by Rowan Hanlon
She heard a soft moan to her left and jerked around to see Clifton. She recognized him from the barbeque they’d attended and she’d seen him in the offices of the magazine from time to time. He had a very firm gait, almost like he didn’t so much walk as he strutted. The man had a lot of swagger. He was a handsome guy and Kael had thought that whenever she saw him, noting that Celeste was one lucky bitch. But she wasn’t jealous because she thought her man was much more handsome than Clifton—and definitely more likeable. Clifton, more or less, seemed like a complete asshole, so he was the perfect match for Celeste, just like birds of a feather.
Clifton was bleeding all over the concrete floor and was also grunting with pain. He and Kael stared at each other and he seemed pleased that she was now lucid, even if he did appear slightly shocked at her appearance. Kael could tell he didn’t recognize her, but then again, she looked like absolute hell. She could tell that he felt sorry for her, at the way she looked.
“Who the hell are you?” he asked, not unpleasantly, then winced in pain.
“I’m the one who came here to apologize,” Kael said without any irony. She was beyond that.
“Is that right?” He nodded at her appearance. “What the hell happened to you?”
“I was prettier when I walked in here,” she snapped, already feeling the bad taste of bitterness. She couldn’t even bring herself to think about what a wreck her face and body was in. And her hair! Celeste had ruined her hair. She dreaded the first look into the mirror at it but knew she’d probably have to just shave it all and start over. Maybe she could start a trend. She almost cried, realizing how long it would take to get her pretty back. That is, if she ever got out of here. She forced that thought out of her mind, unable to confront what was probably the inevitable. At least she was out of that bathroom now. That was an improvement.
“I don’t know what to say,” he muttered, just staring at her, unable to take his eyes off her. “I mean, what do you say to someone who looks… The way you look? Can I drop you by the emergency room? That probably won’t get it. But you need one, maybe as badly as I do.”
Kael caught him staring and this infuriated her, about as much as his words. What an asshole! And all of this was mostly his fault. Celeste had taken her shit out on her instead of him. Of course, he did have two bullet wounds but good grief! “Your fucking wife did this to me!” Kael snapped and glowered at him.
“Don’t blame me,” he said. “I’ve had to put up with her for years.”
“Whatever,” she snapped and shook her head. “I’ve had to put up with her for years, too.”
“Oh,” he said as if that explained everything. “You’re the little bitch from the office.”
Kael rolled her eyes. So, Celeste talked about her to Clifton like she talked about Celeste to Nick. Well, that’s what men were for, right? She really didn’t like this bastard. “Yeah, I’m the little bitch from the office,” she replied. “And you’re her lousy husband.”
He raised one eyebrow.
“She knows about your hooker,” Kael told him. “Or should I say hookers? Dude, a piece of advice—get a burner phone.”
He groaned. “So that was why… I should have known something might happen. I told her to stop taking those fertility drugs but she wouldn’t. I think they made her crazy.”
“No, I just think she is crazy,” she said evenly.
“Well, you’ve been giving her hell at the office,” he retorted.
“Don’t blame this on me!” Kael snapped, really, really disliking this man. “Maybe she snapped because of all your philandering.”
“Hey, what else am I supposed to do?” he asked in frustration. “I’m a man and she wouldn’t let me touch her for years. I have needs!”
“Listen, I do not want to hear about your needs,” Kael said and shuddered.
“It’s true,” he said. “Ask any man. We have needs. Sex is biology. We have to do it.”
She stared at him, realizing he was the type of person who could always find an excuse for their bad behavior. In a way, she admired him for this. But she had to say, “Well, I think your needs got us into this situation.”
“No, I think it’s because of you,” he said. “She’s been really upset about you. Believe me. I’ve heard it all. You’re to blame.”
“How dare you try to blame this on me?” Kael screeched. “She’s your wife!”
“She’s your boss!” he snapped back.
If Kael had been able, she would have punched this guy in the face. However, she was too weak and suddenly distracted by the sound of a doorbell. Both she and Clifton looked up and listened as they heard Celeste’s footsteps hurrying across the floor. They turned to each other.
“Go get help,” Clifton told her.
“How?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Scream or something.”
“Why don’t you scream?” Kael hissed, shaking her head at his stupidity. “Screaming is the worst thing we could do. It might make her snap on the person at the door and then we’re all fucked. We need another plan of distraction.” She thought about it, looking around the basement. “Is there any way out of here? Is there a walkout?”
“Unfortunately, no,” he said. “This house was built way before basements were utilized as living space. All we have is the door at the top of the stairs and she’s locked it.” He stared at Kael, then looked towards a shelf. “Oh, there’s a window behind that shelf.”
Kael glanced at the shelf, considering it, then heard footsteps. She looked up again, wondering who was up there.
* * * * *
It was Liza. Celeste was not happy to see her, either. Liza’s facial expression told her that she knew this but, even so, she tried to smile at her. Celeste did not attempt to smile back.
“Oh, it’s you,” she said. “What is it now, Liza?”
Liza took a breath and said, “I am your friend and, as your friend, I have come to see if you’re okay.”
“Don’t I look okay?”
Liza eyed her, especially the blood-stained shirt. “What’s that?”
“I cut myself shaving,” Celeste snapped. “What do you want?”
Liza shook her head at her explanation and said, “Did Kael come by to see you?”
Without skipping a beat, Celeste hurriedly replied, “Kael? No. Why?”
“She said she wanted to apologize.”
Celeste eyed her. “For what? Oh, that. Nothing. It’s forgotten. Why don’t you just leave now and let me rest? I’m very tired.”
“Sure. I can do that.”
Liza was just turning to leave when they both heard a thunderous crash. She paused at the door and stared at Celeste who stared back, then they both looked towards the basement door, which was just down the hall, then back at each other.
“Rats,” Celeste told her. “We have rats. Those little fuckers are always getting into something.”
Liza slowly nodded then shook her head. “You did something to her, didn’t you?”
“Well, she had it coming,” Celeste replied.
“Oh, God, Celeste, why?” Liza said, exasperated. “Why would you do that? Why?”
Celeste had had enough. She mimicked Liza’s voice with a nasally tone, “Why, Celeste? Why?” She amped it up, getting in her face, “Celeste, can I do this? Celeste, can I do that? Celeste, can I possibly be more unstylish? God, I am so sick of you!”
Liza held up her hands. “I’ll just go now.”
Celeste shook her head. “I think we both know where you’re going, Liza.”
Liza’s eyes were as big as saucers as Celeste raised the gun and fired at her. She looked as though she felt a white-hot heat as the bullet shot into her face somewhere and she passed out, falling forward onto the glass foyer table, which she brought down with her as she fell to the floor with a loud crash.
* * * * *
Kael and Clifton heard the gun go off and the crash. Kael s
tared back at the shelf, which she’d inadvertently turned over trying to move it. But at least she could see the window and beyond it, her car, the black BMW she and Nick had purchased together last summer. She longed to get to that car and drive off.
“I think she just killed somebody,” Clifton said and shook his head in a panic. “Oh, God, she just killed someone. I wonder who?”
Kael shook her head. “How would I know?” She was starting to panic, as well. She climbed up on the shelf and tried to open the small window. However, it would not budge. She turned to Clifton. “Did you paint this shut?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “We changed out all the windows but I guess we overlooked that one. We put the shelf up to store stuff and… I don’t fucking know! I have to get to a hospital. Do you understand? I’ve been shot. Twice.”
“Okay,” Kael said. “Calm down. I’m trying to do something.” She looked around, realizing that there was nowhere to go. There was literally no way to get out of this basement but up the stairs and out the door at the top. She stared at the door. It was the only way out; it was that simple. “Fuck it,” she said. “Fuck it.”
She climbed down off the shelf, looked around and spotted a broom in the corner. That would have to be good enough. She might be able to beat Celeste off with it, if she could somehow get the door open. She grabbed the broom and headed up the stairs just as the door opened. She looked up to see Celeste who saw her, and her intentions, and shook her head.
“We are not finished, Kael!” Celeste snapped and pointed at her.
“I think we are,” Kael said and went after her with the broom. Celeste didn’t move but did hold the gun on Kael, who stopped short, breathing heavily.
“Celeste!” Clifton hollered.
Celeste glanced down at him. “Oh, you.”
However, her attention was diverted just enough for Kael to gain the upper hand. She grabbed Celeste’s arm and threw her down the stairs. Celeste did a somersault on the way down and landed at the foot with a thump, which appeared to knock her out. Kael took her opportunity and hustled up the stairs.
“Hey!” Clifton called, his voice taking on a very pitiful, exasperated tone. “What about me?”
“I’m getting the fuck out of here!” Kael hollered.
“But I’m bleeding to death!”
Kael stopped and turned to him, shaking her head. “I will call somebody. I can’t lift you. Sorry, but I can’t. You’re too big and I am in no shape to carry you.” She paused and thought about something. “How did Celeste get us down here?”
He shrugged. “Who knows? She apparently figured something out.”
“I guess you’re right,” Kael said and it let it go.
“Listen, I need you to help me, okay?” Clifton said and his eyes implored her as he begged, “Please. Please help me.”
Kael grunted and shook her head and started back down the stairs. All of a sudden, Celeste sat up, shaking her head.
“Here, I’ll help you,” she said and took a shot at him. She missed. “Damn.” She took another shot. Missed again. “So annoying.” She stared at the gun, then shook it. “I’ll get you in a minute, Clifton.”
“Celeste—” he started.
She aimed, fired and shot him in the head. She smiled as he fell over and turned to Kael. “Oh, I reloaded. I didn’t realize you had extra bullets in your purse.”
Kael felt shivers go up and down her spine. She wondered how many more bullets she had left. There couldn’t be that many, could there?
“I see you’re leaving,” Celeste said, standing up and smoothing her pants. “Don’t trip over Liza. She’s in the foyer.”
Kael’s eyes widened. She froze in a state of shock. Liza? Not Liza! She was one of the few people Kael actually liked at the magazine. And now she was dead because of this crazy bitch! She stared at Celeste as she walked up a few steps towards her.
“Do you honestly think you’re going to get out of here alive? I’ve already shot two people with this little gun. It does come in handy.” She imitated Kael’s Southern accent, “Tell your daddy thanks.”
Kael noticed the broom was still in her hand. Celeste was in close range. It might work. So, without thinking, she hauled back and cracked it against Celeste’s head. It snapped in two. From the force of the blow, Celeste turned on her heel and fell face-first onto the floor.
Clifton suddenly groaned, looking up, his eyes blinking heavily. He stared at Kael for a moment before passing out. Was he dead? How could he have survived that? Then Kael realized the bullet had probably just grazed his scalp but, combined with all the other bleeding he was doing, he was probably about to expire. That meant, if she were to help him—and herself and Liza—she had to get a move on. So, she hurriedly ran down the stairs, grabbed the gun out of Celeste’s hand and then raced back up the stairs. Just as her feet hit the landing, she noticed Liza lying on top of all of the broken glass. She came to a halt a few feet away, staring at the woman.
Oh, God. Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God! She had caused all of this. If only she’d kept her big mouth shut and just took it and went on with her life, none of this would have happened. It was all her fault and she didn’t know if she could live with that. But then, she shook her head. No. She would not take responsibility for Celeste’s crazy behavior. She was the victim, as were Clifton and Liza. Celeste was at fault. And she might be able to fix all this. Okay, girl, she told herself, get it together. Get out of here. Get help. Move your feet!
She started towards the front door, then noticed that Liza was lying right in front of it. She’d never be able to move her in her weakened state and, if she did, she might injure her. She’d had a first aid class and they’d told her to never move anyone, to let the paramedics do it instead.
“I’ll be back for you,” she told Liza, hoping and praying she wasn’t talking to a dead person, then took off through the first opening she saw. She was in the living room. She looked around, remembering that the back door was in the kitchen. She started to panic, realizing that Celeste might be up by now and coming for her. Her body shook with the panic and she started fidgeting, looking around the room. Where was the kitchen? Not in here. She took off, ran by Liza in the foyer then finally found herself in the kitchen, still searching for a door to the outside.
“Where is it?!” she yelled and finally noticed two huge sliding doors at the back, leading to the patio. She raced towards the door, tried to open it but it wouldn’t budge. It was locked. Oh. She flipped the lock back and the door slid open. Freedom! She limped out of the door and hurried across the patio, looking for a way out, then she stopped dead in her tracks and looked up. Celeste was standing at the window in what she presumed was one of the upstairs bedrooms, staring out into the backyard, obviously looking for Kael. Kael knew what she had to do in order to save herself and Clifton and, hopefully, Liza.
So, she raised the gun and pointed it at Celeste’s head. Before she fired, she yelled, “Glass houses, bitch!”
The gun went off. It hit the window right above Celeste’s head. Celeste flinched at the impact and looked up to stare at the hole, but she was unharmed and unfazed. And now she knew where Kael was. Kael’s mouth dropped as Celeste zeroed in on her.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Kael moaned. “Fuck!”
She turned and tried to find the gate to get to her car. After searching frantically for a few seconds, she finally found it and was about to open it when Celeste grabbed her by the shirt and pulled her back. The gun flew out of her hand.
“Oh, you don’t have to run, do you?” Celeste said, not unpleasantly. “I thought we could have a little chat. We could talk about your future at the magazine.”
She threw her to the side. Kael fell down and, using her hands and feet, began to amble backwards away from her. Celeste followed her, obviously loving what she was doing. Kael was almost at the pool. She glanced over her shoulder at it, at the covering and stopped.
“
Celeste, it’s time you got a grip,” Kael said.
“But I don’t wanna.” She gave a faux pout. “And why do you have to leave so soon? We were finding all these commonalities.”
“Why do you keep saying that? We’re nothing alike!”
“Are we not?”
Kael studied her and shivered with fright. She was nothing like Celeste, or at least she hoped she wasn’t. Celeste was still approaching her, but slowly. Kael watched her, waiting for an opening.
“See, what you don’t understand, Kael, is that there is a reason for the coldness, for the distance that you’re always yammering on about,” she said, shaking her head as if she were speaking to a very small child or an imbecile. “A person has to distance herself from the nobodies, lest people begin to think of you in that way. And we all know, you are a big nobody.”
“And how does that make us alike?” Kael asked, still somehow confused by the crazy lady’s logic.
“Because I was a nobody once, too. But unlike me, you’re never going to get to be a somebody.”
Kael got her meaning and felt even more frightened. God, she hoped she could pull this off.
“And you, this little nobody, keeps coming at me. I keep trying to sidestep you and overlook your evil little deeds, but you won’t let me.”
“Why don’t you just stop now?” Kael asked. “Why are you doing this? Why can’t you just let it go?”
“I’ll tell you why,” Celeste said, the anger making her voice rise. “Because you fucked with the wrong person. People are so dumb that they never know who they’re going to cross and who will come right back after them. Eventually, you will get it back. You keep fucking with people, someone is going to fuck back.” She paused and nodded knowingly. “They might call that Karma. Or fucking with the wrong person.”
Kael listened with rapt attention because she knew that if Celeste kept talking, she’d find an opening and, then, she saw it. Celeste came to a halt right in front of her. She grabbed her by the foot and with all the strength she could muster, lifted up and literally threw her into the pool. Celeste fell into it head first and through the covering.