Page 45 of Jase

My purse was at the end of the bed, and I took out the bottle, pouring one into my palm. When I opened the door, I expected it to be pitch black. It wasn’t, but it wasn’t light either. There was a glow. An illumination that drew me forward. It had to be late. Surely, Jase wasn’t still awake?

The light from the monitors had realization dawning. It wasn’t a light; it was them. He had to be asleep. The room was empty as I tiptoed through, heading to the kitchen. I got a glass, filling it with water, and swallowing my pill.

I glanced around the space.

You2. I laughed under my breath, shaking my head.What made him want to open a site like that? How did he come up with the name? Social media was communication/interaction that wasn’t physical. Did that mean something to him? Was it just a job? An idea? A need to be social without having to technically be social? It made sense. Still, the curiosity had me going back to the screens. All looked to be on standby mode except my apartment. It was empty, but not dark. I always left the light over my oven on at night. The glow was enough to show a small portion of my floor, but it looked…off. Had it been at this angle before?

“Surely, you didn’t expect her to come back so soon?”

I spun, looking for Jase. It had my stare narrowing on the parts of his living room I couldn’t see.

“Where’s the girl?”

“Somewhere she’ll never be found.”

“You’re wrong.”

“I’m never wrong. She’s safe. You won’t find her.”

“We’ll see about that.”

What started out as sounds of clothes shuffling, quickly turned into impact. I spun to face the monitor, my glass dropping, and sending sharp shards and water spraying over my feet. A loud pop turned into repeated hits, followed by groans and grunts. They surrounded me, filling the room like a movie theater. The distinct noises sent chills down my body like I’d never felt. The strength was crushing. Harder than any kick or blow I’d received. And it wasn’t stopping. Movement blurred in the dark, but I couldn’t make out what I was seeing.

I took a step, wincing as pain sliced into my foot. Why hadn’t he told me he was going? Hadn’t I asked? I did. I could have sworn I did.

“Jase. Jase, please. Let me see you. Come on, Jase.”

Nothing, but solid blows. I went to race into my room, suddenly realizing it was pointless to try to call him on my new phone. I didn’t have his number. Tiffany’s was the only one I had saved so far.

A deep cry had my hands flying to my mouth as I stayed glued to the darkness. An eternity seemed to pass. It’d been quiet for far longer than I liked. What was happening? Where was Jase?

Footsteps. They grew closer, stepping right along the edge of the light. The best I got were the bottom of black jeans as he swept passed. Within seconds, my front door opened, only to close, But I couldn’t see it; I couldn’t see anything.

I raced to the counter, fumbling with three different pairs of car keys. I had no idea which ones I grabbed, but I didn’t care. Blood made my steps slick causing me to slide to a stop. I hit the code, jumping when a loud voice echoed over the speakers.

Access denied.

“What?” I tried to calm as I hit the numbers again.Green button.

Access denied.

“No.No!” I pounded into the door, hitting the buttons again.

Access denied.

“Dammit, Jase!”

Banging had me spinning and running back towards the screens. Whatever had happened, I’d missed it. There was nothing there. Nothing but the darkness hiding what I needed to see. Had Jase woken up and made it out? Was he coming back here, or…had the man taken him somewhere?

I paced.

A part of me wanted to call the cops. I should. What if it was Jase? What if he needed help? Someone was hurt or dead, that was obvious, but what if I was wrong? What if he wasn’t the one on the floor? That could be bad. I’d only end up getting him in trouble, and wasn’t he just trying to protect me? No. It was more than that. God, what was I doing? Was this really happening?

I was protecting a killer.One I had created.

Chapter 17

Jase