The House of Sorrows

Chapter 33: "Escaped"

After Lockwood had apologized and we stood there for a moment we then heard a ringing sound from the sitting room, it was our house phone. It was maybe a new client, or it was George's mom demanding he come home for a Sunday dinner. They both happen quite frequently. Lockwood and George turned around to go down the stairs. Lockwood, much faster than George, ran down the stairs at the speed of light, most likely trying to escape the awkward emptiness of sound that engulfed my room. I stood up as soon as they were out of my room to put on a shirt and some proper trousers. I dressed myself in a soft fuzzy sweater that Lockwood had gotten me after one of others had been demolished by ectoplasm. I made my down the stairs, I heard mumbling voices, at least 3, I assumed it was George, Lockwood, and whomever was on the other end of the phone. Once I reached the bottom of the steps I saw that Lockwood's face was distressed, one I'd rarely seen before. His face was paler than usual, his fists clenched, and his jaw wired very tight. I knew something was wrong so I went to George, I certainly didn't expect his answer. In fact it was the last thing I'd expect.

"George? Who's on the phone? Is it a nice juicy case?" I asked hoping it was, as it's been a boring few months.

"No. It's Barnes." He responded dully, with a hint of fear in his eyes but I hadn't noticed that yet.

"Oh, well if he's checking up to make neither of us have killed Lockwood yet for his disappearing act then you can tell him it's all good. So far." I said with a genuine smile and a wink.

"No. Lucy—" George started to say something but was cut off by Lockwood slamming the phone down with all of his strength.

"Damn it. I don't—I uh—shit." Lockwood let out a gasp of anger, I instinctively took a step back.

"Lockwood? George? I whats going on? Your scaring me." I questioned them cautiously, I suddenly felt small, like a scared child again.

I didn't know why, but I had this deep, nauseous feeling in my stomach, my heart was beating like an alarm going off in my ears. I got the feeling you get when you enter a haunted house, one of malaise, creeping fear that you can't shake off, no matter how many biscuits you eat. Lockwood looked at me like a lost puppy, one he needed to rescue, to take off the streets. I mean he did take me off the streets, but I pay rent so...but it wasn't a nice look, it was a pitiful stare. I didn't like the look of it.

"Lucy. That was Barnes. Freddy he—he escaped. It seems that someone helped him break out." Lockwood said, his words rung in my ears.

I could hear my heart pounding, my breath hitched, my hands went numb. I suddenly felt like my whole world was spinning, floating, moving all around me with no intention to stop. The ground beneath me was shifting, I lost my footing and stepped back into a bookshelf. Lockwood and George rushed over to me.

"Lucy? Lucy are you ok?" George was in my face, he gave me a light tap on the cheek before I snapped out of my daze.

Lockwood was right beside me, hand on my shoulder, he was trying to steady me. I was hyperventilating, looking into their eyes, shooting back and forth between them. I could see they're lips moving but I couldn't really hear anything, it was like I was underwater, drowning, gasping for air, begging for the oxygen I'm being deprived of. But I had no luck. It wasn't a bad dream, or a mistake, it was real.

"Luce? Luce look at me. Are you ok?" Lockwood asked, a gentle stare emanating from his face.

"Yes. I just got dizzy." I said, hoping they would buy that lie.

They didn't. They did not believe me for a second, to be fair, I was usually better at lying. But they knew all my tells.

"Luce. We know that's not why. It's ok if you're worried, I'm worried about your safety too." Lockwood said with a graceful side smile.

Wow. He really thought I was worried about myself. I don't care about Freddy coming for me. I'm worried for him. He's the one that got shot, not me. But I didn't feel confrontational, so I just smiled and nodded, they bought it this time. I think George suspected, but he didn't voice it.

"Yeah. I'm okay. I just got startled by the news." I told them, it was aimed at Lockwood though.

"Are you okay?" I asked, concerned for him, even though he may not show it.

"Yeah I'm fine. That roach doesn't scare me." Lockwood joked, but I saw the pain behind the smile.

I smiled back, showing him it was ok, that he didn't have to share. That I understood, and he could talk to me if he wanted. Knowing him, he won't, his emotions are a do not discuss topic. Our first instinct after getting that call, was to lock all the doors and windows, shut our blinds, and make sure we were prepared for everything. We kept our rapiers by ours beds that night, and our bedroom doors locked.