RAIN

Chapter fourteen

The gurgling water grew louder with each step he took, drawing him deeper into this tunnel-like place. Mounds of debris and rubbish were everywhere. The air was musty and thick.

The screaming wind lashed him as he rounded the corner. He used his arm as a shield against the gusts. This place certainly had its surprises.

As his eyes adjusted to the stinging wind, they focused on the gaping hole in the ceiling. The bare rafters left behind were rattling in the wind like bones. Rain was whipping in, rippling in the water beneath as the surge waterfalled into the space.

The water was an inch below his knees. He was sure it had flowed into the dining area by now. Nearby, the waves pounded against the shoreline. He could imagine the giants propelled by the mighty wind.

Jet wrapped his arms around his body. Fear crept up his body like vines taking control of him. This place was like a tomb, and he was an invader. He did not belong here.

He sank further into the room. The water rushing in from the broken ceiling could not drown out the sound of the squeaking rats. A shiver of disgust shot through his body, and he trembled. One scampered out of his way, hopping over objects floating in the water like an acrobat. It disappeared into the shadows. He stared at the spot, frozen in place, until something caught his attention. Something hidden within the moss-covered debris sparkled.

With reluctant steps, he followed the rat's path. He stopped and leaned in, shining the lantern over the object. It glittered. Compelled by that overbearing curiosity again, he reached into the heap of decaying branches and boulders. He wrapped a finger around the silver necklace. He pulled but encountered some resistance. He pulled harder. A rustle made him jump back. His heart leaped into his throat. The pile came crashing down, splashing the water into his face. What rolled out from within its confines made him lunge backward. His head cracked the stone wall with a thud. He subconsciously grabbed the spot, doubling over, unable to catch his breath. His hate for this place was now at its peak.

He straightened up. Only the ragged sound of his breathing filled the silent space. The sting of tears in his eyes surprised him. Slowly and steadily, he moved his gaze down toward the thing in the water as it swayed in the currents that threatened to carry it off with it. Long black tendrils of matted hair drifted like river eels in the murky water.

His eyes could not look away from the skeleton, at the white shirt and blue jeans that it wore. His throat felt dry, and he could not feel his legs. Jet's mind had become an empty vault. Looking at this thing in the water, Jet felt an unnatural fear consume him.

He peeled his eyes away and looked down at the necklace wrapped around his fingers. Icy blood raced through his veins, and his bladder felt unusually full.

He lifted the necklace in the air, his eyes focused with intensity. The tubular pendant dangled and swayed. The shock sent him into his most recent memories. The recollection of when Rain leaned over him as he lay on the couch repeatedly played in his mind. The necklace dangling over Jet's face as he admired the stunning stranger made Jet want to scream in terror.

"This is fucking crazy!"

The thought reverberated in his mind. His eyes swung back toward the skeleton and at the long black hair still attached to its skull, the white shirt, and the blue jeans. The image of Rain coming to his rescue after he had crashed his car surfaced in his head.

It couldn't be real.

Only a madman could come to such a bizarre conclusion.

Lightning illuminated the nightmarish scene that stood before him. Its sound reached the earth and rumbled restlessly. A voice pulled him out of his paralyzed state. Someone was talking, and it was coming from close by.