40

I flung myself sideways, scrambled out of the opening to my right and made a grab for the bed.

Knotting my fingers in the pleated throw, I leaned out and stared towards the hallway.

No sign of Donovan.

Sweat poured down my forehead, stinging my eyes. I felt hot and shivery at the same time.

My reflection stared back at me from the full-length mirror opposite. It was as if I was staring at the victim of a sudden road accident. I looked stunned and dazed.

Then I glanced down at my arm and saw the needle mark inside my elbow again, and the horror hit me anew.

I struck out forwards, exiting the bedroom and grabbing hold of the railings overlooking the stairs, sweat dripping in my eyes.

The noise of the shower behind me had receded a little. There was no sound from below, no conversation, no noise from Donovan or Bethany or whoever the mystery caller had been.

I considered going for the front door.

In my mind I mapped out rushing downstairs and grappling with the snap lock and staggering outside.

But I knew Donovan was down there somewhere and Bethany could be anywhere.

Were they really a threat to me or was I letting my thoughts run away from me?

I licked my lips. They tasted of salt and oil. A needling pain probed at the back of my skull again.

At the end of the hallway was the bathroom and the back bedroom. I really hated that the bathroom was ahead of me. A wordless danger seemed to emanate from it.

Bad karma. Bad memories.

As if I wasn’t freaked out enough already.

Movement to my left.

I jerked my head sideways, gazing down over the railings.

Somebody’s shadow was sliding up the stairwell wall from below.

Only seconds until they saw me.

Maybe less.

My heart stuttered.

What to do?

I took a backwards step towards the bedroom.

But the bedroom was where they expected me to be.

Then I glanced sideways and up.

At the stairs leading towards the attic.