Ozzy sing-songs my name like it’s a horror film, and more tears coat my face. “I’m not trying to hurt you, Joselyn. I just want to talk.”
He slaps the doors open, one by one, and I squeeze my eyes shut, praying to God and the saints, and the Fireside ladies to help me.
“Have you ever watched a house cat play with a mouse?” Slam! He pushes another door open, slowly moving down the row. “House cat’s not hungry. He doesn’t want to deal with all that fur and blood and guts…” Slam! Another door… “He plays with it until it stops fighting back. Then he gives it a warning…” Slam! He’s one door away from… “Sometimes the warning is a little too rough, and the mouse dies. Either way, the mouse gets the message. Tell me, Joselyn, are you getting the message?”
Clink… He’s at the door I locked, and my eyes squeeze shut. “Did you really think a flimsy little lock would keep me out?”
At the first Boom! of his boot striking particleboard, I step down from the toilet, sliding the lock slowly open.
Another Boom! and my lips squeeze shut against a scream. As soon as he breaks through that wrong door, I plan to run as hard as I can for the exit.
It’s my only hope of escaping.
It’s got to work.
My fingers grip the handle for his last kick when Woosh!
The toilet behind me automatically flushes.
I jerk the door open and our eyes meet. His glitter with satisfaction, but I swing my bag of massage oils, warming saucer, and rocks with all my might, aiming for his head as I run directly at him.
He’s taken aback that I’m running at him, and the bag strikes his temple, throwing him to the ground. On the way down, he grabs my leg, and I go down, too, striking my cheek against the stall divider.
Light explodes behind my eyes, and I roll onto my back with a moan.
Ozzy pushes off the floor. “Look what you made me do.”
The sound of his voice spikes adrenaline in my veins, and I shake off my disorientation. I’m on my feet again, snatching up my bag and running at top speed for the exit.
Sticky blood is on my cheek, but I don’t stop running. I’m in the marble foyer, and I see the sign for the stairs.
Bursting through the doors, I run around and around, gasping for air, exhaling little cries of fear, flying as fast as I can down all twenty-two floors to the bottom. I slam the metal crash doors open and don’t even pause for the security guard. I’m in the parking lot, in Betsy, screeching away towards the apartment.
We can’t stay there tonight.
Chapter 22
Spencer
Rocking back in my chair, I tap my finger against my desktop waiting for Joselyn to appear. It’s Monday morning, and after our encounter Friday night, I didn’t expect her to be late. She’s very law-abiding these days.
On Friday, it took all my willpower to hold back from kissing her. Her reaction to seeing me having dinner with Heather was quite satisfying. What am I going to do with this woman—and Heather with the nonstop jokes.
Heather actually texted me, Some people are worth melting for, which apparently is from a children’s movie. I didn’t reply.
At last, my door opens, and Joselyn breezes in, rolling her chair. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic this morning was crazy, and it took me a little longer to get out the door…”
She’s wearing dark sunglasses and too much makeup, but she can’t hide the large purple bruise and cut held together with a butterfly bandage across her cheek.
“What the hell?” I’m out of my chair, crossing the room. “What happened to your face?”
“It’s nothing. I’m fine.” She waves her hand, but I lightly place my fingers on her chin, tilting her head to the side and doing my best not to hurt her.
“How did this happen?”
“I just… fell.”
She turns away quickly, pressing her lips together. I notice a tremor in her voice, and my stomach knots all the way up to my throat. She’s hiding something, and I have a sneaking suspicion I know what it is. All I can think of is hoodie guy disappearing around the corner outside her apartment complex on Friday.
I should never have left her there alone.
“What made you fall?” My voice is low, icy calm.
“Spencer…” It’s a breathy retort, and she waves as if she’ll brush aside my concern. “It’s nothing for you to worry about. I’ve got it