Before I could tell Aidan about the door there was a sharp snap from the living room and I noticed the doorknob was gone, leaving splinters on the floor. The door slammed inward followed by a rough, male’s triumphant cry.
Racing into the bedroom before I could be spotted, I pointed to the bed and dropped to my belly.
The shrieking wind ceased as the front door shut and I could hear boots clomping in the next room.
“You can run, but you can’t hide,” came the husky voice from the living room.
Together, we slid under the box spring, shuffling to the middle before turning our faces to the archway. I half expected Aidan to grab my hand, but this time he didn’t. His hands clutched the carpet, his focus on the doorway.
The leathery creak of wet shoes and deep rasps in the living room was all we could hear. We should have run for the stairs while we had the chance, I thought.
I stopped fidgeting when two black combat boots stomped into view.
They paused in the threshold as I heard the man say between heavy breaths. “Come out, come out, wherever you are.” He sounded like a long time smoker.
The boots plodded toward the window and I heard the latch click back into place. He paused there, facing away from us. “You’re not out there,” he concluded, self-assured.
Rigid, I clasped my fingers together, digging nails into the back of my hands. Any second he’d poke his head under the bed and see us lying here like sitting ducks. Was he going to be deformed like the people from Aidan’s nightmare? Was he a cannibal? A ghoulish monster? My imagination was abruptly interrupted by his voice.
“Are you here?” The voice asked, but it was far away. Blinking, I peered around the bedroom to see he wasn’t with us anymore and breathed out.
Aidan and I were locked in place.
Until Boots went upstairs, I didn’t think either of us would budge. Even then where would we go? For all I knew Boots could have freakish hearing and find us the moment we shuffled.
“Alright, don’t worry. I’ll find you.” There was a crude snicker in the next room. “Actually, maybe you should worry, because I will find you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“Hey, Aidan,” said the man in a sing song voice. “Yeah, it’s me Aidan. You’ve gotta remember me. I was that kid you gave that little video camera to. We were pals, right? Gee, that camera sure did come in handy” There was the raspy snicker again. “So did that money I found in your backpack.”
Aidan tucked his arms closer to his body and didn’t respond to my glances.
Casually, the man kept talking as if Aidan and I were standing right in front of him. “Yeah, you know, it’s me, Jordan Peterson. Remember when you kissed the bathroom floor by the urinals on Valentine’s Day? Just so you know, that was totally piss. I know that weasel Jake tried to say otherwise. The whole thing was Mick’s idea; funny as Hell. You remember Mick, right?”
I prayed that he’d walk up the stairs, but he didn’t. He kept talking and pacing just outside of the room, taunting my patience in camo-pants and laced, combat boots. “Or the time we stuffed you in your gym locker? I heard the janitor found you hours after the school was closed.” He rumbled a gravelly chuckle before stepping back into view.
“Hey,” Jordan sounded like he was smiling. “From what I hear, you have a sweet little thing with you. I’m sure that she doesn’t want to be there with you. Just like Tracy Domo in the eighth grade. Though, you could have kept that one.”
Aidan winced as Jordan stepped farther into the bedroom again and I could smell the sharp sweetness of a cigar.
“Fuck, she was a terrible lay.” Jordan chortled.
In grade eight? I looked at Aidan but he hadn’t flinched.
Jordan wandered to the side of the bed where Aidan laid. He dropped to one knee and I realized we were done.
I scooted over and nudged Aidan to follow. We could get to the other side of the bed and maybe make a run for it. It was doubtful we’d make it but it was better than just sitting here.
A hand shot under the bed. It latched onto Aidan’s calf and yanked.
Aidan cried out as he was dragged away so fast that I barely had time to react. Clawing my hand out, I barely touched Aidan’s arm before it was ripped away. His piercing, wide-eyed gaze caught mine just before he disappeared and Jordan was back to his feet.
My breath was quick and panicked as I shuffled closer to the other side of the bed before a hand could snake around my ankle too.
I heard slaps and Aidan’s cries, then a massive thunk that shook the bed and Aidan groaned.
Slapping a hand on the bed, I used it to help me stand. Moving too fast made my head spin, but I had a barrier between myself and the two guys.
Jordan was tall with an ample amount of muscle in his arms, despite the beer gut. He had a dark buzz cut to go with the combat boots, camouflage pants and green wife-beater. I bet he had a collection of knives in his parents’ basement too.
Jordan was holding Aidan upside down by his ankles.
“Hey!” I cried, catching Jordan’s attention. I couldn’t see Aidan’s face; it was blocked by the bed.
Jordan looked up, revealing the numerous pale scars against the dark tan. Maybe he played with the knife collection, I concluded. It was either that, or enough knife fights to intimidate the crap out of me, and that was working.
“Hey, this must be your girlfriend.” Jordan shook Aidan’s ankle for attention.
“Let him go,” I shouted, more out of reflex than common sense.
Unconcerned, Jordan shook Aidan hard enough to make him gurgle and blow spit bubbles. It didn’t sound good and Aidan wasn’t struggling the way he should. Remembering the sound I’d heard, I hoped he wasn’t too out of it.
“Hey, darling, how about you come with me?” Jordan’s brown eyes met mine and he started to leer, but stopped. “Are you as dirty as you look, girl?” He even laughed at his own joke.
Awful.
My eyes flickered around the room for a weapon. The wax on the candles might be hot enough for a distraction, the holders looked flimsy and plastic, but the stone cross on the wall above the bed…
“I said, let him go,” I repeated, clutching the bottom of my camisole with one hand.
“Me? Let geek boy go? But, we have so much catching up to do. Look at who you’re hanging out with, sweetie.” He swung Aidan a little again. “He can’t defend himself, let alone a girl.”
He said girl as if I were a lower class. I’m not easily offended but that last part stung. If I were to face off against Jordan I’d probably lose but I didn’t plan on being unarmed—not if I could help it.
With slow, careful, movements I stepped up onto the bed. Bad side was, I was within arm’s reach of Jordan. Good side was, I was closer to the stone crucifix. One good swing with that against Jordan’s face might give us a head start, if Aidan were faking it. Please be faking it.
“Jordan, let him go.” I gritted my teeth, balancing so that my move would come as a surprise, I hoped. If he saw it coming he’d have us both. In that moment that I realized I really didn’t know what I was doing. Everything could go wrong.
Jordan raised his eyebrows. “A little hostile aren’t we, sweetie?”
Repressing a sneer, I asked, “Why won’t you let him go?”
“Because,” he said simply.
“Why not let him go?” I repeated as patiently as I could. I reminded myself that it would have been the same response my seven year old sister would give if she wanted to stalemate me and save her hide.
Jordan looked at me and smiled. “You’re a curious one.” He looked back down at Aidan. “Isn’t she, Aidan?”
Aidan moaned; the blood must have been rushing to his head. From my new angle I could see his face was scarlet.
“Can I have her?” Jordan chuckled, looking down at his victim.
My hand shot out, grabbing the stone cross. It was heavy and I dropped it behind my back as Jordan swung Aidan one more time.
I wasn’t close enough to attack, plus being higher meant he’d see it coming.
I needed a surprise—I needed to hide.
Jumping back off the bed, leaving the obstacle between us, I said, “Sure you can have me. But, you have to let Aidan go first.” I forced a smile. He was stronger than me, faster, and probably had plenty of nasty ideas in that thick head of his, but if the focus of the game was hide and seek, I’d find my opportunity. At least I hoped so. I sprang for the doorway, careful to keep the crucifix out of sight.
“You can’t carry him and catch me at the same time,” I shouted and raced from the other room.
Taking two steps at a time I scrambled up the staircase. I wasn’t as fast as I knew I could be. My body wasn’t allowing any more strain and by the time I reached the top I wanted to collapse.
Luckily, this new hallway wasn’t entirely shrouded in shadows, but the one on the left still was. It was similar to the previous Challenge.
My choices were simple: lose Jordan in the shadows or take my chances with the light and find a place to lock him in or hit him with something better than the stone.
Peering down the stairs, I saw Jordan skidding to a stop at the base. Aidan wasn’t with him, which worried me.
The second our eyes met, Jordan bolted after me.
Veering right, I saw three closed doors to choose from. I opened the second one and closed it behind me with a jerk just as I heard the heavy combat boots reach the top of the stairs. Or maybe that was my heart.
Spinning around, I faced a sitting room, much like the one downstairs, except it was classier. There were dark chairs and a velvety sofa surrounding a heavy black coffee-table. A bay window was framed by thick dark curtains that touched the floor and were wide enough to hide a person.
Scurrying to the maroon drapes, I swept them away from the wall before slipping behind. They fluttered back in place, settling around my body as I pressed my back against the wall. I prayed I didn’t make them look misshapen.
My knees buckled and I squeezed my eyes shut, begging my body to hold me up for just a little while longer. I strained to listen over the rain.
With brute force, Jordan burst through the door making me jump.
My cheeks puffed as my swear stopped cold.
“Hey baby, I’m here,” he gloated.
Holding my breath, I squeezed every muscle to be still. His combat boots squished with water against the carpet, drawing closer.
I barely heard him sigh over the thunder in my head.
I waited for the curtains to move violently to the side. If he found me, I’d be trapped. My hand readjusted on the crucifix at my side, slowly, carefully.
Outside the curtains, Jordan swore under his breath and I heard a jolting thump as a piece of furniture slammed against a wall. His heavy footsteps began to fade, but he didn’t close the door behind him. I wondered if I was going to get off that easily.
I waited, my fingers restless and wiggling until I heard another door open with a bang. “Where are you, sweetie?” He roared in filthy delight.
I peeked out from my hiding spot. Jordan was nowhere to be seen.
Creeping from the drapes, I tip-toed to the open door. Was he out there waiting to pounce like a wildcat? The idea would have been comical if it were anyone but Scar-Face.
Silence haunted the hallway and I poked my head out. I could hear those boots squeaking in the first room I had passed.
“Come on, little girl,” Jordan snapped from Room One, his patience wavering.
Unexpectedly, I saw his boot thump out of Room One.
Flinging myself back into Room Two before I could be seen, I pushed my back up against the wall trying to sink into it. I tried my best not to fidget as the heavy footsteps came closer, echoing in the hall. My heart outpaced his steps five to one and I shied away from the threshold. Watching the door, I wished it had a lock on it.
Tugging at my shirt, I saw one of the chairs shoved to the wall. It must have been what he had pushed on his way out. I could hide behind that for a while, but if he came within a few feet, he’d see me.
As I decided what to do, Jordan passed my room.
Peeking along the wall, I saw his camouflage pants as he stalked in the direction of Room Three. The door flung open and he laughed. “Don’t be afraid, girl. I won’t hurt you…much. You might even like it.” With that he erupted in loutish hee-hawing that propelled me into the hallway.
I glanced at Room Three and noticed the edge of the black door. It was wide open and I knew Jordan was inside by the sound of his voice. He was uttering chiding nonsense. All the other doors were white, except for door three. Creeping forward to get a better look, I tried to hasten my steps. As I drew closer, I could make out a carving of what looked like a plume of smoke or a cloud.
It was our door all right.
I could just run through it, alone, but the idea of going through a Challenge without Aidan made my stomach turn. As much as I wanted to save myself, I couldn’t leave him behind on purpose. He could be hurt downstairs.
Dancing on tip toes, I made my decision and darted away from the black door. Keeping my footsteps light and noiseless in my sneakers, I shuffled down the stairs, hoping that a step wouldn’t creak under my weight.
Above, I could hear Jordan’s distant shouts as I rushed into the bedroom where Aidan was floundering to climb to his feet.
Blood trailed down his face, from a gash in his forehead, staining the bedspread. Wiping at his face, he smeared the crimson across his temple and cheek and sniffled. Looking to his hand he stared at the bright red as if it were bright green instead.
Hurrying to his side, I put his arm around my neck and helped him to his feet, leading him to the doorway. My legs screamed a protest and each step was agony with his weight leaning against me. I wrapped an arm around Aidan’s waist, pressing the crucifix to his side.
Aidan attempted to lift his own weight, fresh blood accompanying the streaks down his face.
“Come on Aidan,” I whispered, “we have to get out of here.”
Aidan made a feeble noise, he was trying to move his legs faster but it didn’t help much and I couldn’t just carry him out of the bedroom.
We fumbled to reach the stairs when Aidan breathed in sharp.
My head snapped up to see Jordan at the top of the steps, brown eyes blazing. His bulk filled the entire passageway.
A shot of fear punched my guts and I almost dropped Aidan.
Jordan reached into his back pocket and produced, with the snap of his wrist, a hefty switch-blade.
Gesturing at me with the knife he started to plod down the stairs. “Found you. The game’s over, sweetie,” he said. “You’re mine now.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
I glanced at Aidan. We could try and run to the front door and into the storm, but I didn’t think we’d make it. Our black door was up those steps past the bully and I was certain he was going to make it difficult.
Aidan squinted at me before closing his eyes.
“Stay awake,” I said.
His head bobbed in what could have been a nod before he whispered, his voice barely audible, “You can’t carry me.”
At first I thought against it, but the way my thighs trembled I knew it would be easier to save my strength for the fight. What little strength I had anyway.
In the process of setting Aidan on the floor, I collapsed with him. I wanted to give up, I realized. I wanted the weakness and hounding consternation to end and never be felt again. I wanted to be warm and safe in my bed and know that my family and friends were safe. How could I have taken those things for granted? Sitting on the floor, I felt the shag carpet against my legs. What could I do? I thought despairingly.
Jordan’s clunky boots descending the stairs pinched me from my daze. Looking up, my stomach dropped upon seeing the triumphant smile on his scarred face. He stopped at the landing, looking down at us like he’d won, the handle of his hunting knife turning in his anxious hand.
No, a voice urged in my head. You can’t give up to his guy. What about Robin, Phoebe, Read, and Cody? What about Aidan?
Turning to Aidan, his face was drawn tight and pale. I couldn’t just give up. There had to be some escape. Renewed with a sense of defiance I asked. “Why are you doing this?” I gripped the stone in my hand tighter though I wasn’t sure how effective I’d be at wielding it. Jordan had a knife and I had a bloodied college guy.
Jordan smiled. “The little dork didn’t tell you?” He asked.
I think my brain sloshed when I shook my head and I winced.
“Well, I guess that that would be understandable,” Jordan glanced between us. “I wouldn’t admit I was a loser like him either.”
“Oh?” I asked feigning interest. I inched back on my knees, gauging a proper swing.
“Have you ever wondered why Aidan came to Leland? Of all the places he’d been before, he chose some small city to go to college? That doesn’t seem a little fucked up?” Jordan cocked his head to the side.
I swallowed hard. “His family moved around a lot. It’s also none of my business.” I scooted back until my ankles were level with Aidan’s hip.
“Yeah,” Jordan snorted. “I forgot you two aren’t supposed to like each other. Sometimes, an inheritance can call to a person.”
I shook my head. “You’re talking gibberish,” I said and glanced at Aidan. He wasn’t moving, sending an alarm.
Leaning forward to take Aidan’s hand, I squeezed, waiting for him to oblige me with a response. He didn’t.
Jordan’s gravelly voice cut through what self-control I had left. “I met Aidan when we were in junior high. He made the mistake of insulting me in front of Mariah Fields, of all people.”
Keep stalling, a voice inside my head urged, though the other part wanted to panic. Every instinct said to run and hide, tugging at me with ghostly finger. Instead, I stalled. “Who’s Mariah Fields?”
Jordan snapped a harsh laugh and paused in his descent. “She was this girl I tried asking out but Aidan got in the way.”
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