บท 25: Chapter 25

Tommy

He scanned Ruby's laptop for movie times and tried not to think about her naked in the shower upstairs. The screen lit up the kitchen as he scooted his chair closer to the table. When a muffled noise came from upstairs, he rose. It almost sounded like a thud. Something about it seemed off. Unease zinged through him.

He strode toward the steps. "Ruby, you okay?"

Another thump.

Before he took his next breath, he sprinted up the stairs. "Ruby!"

Steam from the shower rolled out from underneath the bathroom door.

"Ruby, open the door."

No response.

"Open this damn door now, or I'll bust it to splinters." He turned the handle... locked.

The unsettling sound of the shower running coupled with no response from Ruby made his heart crawl into his throat. He kicked four times until his foot jammed right through the wood, creating a hole large enough to slip his hand inside and unlock it.