Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 62543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“Robin?” I hear his voice before I see him, and already I know it’s John.
He stops in the doorway, his broad frame filling it, with nothing but denim jeans and a crisp white undershirt on although there’s a black smear, obviously a stain on the lower left side. His boots are already on and I find myself staring at them, my heart aching and my throat going dry.
“Are you alright?” he asks me with a lowered voice, looking down the hallway before placing his hand on the middle of the door and pushing it open a bit more. He looks worried, concerned for me and like he’s going to take me away. Like he thinks I want to sneak out.
There’s more stubble lining his jaw today than there was yesterday, and his eyes are red. He didn’t sleep.
“I didn’t sleep well,” I admit to him and avert my eyes as I pick at the hem of my thin nightgown. I wonder what John thinks of me. Of this. Of yesterday, or at least what he knows of it.
John runs his hand through his hair and looks back down the hall again. I can see the words on his lips, the promise to help. Asking me if I want to leave.
But I could never do that.
“When will you be back?” I ask him casually and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. I take a step closer to him and cross my arms over my chest.
“I won’t be long,” he says with uncertainty.
“I’ll be here when you get back,” I tell him confidently and feign a smile. I’m sure it doesn’t reach my eyes, but I don’t care. It does what it’s meant to. It gets him to leave without an attempt to take me away.
“I’m looking forward to our session,” I say and keep my voice hopeful as I keep his gaze.
A confused look mars John’s face as he leaves, Toby turning his massive head to follow him.
“I’ll be back soon,” he says looking over his shoulder and patting his hand on the doorway once, hesitating to take a step, but leaving me alone.
I nervously pick at my fingernails, remembering the camera, knowing that I have to go backward in time, back to what haunts me at night, back to what John doesn’t know.
Chapter 16
John
I don’t even remember work today. My hands moved on their own, the task at hand blurring with what was consuming my mind.
The thought of her in the house. Left with Jay.
I finished one order. The only one I had that would bring anyone to my shop at all.
For now, and for the time being, the shop is closed. And every waking moment will be spent in that house with Robin.
I’m not leaving her again.
The doorknob clicks as I sneak into 401 Cadence Square, slipping the pin I used to unlock it into my back jeans pocket. My blood rushes through my veins. I know this is illegal, technically breaking and entering and I look over my shoulder before closing the door behind me. I swallow hard and let out an uneasy breath as I look around the living room.
Residence to Miss Robin Everly. Or former residence, unbeknownst to the rest of the world.
I walk easily into the cozy space. It’s a small ranch house that’s fairly dated, but her furniture and décor are modern and mostly simple. It’s the pop of colors and textures that give it life. They seem odd knowing the bit of her she’s shown me.
There’s a professionalism about the room. Organization that seems more fit for a home design magazine, but the colors are cheery. Bright teal in the designs of the throw pillows and pale yellow stripes on the curtains and rugs. There are a scattering of teal flowers and motivational sayings like ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ on the pictures throughout the place.
As if she needs to be surrounded by something to keep out the stark and cold emptiness that would be left if those pieces were removed.
I ignore them for a moment, feeling my stomach churn at the thought of her being here instead of in the cabin. My phone is heavy in my hand as I watch the screen for a moment.
I have six cameras – not like the one Jay has set up in the basement. This way I can watch everything, at all times. He doesn’t know a thing about them, and he doesn’t need to. This is my insurance. I stare at the screen, watching how she sits across from the dog. She’s cross-legged and the dog’s laying down, but eyeing her curiously.
I wonder if Jay told her Toby is for emotional support. My fingers itched to touch her hand, to hold it while I let Toby approach her. Jay was right when he said she was damaged. He was right when he said she needed help.