Bite Shift

58

I came to with a gasp.

The vision had been vivid but broken. It was just images, like a movie cutting from scene to scene with no backstory or explanation.

First, a barn. It was hard to see in the nighttime. It was in shadows and the vast land around it had no lights. Thick trees, on the edge of the land, blocked most of the full moon.

Next, I was inside the forest and running. Twigs cracked under my feet. I could feel the dry ground. I was not wearing shoes.

Then, it was nothing but darkness and I heard a cell phone ring. A voice that I recognized, but couldn't place, said "Where are you?"

Then, there was only an image. An iPhone, shattered on a ground.

I was back, outside the barn, walking towards it at an agonizingly slow pace. A scream pierced the silence. It was a woman. Her scream was long and guttural. She was inside the barn. She was in pain. I could smell blood. I could feel her fear. The view paned over and I saw the car parked next to the barn.

It was Rhys' silver Honda Civic.

I snapped awake and sucked in air.

No. Please no. It can't be true. It can't be real. He may have lied to me but he can't be a killer. He can't be the killer.

I rolled to my side, pulled my legs up to my chest and cried. The sobs were racking. My body convulsed with the pain of the vision and the knowledge that it was real. The girl's screams echoed in my head. She had been dying; in a horrible way. I had to stop it from happening but didn't know where the barn was, who had been screaming, or when it would occur. I had never felt so helpless.

The crying died down.

I laid there with my thoughts racing but my spirit exhausted. How can I stop this? I'm one person. I can't do this alone. I'll die. I have to be here for my daughters.

While those statements slithered across my mind, another one pounded underneath. You have to try. You have to save her. She is someone's daughter.

That was the thought that won out and filled me with strength. Whoever was behind those screams was going to need someone to save her and I was the only hope she had. Crying wasn't going to fix anything.

I rolled over and glanced at the clock. 5:30pm. It was close enough to sundown to start my night. I jumped from my bed, looking down at my blood-soaked pillow. It would never wash out. I made a mental note to buy extra pillows, in case of tearful nights, and hid that one under my bed for now.

The lock was easy to get open, thanks to the simple combo, and I extracted a bag from the fridge before closing and locking it back up. I grabbed my phone with my other hand, headed to the kitchen, and found my crockpot. It only took me 30 seconds to snip a corner of the bag, dump it into the slow cooker, drop the lid in place and turn the dial to high. The bag was rinsed clean and tossed into the garbage.

The phone came with me into the bathroom. I needed it for the next part.

First, I dialed the number of the charge nurse phone. Whatever nurse was in charge of my unit, at any given time, would have that phone. My silent prayer was answered when the voicemail picked up, instead of said nurse. After the beep, I spoke. "It's Kate Murphy. I am really sorry for the late call off but I can't come in tonight. I think I rushed myself back to work yesterday. I don't think I was ready. I need one more day to recover. I don't know if I will be there for my shift tomorrow but I will let you know by the end of tonight if I am not going to make it. Please talk to Dr. Kitchner for verification of my condition."

The next, few messages would be texts. To Rhys, I wrote: I am not coming in tonight. I came back too quickly and should have taken one more day to get my head right. I will be back tomorrow. Please don't worry. I just need a night alone so I can be okay for my patients and my kids."

To Alex, I wrote: I am not coming in tonight. I need a night to get my head straight. If the charge nurse calls, please cover for me. I can give you the sample tomorrow night. I'm sorry.

To Monica, I wrote: Please talk to me. I can't go through all of this without you.

To a group chat with myself, Olivia and Ellie, I wrote: Love you guys so much. Heading to work. Can't wait to have you back. I love you!

I set it aside and figured, by the time my shower was done, I should have responses.

I was right. Thirty minutes later, I stood in the kitchen, towel wrapped around me, a glass of warm blood in my hand, and my phone in the other. Two texts were waiting for me.

Rhys: I am worried about you. You seem different. Whatever you are going through, you can tell me.

Alex: I understand. I will cover for you. So you know, your friend, Monica, also called off.

She didn't text back and she isn't going to.

I didn't know what to say to Alex so I only responded to Rhys.

It is nothing. I just need time to get things together at home before the girls come back. We can catch up tomorrow night. Stay at work. It is too weird if you and I both call off.

I waited a while, sipping my breakfast, and finally got an Okay in response. Maybe, I had actually bought myself some time. I would need it for the next part of the plan.

I was going to search Rhys' house.