The Invisible Hand - A crime novel

Chapter 36

                 

"Seriously?" Sam says. Flicks on the light.

"What were...you were...?" I say.

I can't tell what I'm saying. Adrenaline cools in my veins. Feels like I just picked myself up after jumping out an airplane.

"The hell are you doing?" Sam says. "I heard all this noise."

"Looking...uh...out the window?" I say. Just as puzzled as Sam.

She reaches over to my hand. Jerks away something. The knife.

A knife? I had the knife?

"Thought you said I could trust you," Sam says.

I got her knife? When did that happen?

"Really, I don't know," I say.

"Uh huh. You're just another creeper fuck," Sam says. Grabs the truck keys from the counter.

The last thing I want is for her to leave. Whatever twisted shit is going on in my mind, I can't be alone. And I don't want Sam to not trust me. She's all I've got out here.

"It's just...I've been having these nightmares. Real weird ones," I say.

My faces creases in a way it hasn't in years. Desperation. It's always been there. The husk of my skin kept it hidden.

Not anymore. Something is wrong with me. My insides feel like a balled up knot of worms. Constantly writhing. Nervous. Anxious.

Sam scans my eyes for bullshit. Finds none. At least I think she doesn't.

"Fine. But I don't care if you're sleepwalking or having nightmares or what. You come near me at night, I will hurt you," Sam says. Keeps the knife in her hand. "What were you dreaming about anyway?"

I stand up. Put myself between her and the door. Check the windows.

"For two nights now, I've had dreams about seeing this shadow person. I wake up. Look out the window. Watch this...thing...walk around," I say. "Scares the hell out of me."

"That's fucked up," Sam says.

"Yeah, I know. It's the truth, though. Keep the knife. Keep the truck keys. I'm not trying to hurt you. Just been having a brainfuck," I say.

I watch Sam put the keys back on the counter. The knife rotates in her palm.

"I'm going back to bed. But I'm not here to fix you. I'm not your shrink," Sam says.

I can handle that. Don't blame her. The money is why we're here. Damn good money. It's why anyone is here. Friendship is cheap.

I'm about to wish Sam a good night's sleep. Something cuts me off.

Three heavy knocks on the door.

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