Chapter 17
Tuesday 10:26 p.m.
After the third round, I put on my jacket and get ready to leave.
“You’re leaving already?” asks Kevin.
“Yeah, this is more than enough for me.” I point to the empty beer mugs and try to smile, but I’m sure what comes out doesn’t sound how I planned it. “I think I’ll walk home. Get some fresh air.”
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” asks Miyako.
“Of course! Of course! You guys stay, have one more round for my awesome blockers.”
“We will definitely do that.” Frank nods, then looks at Miyako. “In fact, we will probably celebrate that particular point several more times.”
Miyako smiles back.
“Don’t get wasted!” I say, but I realize I’m there already. My tongue is a bit slow, a second or two behind my thoughts, and I feel like I need to unglue my eyelids after every blink. “You still need to work tomorrow,” I manage to mumble.
“Jane, should I call a taxi for you?” asks Miyako.
I shake my head and regret it instantly. “No. Walking will do me good. I’m only a few blocks away, anyway.” I stand up extremely cautiously, which makes them all laugh, and then turn around, waving my arm.
“Bye,” shouts Miyako over the music. “Call me once you’re home.”
My arm is still in the air so I give her a thumbs-up as my answer while I head for the exit.
“Hey babe!” Some guy grabs my arm and I instinctively pull it away, then look in his direction. It’s the same man who was staring at me earlier, wearing the same sly grin on his face.
“It’s too early to leave, babe. Why don’t you stay a bit longer?”
This sobers me up quite a bit. “No. Thank you.” I continue walking, but the guy stands up and stops me by holding my elbow.
“It’s my treat!”
I pull my arm away. “No! Leave me alone!”
“Suit yourself.” And he sits down.
I breathe out heavily. Then I shiver from my head to my toes.
Creepy . . .
Maybe I should stay with the others, then have someone walk back with me?
I turn around and glance at the table. Frank has everyone’s attention. He appears to be telling a joke. Then he slaps his hand on the table and they all burst out laughing.
Nah! It’ll be fine.
I turn back and head for the door. Two people just entered and the cold air sweeps into the bar. I raise the collar of my coat and walk out.
The air is cold and crisp and it calms me down. I have a feeling the oxygen instantly dilutes the alcohol in my blood. I look up to the dark winter sky. It’s black and starless, although the sky is clear.
From my Aunt Sue’s farm, I could see millions of stars at night. But that’s because Pine Creek is in the middle of nowhere. Half a dozen horses, a flock of sheep and a vast empty space.
Those were the days.
I look down to the street again, checking for traffic, then cross it as I put my cap on and push my hands inside my pockets. I squeeze between two parked cars, then step onto the pavement and continue on my way.
My eyes are glued to the pavement, and I am deep in my thoughts again, thinking of the Crazy Gro experiments, but a few people are walking behind me, loud and chatty, distracting me from my thoughts. I frown, looking up the street to see where I am.
I’ll take a side street to walk home. It’s quieter.
I turn left on the next street.
The group continues up the main road and the noise subsides.
I get back to my thoughts, trying to focus on my next research steps. I’m gazing at the bricks of the buildings, and in this dim light, they look dark blue.
And unmistakably, my next thought is of enchantingly beautiful blue eyes.
Sam.
Distracting me once again.
I sigh, but smile within. What am I going to do? I can’t even focus on my work anymore.
I come to another street and check left and right for traffic. It’s deserted and empty, so I cross it, my eyes on the ground, looking at the pavement plastered with chewing gums.
Just then, I hear something behind me.
I turn around and see the silhouette of two men walking in my direction.
I turn to the front and continue walking.
Jane, nothing to worry about. This has nothing to do with you.
I look back again.
One of the men is smoking, and the burning cinder brightens the contours of his face as he breathes in through a cigarette.
Or maybe it does.
It’s the same guy from the bar—the one who pulled me by my elbow.
Oh, this is not good!
They are not talking, but I can hear them picking up their pace.
My heartbeat accelerates and my palms start sweating. I want to run, but I don’t. Instead, I lengthen my steps to speed up.
For a moment I don’t hear them, but I turn again and realize they are much closer than before. And they are still not talking.
I hate that. It seems so predatory.
I look up the street, trying to see if I can turn onto the main street again, but this stretch is long, and then the next cross street is my own. And I don’t want to lead them to my apartment.
My heart is now wild under my rib cage. And I hate that as well.
I know the theory. It’s adrenaline. Fight or flight.
But right now, it’s very distracting, and it prevents me from making a wise decision.
So I run.
And I hear the two men start to run as well.
Oh, crap!
They’ll be faster than me.
Oh, no! No, no, no!
I look up the street. Windows. Doors. Parked cars.
All dark. All empty.
Isn’t anyone there?
Anyone?
I hear them.
They are only a few feet away.
I don’t want to turn. I just run.
I clench my fists as I run and I brace myself to scream as soon as they lay their hands on me.
And then—the sound!
A skidding, then a smashing noise and a loud gasp, then a cracking, followed by another thud.
I keep running, but very soon I realize my steps are the only ones I’m hearing.
I look back, still running.
And—the street is empty.
I stop and turn around. Dim light, dark blue walls, and silence.
My heartbeat is still loud in my ears, my muscles ready to engage at a moment’s notice. But there’s no one there.
Did I imagine it? Was this because of the alcohol?
No, it can’t be. I feel completely sober now.
I turn back and walk slowly to my street, turning around every few feet to check that I’m not being followed.
As soon as I reach Buswell, I check behind me one more time, making sure no one is there, then turn left to my building. My heart is still drumming, but I finally breathe out completely, realizing I’ve kept my lungs full of air, breathing only shallowly for the last several minutes.
I reach the entrance and walk up the stairs, taking off my gloves so I can find the keys, but then—I hear a sound behind me.
Someone’s there.
And I turn.