Page 56 of Demons and Debts
‘Yeah,’ I say. ‘I’m sorry. I had to disappear, and my phone was dead. I couldn’t contact y …’
The line crackles. ‘Did you hear about Sarge?’
My stomach does a nasty flip. ‘What? No.’
‘He’s dead, Jane. They found him in the kitchen this morning with his eyes gone just like that other guy from the dumpster. Diner’s closed until further notice. No one's even seen Chuck in days. I don't know what to do. They’re saying it’s a serial killer. Those supe cops have been asking about you.’
She’s silent on the other end for a few seconds and when she talks again, she sounds scared. ‘I don't know what's happening. I feel like someone's watching me. I’ve felt it for a couple days and … I don’t know … I thought maybe I was just rattled, but then Steph came home from school this afternoon and said she thought she saw a car following her … I … I think I'm next. What am I going to do, Jane? What about my kids? The supe cops aren’t going to do shit to keep us safe.’
‘Do you still have that cash I left you?’ I ask, guilt and sadness washing over me.
I’ve put another person I care about in danger; kids who might lose their mom or worse because of me. And poor Sarge … Another friend taken because I didn’t leave like I was told.
‘Yeah.’
‘Use it. Take your kids and go to a motel outside of town under a different name. Stay there. I’ll call you soon.’
I end the call before my voice breaks. I feel like I'm going to throw up. I can't let them get anyone else. I have to go. If I go back to the diner and then leave from there, maybe they’ll see that I'm doing what they want, and they'll leave Shar and the kids alone.
Instilled with new purpose, I open the window and do a Jane, throwing my backpack down to the ground, but it's too high for me to climb out this way like I did at my apartment, so I close it again and head for the door.
I peek out into the hallway. There's no one around and I slink down the back steps to the kitchen, going slowly so no one notices me. But I realize pretty quick that there’s a giant issue with my plan. There are people everywhere. There’s Champagne, wine, beers,canapes. It's a full on, rich supe soiree. Maybe every party for the supes is like this but the point is, everyone’s dressed up and I … I look down at my jeans and oversized jacket that’s ripped down the pocket from the daring apartment escape this afternoon. I look like a hobo so I can’t even pretend I belong here.
All the doors are open and, conscious of curious glances I’m garnering, I make for the open doors that lead onto the deck. If I can get out into the darkness, head to the woods, I have a chance.
I get outside, and there’s practically no one out here. I think it’s a good thing, staying in the shadows as I move towards the steps that lead to the path that goes around the house, but there's a group of guys standing almost in my way. I don’t look at them, moving with purpose. Maybe they won’t even notice me.
‘Is that the new girl I heard about?’
I freeze in the dark, knowing he's talking about me.
‘Where are you going, Sweetheart?’
I move a little faster, and I’m so fucking close, but one of them bars my way. I duck under his arm, but he grabs my jacket, and I try to shrug it off, but can’t get my arms out of it before I’m surrounded.
I'm drawn by my hair into the light coming from the house, but not so close that anyone can see me. I shake free, slapping the hand away and I hear chuckles.
‘Relax, Girl. We just want to get a look at you.’
Someone takes my chin and forces my head up. I pull away, and I get a slap across the cheek that makes me cry out.
‘Behave, Whore,’ says a cold voice.
I lock my jaw and stare at the ground, wracking my brain for a plan to get away while at the same time wondering what’s going on lately. Why is everyone so fucking interested in little old me all of a sudden? It’s bullshit is what it is!
‘Take off her jacket. I want to see if she's got bigger tits than the other three.’
My jacket is ripped off me, leaving me gasping in just my tank top, trying to make myself as small as possible while still staying on my feet. My head is in a whirl. Someone's fingers skirt along my collarbone and I jerk away.
‘Don’t fucking touch me,’ I hiss.
Someone grabs me again and I don't think, letting my lizard brain take over. My teeth come down hard and I hear a yowl.
‘Bitch bit me!’
I'm shaking as I'm taken in a punishing grip by two of them, my arms twisted around behind me.
‘You need a lesson on where you stand, Human.’
