Page 91 of Paranoid

“What was it?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

His brows slammed together and he looked worried. He turned his head to stare at the window, then slowly rolled out of the bed. “Sounded close.” He headed for the window.

Creee

ak!

Harper went completely cold inside.

The disembodied woman’s voice said more loudly, “Please . . . help me.”

“Jesus. Let’s go,” Xander said with a glance through the glass. Then he scooped his sweatshirt from the floor and yanked it over his head.

“Go?”

“We’ve got to help her, whoever she is.” He flung back the hood.

“No. Wait.” Pointing at Harper, he said, “You stay here. I’ll go.”

“No, I’m not staying here alone.” The idea was impossible. “We . . . we should call the police.”

He slanted her a look. “Don’t you think your dad might take the call? Is that what you want to do?”

“No, but—” She scrambled to find her bra, located it on the floor.

“Stay here. Lock the door. I’ll go check it out and if I have to call the police you’ll be okay. Just don’t open the door. I’ll text you.”

“No!” She was already hooking the clasps behind her back, snapping her bra into place. “If you’re going, I’m going.”

“I don’t think that’s a great idea.” He stepped into his shoes.

“Better than me being here. Alone.”

“Shit.” He looked about to argue but the voice came again. This time weaker. “Help. Please, someone help me.”

“I’m going with you,” Harper said, pulling on her own sweatshirt.

“Don’t argue.” She scrambled to find her shoes. One was under the bed.... Oh shit, where was the other one? She switched the bedside lamp on, blinked in the sudden brightness, but caught a glimpse of the toe of her shoe poking out from beneath the coffee table.

“Then stick close.” He was already at the door as she yanked on her shoes.

“Jesus.” They started for the stairs.

She was one step behind. Outside, they raced across the parking lot, scaring a marauding cat into hissing and dashing across the street.

Xander eyed the tall fence. Over six feet, it surrounded the property that had once been St. Augustine’s church, school, and hospital.

“It’s too high,” she said.

“Nope. Just wait here.”

“What? No!” She was frantic. For a wild, horrifying second she thought he was leaving her.

“I’m just going to move my Jeep.”

“What?”