’t find it.
“Jason, what are you doing here?”
“Silly thing, I‘m here for you.”
“How did you know where I was?”
“That’s a secret. A guy has to keep a few up his sleeves when it comes to beautiful women.”
He rubbed the tip of his wet nose over my ear. My stomach rolled with disgust.
“Samantha, I’m glad that I found you alone.”
“I still want to know how you found me.”
“I’ve been tracking you, literally. I had to get sneaky in order to get some alone time with you.”
“Why?”
“You’re too smart to ask dumb questions.”
He loosened his grip a little. I went to turn away from him, and then something stuck me in the butt. He pulled me back against his body. The room got fuzzy.
“What did you do?”
“Oh, that. I brought along some nice party favors, just in case you needed to relax.”
“Relax?”
“Yes, I can’t have you stressed out while I plan our special time together. That wouldn’t be very nice of me.”
“Nice? Nothing you’ve done lately has qualified as nice.”
My voice slurred. The walls looked very far away. I had to fight this. I couldn’t fall sleep knowing this man was insane. I may never wake up.
“Don’t fight it, baby. You’re only making it worse and will get a terrible headache,” as he rubbed the back of my head. The room began to spin.
“No.”
“Yes, sleep now. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“No.”
Then the room went black.
Chapter Thirteen
The pounding wouldn’t go away. The storm was beating unmercifully against my brain. Make it stop. I realized the storm in my head was actually worse than the one outside. I tried to sit up, but my stomach turned. I lay against the pillows that smelled familiar. It was Conrad’s scent. Then the images hit me.
Holy shit! Where was the crazy bastard? Had he done anything to me? I took a painful inventory of myself and realized that, thankfully, I was completely dressed. Apparently, he had left me to sleep off the injection he’d given me. I strained for any sounds.
He was laughing at something, with that new creepy laugh of his. Maybe he was on the phone, would it be Chastity? I slipped off my shoes and silently crept down the stairs.
I saw him on the couch with his feet up. He was on his cell phone and hadn’t heard me. I listened in on his part of the conversation.
“Yeah, I hear ya.”
“Yes, I’m being a good boy.”
“No, I’ve decided to leave her alone. I know she’s your friend, but she’s too much of a priss for me.”
“Yes, I truly mean it. She’s nothing to me.”
“Chastity, I promise to be a good boy. You’d seriously kick my butt if I stepped out of line again.”
“I’ve been on some medication that had bad side effects. I’m off it now and away at a conference.”
I slid up behind the sofa and yelled at the phone, “Chaz, red alert. Code Red.”
Jason whipped up and backhanded me before I could say anything else. My ears rang. I could barely hear him.
“No, I’m fine. That was a girl here at the bar. I didn’t want to tell you that I was calling you from a bar when I’m supposed to be in a meeting. That was wrong of me.”
“I don’t want you to think any worse of me.”
“Chastity, seriously. How would I be near her? Didn’t you admit that she had a restraining order? Have you heard anything at all about me being around the last couple of days? I’m not even in the same state as her.”
I looked up at the evil gleam in his eye. He was daring me to say something. The pain between my head and jaw had me swallowing down bile.
“Okay sweetie, I’ll talk to you later. Call me any time and enjoy that new man of yours.”
He closed the phone and stepped closer to me. I inched backward until I hit a barstool.
“You’ve been a bad girl. You’re supposed to be asleep.”
I met his glance. I refused to look away or show fear. Fear would fuel him. I mustered more strength.
“Fuck off, Jason.”
He laughed. I thought he was going to hit me again. He laughed as if I had just told him the joke of the day. He was truly insane.
“I always loved your spirit, Samantha.”
He looked out the big window.
“The storm hasn’t died down yet, so my plans will have to be slightly delayed.”
“What plans?”
“I want you to myself, once and for all.”
“Jason, I don’t have the same feelings about you.”
“You did. Now you get dirty with another man.”
“I haven’t gotten dirty with anyone in years.”
“That’s good. I know you’ve gotten pretty close to it. You can’t lie about that.”
“How would you know?”
“I’ve been keeping an eye on you. That’s how I knew where to find you. I’ve heard your conversations and watched your actions. I’m very disappointed.”
“How the hell have you done that? Have you been following me?”
“It’s very simple,” he said as he yanked down my purse. He tossed it at me. Some of the items fell out.
“Grab your phone.”
I held it in my palm.
He pointed at it and said, “That’s how.”
I l
ooked at it as if it was alien to me. “How?”
“Remember the day that you broke down?” He smiled, as if he was the smartest person in the world.
“You did that to my motor?”
It started to make sense. I was so unbelievably stupid.
“Your phone disappeared, didn’t it?”
I nodded.
“Well, I saw you go there and I threw acid on your motor. I waited for you to drive by before I showed up to save you.”
“So how did you get my phone?”
“Ah, easy. You left it on the seat with the doors unlocked, like the trusting fool that you are. I grabbed it and inserted a GPS transmitter plus a little beauty that called me every time you opened it. I then slipped it between the cushions at the diner and acted surprised when the busboy acknowledged it. You forgot what I do for a living, dear.”
“You’ve listened in on all my calls?”
“Yes, all except your work calls. I even saw your texts. I love technology. Now, what are you fixing us for dinner?”
Yea, I’d like to order a side of sanity with that.
He waited. I slowly walked around the bar. I noticed the barricade holding the front door closed.
I grabbed the oatmeal. He hummed as he walked around, familiarizing himself with all of Conrad’s personal items.
I hoped Chastity had heard me. Did she believe Jason’s story? I thought positive thoughts and was rewarded when my cell phone rang. Jason grabbed it off of the couch where he had tossed it.
“It’s Chastity. She’s checking on my story. Will she be worried if you don’t answer?”
I stayed still, not offering any help.
“Answer it. But I’m warning you, say anything out of line and that slap will look like kiddie play.”
He handed me the phone. I quickly thought of what to say that wouldn’t get me slapped again.
“Hello, Chaz.”
“Hi, you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“I was just thinking about you. Whatcha doing?”
“I’m dandy, just putting up those red rain boots you sold me. I finally broke them in.”
“Huh, what rain boots?”
“I know, alert the media, I wore red boots.”