Page 63 of Sangre
The lights went out plunging the room in darkness.
Isla screamed.I’m going to die. The killer is here. I hear him. He’s coming closer. Oh!
Then a flood of illumination from the overhead lights.
“Miss Rose? Are you okay?” Scott asked, standing in the doorway.
Confusion flashed through her. “What?” she murmured.
“I heard you scream. I’m just making sure you’re okay. Why were the lights out?”
Her limbs turned to jelly. “I don’t know. I think someone was down here.”
“You’re the only one who came down. The circuit must’ve blown. We had some problems in the fitness area too. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I guess so.”
“Okay, then.” He turned around.
“Wait! Don’t go.” She swam to the pool steps. “I’m coming right out.” Isla pulled herself out and walked toward the dressing room. “I’ll just grab my stuff and walk out with you.” She dashed in, scooped up her clothes, and shrugged on her robe.
“I’m sorry if I disturbed you, Miss Rose. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”
“I’m glad you came down. Something spooked me, that’s all. Are you sure you didn’t happen to see anyone coming down to the pool area?” She followed him upstairs.
Holding the door open for her, he shook his head. “Yup, but now that I think of it, someone could’ve slipped past me. I was pretty busy and had to leave the desk for a few minutes to help with one of the machines that was acting up. Was someone bothering you?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I didn’t see anyone. It was just a feeling I guess.”
He smiled. “It can definitely be spooky when you’re the only one in the pool. Sometimes when I go down there to lock up, all the noises and echoes give me the creeps, but that’s just between you and me.”
She laughed. “Your secret is safe. I’m sure that’s all it was. I’ll bring the tickets for next week’s show when I come back in a couple of days to work out.”
“Do you want me to walk you to your car?”
“Thanks, but I’m parked right in front.” She pointed to a black Kia Soul, relief warming her when she saw Mark’s vehicle. “I’ll see you.”
The whole drive home, she kept checking her rearview mirror, making sure Mark was behind her. The more she thought about what happened, the surer she was that someone had been trying to scare her.I didn’t imagine shit.
After she pulled into the garage, she tapped in Mark’s number.
“Is there a problem?” he said.
“No, not really. I’m just feeling kind of spooked. Can you come in and do a safety check?”
“Stay in your car. I’m coming now.”
When she saw him enter the garage, she slid out of the car. Feeling foolish, she shook her head. “I know I’m being silly, but sometimes I just get nervous.”
“No reason to explain anything to me. I’ll make sure everything’s secured.” He went in and walked around the whole house while she stood in the foyer chewing the dry skin on her thumb. When he finished, he nodded at her then went out the front door. She watched him get into his car then she set the alarm. Isla went over to the wet bar and poured a double shot of vodka, downing it in one long gulp.
She glanced at her phone, the urge to talk to Sangre overwhelming, but he hadn’t texted her back. Not even one sentence—he was ghosting her. Isla put the phone away and plunked down on the couch. What had happened that night reminded her of the night that her car had conked out.This wacko is playing a cat and mouse game with me. What the hell does he want from me? When is the cat going to catch the mouse?
She shuddered at the thought as she wrapped her arms around herself.
That night, sleep would not come easily.
