“Run!” Ben screamed, turning around and pulling Illea and myself with him.
We ran down the stairs as fast as we could, not stopping to look behind us. When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Geoffrey was already there, pointing toward the kitchen.
“This way,” he said. “I found a door that leads into a tunnel back here.”
“A door? A tunnel?” Ben asked. “Where’d those come from?”
“Who cares? At least it’s a way out of here,” Geoffrey answered him with in a casual tone that did not fit the circumstances.
“Is everybody safe?” Ben shouted.
Illea and I alone answered him.
“Ricky? You okay?” he asked as he ran.
There was no answer. For the first time, we slowed down long enough to look back to the top of the stairs where we’d been standing. Still in that same spot, in the grips of the insect creature the Sisters had become, stood Ricky. As the creature cooed and moaned, the blood began to run freely down Ricky’s body.
“Ricky! No! Ricky!” Illea screamed as she made a start to go back.
Ben grabbed her by the arm before she could, saying, “He’s lost, Illea! Leave him. You can’t help him now! You have to save yourself!”
We ran toward the kitchen, Ben dragging Illea, where Geoffrey stood by an open door.
“This is screwy. That door wasn’t there just a few minutes ago!” screamed Ben.
“Well, it is now. Let’s go!” Geoffrey ordered.
“I don’t trust it,” I said.
“Look, it’s the only chance we’ve got!” yelled Ben. “Let’s go!”
We ran through the door, slamming it shut behind us, into the tunnel. No sooner had the door shut than a dark cloud of fog enveloped us, surrounding us on all sides. Even though Ben had been holding my arm, his hand once again disappeared completely. Slowly now, blindly, I walked with my arms outstretched, not as sure as I had been the last time when we were separated at the tomb. I called out to the others, but there was no answer. Alone now, I felt my way around as I stepped forward with caution, touching the ground to make sure that it was there before putting my weight down. I had no idea where I was going, if I was going in the right direction or if there even there was a right direction. But the knowledge that I’d start to panic if I didn’t keep moving kept me going. For awhile, the ground was even with no surprises but suddenly, after walking for awhile, I stopped, afraid to take one more step. I stayed put, not knowing if any ground existed except for the patch upon which I was standing. Then it, too, disappeared. The thought had just enough time to sink in when gravity took over and I began to fall.
CHAPTER FORTY
The surface upon which I landed was thankfully soft, but no sooner had I stopped falling than I became enveloped by the now ubiquitous fog, which rapidly developed into a thick blanket that constricted my every movement like a mushy cage. The fog then turned gummy, a substance against which the more I fought, the more tightly I was trapped. I could not break free of this force that now engulfed me to the point of paralysis.
I tried to scream, but my screams were muffled, as if I were screaming underwater. After struggling for some time, I broke free of my bonds and my screams became piercing. As soon as I was able to become calm again, I opened my eyes, only to find that I was in a darkened room, lying in bed in my own nightgown, drenched with sweat.
Sitting up in bed, I realized that I was back at the apartment in New Orleans. I felt disoriented. With a start, I realized that I was not alone, for I heard people whispering in the other room. My first instinct was to call out for Ben and Illea, but thought the better of it, for I didn’t know who would answer. I was pretty sure that it wasn’t the creatures, at least, because the whispering seemed to involve a conversation more complex than “help me”.
I had to wonder, though, who were these whispering people and what were they doing here? If I wasn’t going to draw undue attention to myself, I needed to get out of bed and see for myself. However, before I could even throw off the covers, an older woman appeared in the doorway. Rochere. It was Rochere, in the guise in which she had appeared when I first met her. I did not get up.
“Why, hello, honey,” she said sweetly from the doorway. “I’m so glad that you’re finally awake.”
Rochere then turned her attention to the other room.
“It’s okay, sugar. She’s awake,” she said to the mysterious other person. “She seems fine now. No need to call 911.”
To me, she said from the doorway, “You had us quite worried there for a while, Miss Adams. We were on the verge of calling an ambulance, but apparently, your fever finally broke.”
When I had no response, she continued, so cool that butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, “Miss Adams, do you remember me? I’m Miss Rochere, the landlady of this apartment. We met when you came into town. You got the keys from me.”
“I remember you,” I said bluntly.
“Good. That’s a very good sign indeed,” she said sweetly, but I wasn’t buying it. “We were so worried about you, my dear. The maid came in to clean and she found you in bed, sweating bullets and running a high fever. She said you seemed to be delirious. Why, we were just about to call the ambulance to take you to the hospital when your fever broke.
“You know, I had a feeling that something was wrong with you when you were in my office. It’s why I didn’t want to let you go too soon. If only I’d have known that you were as sick as you were, I’d have kept you there a little longer and then we could have gotten you straight to the hospital.”
“I’m fine now,” I answered, even more bluntly. What kind of con game was Rochere trying to pull this time?
“Oh, Ashley,” she said. “I hope you’re up to meeting my nephew. I absolutely must get back to the office now. He can keep an eye on you to see if you’ll feel good enough to be left alone.”
“Your nephew?” I asked.
“Why yes, dear. You saw him at my office yesterday. You were going out while he was coming in. You don’t remember him? I’m sure that’s just because you were feeling so unwell. He’s here now because he was at my office when the maid came by to tell us how ill you were.”
“The maid,” I said. “You mean Brenda?”
“Why no, dearie,” Rochere smiled. “Her name’s Judy. Where on earth did you get Brenda?”
“She told me herself that her name was Brenda,” I said, losing my patience with this new charade. “Do you think she lied about her name? I sure don’t.”
“Why, hon, we don’t even have a Brenda working for us. Never have had, either. My goodness, you must have had a ‘fever dream’ while you were out. Goodness only knows that your temperature was high enough to make you hallucinate. Anyway, my nephew is right outside in the other room. He’s been very worried about you. Are you up to meeting him so that I can get back to the office? I mean, do you feel decent enough for him to stick his head in the door and say ‘hi’?”
“Sure,” I said, recognizing that none of this was real. “I’ll just pull my covers up to cover my nightgown.” I’d play along and humor her. I wondered whom she’d cough up to pose as her “nephew” anyway.
“Sweetie,” she said to the person in the other room. “It’s okay for you to come in now. Ashley’s staying under the covers cause she’s in her nightie, but you can stick you head in the door and say ‘hi’ and introduce yourself anyway. I know I can leave you two alone together and that you’ll be a good boy once I’m gone. Sorry I can’t stay, but I’ve got to get back to the office now and tend to some important business.”
A moment later, a head popped in the doorway and my mouth popped open. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was Edmond.
“Hi!” he said shyly, waving. “Nice to meet you. Listen, you’re not dressed yet, so I’ll just wait outside here.”
“B-be there in a minute,” I said, rattled, stumbling over my words. “I’ll get dressed.”
What the hell was Edmond doing here with, o
f all people, Rochere? I jumped out of bed, closed the bedroom door and pulled some clothing out of my open suitcase. Surprisingly, the jeans and shirt I pulled out were the right size, fitting as if I’d just bought them today. I ran a brush through my hair, threw on my socks and shoes and ran out into the living area. On the way there, I checked for the necklace, which was still sitting comfortably at my neck.
“Well, Sweetie,” Rochere said to Edmond, as she stood by the front door. “Since Ashley’s up and dressed now, I guess I can leave the two of you alone now.”
“Honestly, hon,” she said to me, “If business wasn’t so urgent back at the office, I’d be able to stay a little bit longer, but I trust my Edmond here to take good care of you. Now, if you need anything, like some medicine from the drug store or something to eat, don’t you hesitate to send him out for it.”
She then kissed him on the cheek, and said goodbye, leaving us alone together in the apartment.
“Edmond,” I demanded of him as soon as I heard the outer gate close. “What the hell is going on here?”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“You know what I mean. What’re you doing with Rochere?”
“She’s my aunt. I know she told you that because I heard her. Listen, are you sure you’re feeling all right? Maybe you should go back to bed and finish recuperating.”
As I stood there, looking at Edmond, the man of my dreams, I was speechless. Why on earth was he consorting with Rochere? Something was definitely wrong here.
“I’m feeling just fine,” I answered.
“I’m not so sure about that,” he said. “Do you mind if I stick around here for a little while, just to make sure that you’re really okay? I mean, you sure were awfully sick there.”
“No, I don’t mind. Stick around,” I acquiesced, realizing that I needed to go along with him for a little while longer to find out the point of this particular scenario. “It’s fine by me.”
I realized, of course, that this was just another of Rochere’s well-oiled illusions. However, I had to admit that, so far, it was much, much more pleasant than the previous three had been. I’d let this Edmond wannabe stick around a tad longer, for I could definitely do with picking up a little rest at the moment. The other ordeals had been terribly rough and I needed some time to regroup.
“When my aunt and I first walked in,” he explained, “you were burning up. I’m so glad your fever broke. And now, here you are, up and about. I can’t believe how fast you’re recovering now that you’re no longer feverish,” he continued.
“Guess I’m a quick healer,” I said, choosing that response over the “it helps that none of this is real” reply.
Despite my suspicion of the situation, I found myself unavoidably drawn to this Edmond, for just looking at him made my heart flutter. I could tell that his reaction to me was just as strong when he broke my stare in favor of looking down at his hands. When my eyes followed his, I saw that he was trembling visibly.
“My aunt said you looked a little green around the gills in her office yesterday,” he said, his voice trembling now almost as much as his hands. “I guess that maybe you caught a bug on the airplane, huh.”
“I suppose.”
“You know, Ashley,” he continued looking at his hands as he said this, “I’m more than a little embarrassed to admit this, but I’ve been dreaming about you lately, even before I ever saw you. It was a bit of a shock to find out that you were real.”
Oh, nice touch, Rochere, I thought. There’s nothing like keeping it close to the truth, is there?
“In fact,” he continued, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you ever since I saw you in my aunt’s office yesterday. You made quite an impression on me.”
I could think of a few retorts to throw his way, but no matter how much my mind saw through this charade, my body refused to listen. After what I’d been through after entering that last door, I had to admit that Edmond, or at least this version of him, was very easy on the eyes. Damn, why did he have to he look so good? Expensively dressed in a white linen suit, his long curls pulled back into a low ponytail, he was all I had ever imagined. As real as my dreams had seemed, this added an extra dimension to the experience, this felt even more real. My body betrayed me as my pulse began to race and my breath began to quicken. My mind tried to resist, but even though I tried hard to ignore it, I couldn’t help but notice how his musculature revealed itself even under the white suit or how his perfect white teeth contrasted against his tanned skin when he smiled. When he spoke, his voice was like silk, a dark, rich chocolate silk that wrapped itself around me, simultaneously soothing and arousing me against my will. If anything, he was even more gorgeous than he was when I’d seen him in my dreams. Despite myself, lovely, steamy images began to flow into my head. It was my turn now to find it hard to make eye contact, lest my eyes betray the desire I felt for him. In truth, I would have found him completely intimidating had I at all thought he was real. Of all of Rochere’s torments, I’d have to say this was the one that I found the least objectionable.
“Oh, really?” was all I offered. “That’s interesting.”
“Have you been dreaming of me, too?” he asked, a little too eager. “Something tells me that you have been.”
He then stepped forward until he was standing far too close to me. Furtively, I looked up, studying his face, the aquiline nose, the bold cheekbones and the full lips with which I’d become of late so familiar. Then my eyes met his beautiful, rich, gold and brown ones and while there was so much feeling within them, they still betrayed him. I did not recognize them.
I tried to step away, but this Edmond reached out, wrapped his arms around me and leaned in to kiss me. Too eager was his kiss, too urgent, too longing, too lacking practice. I found myself repulsed by it. I tried to pull away, but he would not let me. I turned my head away from the kiss and was finally able to push myself free of this Edmond, disentangling myself from his arms.
“What is it?” he asked, sounding quite hurt. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” I lied. “Nothing at all. This is just going a little too fast for me.”
If ever I was sure that this wasn’t really Edmond, that kiss had just confirmed it. Sheepishly, turned my face up to him while trying to avoid eye contact without being too obvious.
“Was it that bad?” he asked, obviously hurt.
“Oh, no, it wasn’t that at all,” I said. It wasn’t really a lie because the real reason the kiss was so wrong was simply because he was an imposter and not my Edmond. “I wasn’t expecting it,” I continued, which was partially true. “It was just too sudden.”
Pain and disappointment registered in Edmond’s eyes, along with something I was not expecting – fear.
“I can do better,” he begged. “Please give me another chance. I won’t disappoint you the next time.”
Still trying to avoid contact with his pleading eyes, I said, “That’s okay, Edmond. Like I said, it was just a case of too much, too soon. Besides, I still feel a little ill.”
“So do I have a chance at another shot with you?” he asked, with a surprising hint of panic.
“Maybe,” I answered, trying to put him off with some politeness.
The atmosphere suddenly became as awkward as the morning after a one-night stand. Everything felt wrong. When I looked at him now, he seemed far less handsome and much more like a flavor-of-the-month motivational speaker than he did my Edmond.
“Edmond,” I said to break the tension. “Like I said, I think that I’m just not feeling up to this just yet. After all, I’ve just gotten over a fever and I think I’m starting to feel a little woozy again. I think I need to go for a walk and get some fresh air.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to rush you with that kiss, but I don’t think that going out alone is such a good idea right now. Here, let me go with you.”
“I’ll be alright by myself,” I told him. “I just really need some fresh a
ir and I think that being alone will help me to clear my head.”
“Fine,” he answered, his tone changing in an instant. “But I must insist that you leave the necklace behind.”
“Excuse me?” I responded.
“You heard me. That necklace you’re wearing. It isn’t yours.”
“The hell it’s not.” Rather than threatened or afraid, I was now insulted by this latest lame attempt to retrieve the amulet necklace.
“No, really. I insist you leave it behind. It belongs to my family. I really don’t mind your wearing it, but I’d prefer you didn’t go outside of this property with it. If you want to wear it, I’ll accompany you on your walk, but I must insist that you take it off if you’re adamant about going out alone. If you attempt to leave here with it, I’ll have to consider it stolen. I’ll call the police and press charges.”
“I guess you’ll just have to do that, then,” I told him, calling his bluff. By the look in his eyes, he was more afraid than I was.
“Don’t leave. I’m warning you.”
“Sorry, Edmond,” I said, actually feeling bad for him. “But I have to go now and I’m afraid that you can’t stop me.”
I turned away from him and walked out of the apartment. As I got to the gate, Edmond, who had followed me out, yelled after me and demanded, “The necklace, Ashley. Leave it here.”
As I opened the gate to leave the property, he said, “If you walk out that gate with that necklace on, I swear I’m calling the police. And I will see to it that you will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. My family has money and influence in this city. Trust me, Ashley, you do not want any of that.”
“I’ve never wanted any of this. I’m sorry, Edmond. I have to do this.”
“Ashley, don’t leave.” he said.
As I walked out of the gate and onto the street, I realized I was leaving the best of the nightmares behind me and that greater evil was still lying ahead.
The Nightmare Game Page 57