Watcher in the Darkness, Book 3: Imprisoned

Chapter 4

While nothing had changed to the outward design of Karen's house, it was like a completely different place. I had plenty of time to check out my surroundings while Karen and Trevor had loud sex in her bedroom.

The houseplants on the balcony thrived, rather than being brown and wilted from neglect. The patio chairs were almost like new. The metal frames were free of rust, the cushions clean and untorn. The tiles on the roof were all uniform and in good condition, instead of the cheap, patched-over holes I was used to. There were no broken windows. There was no mold or dust on the siding. Even the pave stones on the walkway had lost their cracks.

It was creepy as fuck.

Karen cried out as she orgasmed for what had to be the tenth time. I blew a loose strand of hair out of my eyes in boredom. It felt strange to hear them together and feel not even a twinge of jealousy.

"Baby." Trevor's words were muffled. "Baby, get up. Get up, get up, get up." The pain in his voice was obvious. "My leg is cramping."

"Probably dehydration," I said under my breath. My feet were propped on the balcony rail as I used the tip of my knife to scrape blackened grit out of my claws.

Karen purred. "Stretch it out, stud, I'm not done with you yet."

"No, wait. Hold on," Trevor managed to protest between sticky kisses. The mattress creaked as he sat up. "I have to go. I was supposed to be home hours ago."

"Well, you're not going to get into any more trouble than you already are. Just stay the night."

"No!" Trevor took a moment to govern his tone. "No, I need to get going." I heard his clothes rustle as he hurried to put them on. "My mom's not happy with how often I've been breaking curfew for...well, you know. My parents are threatening to take my car."

"You're eighteen years old and we're engaged. When are they going to stop trying to run our lives? I'll be so glad when we're married and we don't have to sneak around like this anymore."

Trevor made a vague sound as he continued to dress.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Karen's voice had grown cold. "Are you going to pick me up or do I need to take the bus?"

"Um, maybe you should catch the bus, or a ride with someone else. I don't feel so good. I'm going to stay home tomorrow."

"Aw, my poor baby. What's wrong?"

"I don't have any fucking energy." Even I blinked in surprise at the sharpness of Trevor's tone. "My head hurts, everything I eat makes me queasy, I barely sleep..."

I don't know if Karen heard the subtle accusation. If she did, she didn't care. "All right, then. Go get some rest, sweetness. I'll call you tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay." It may have been my imagination, but Trevor sounded kind of defeated.

"I love you," Karen said, hopeful.

I rolled my eyes. That should have tipped the poor, dumb bastard off right there. Karen never said it first.

"Yeah. I love you, too," Trevor muttered as he left the room. I couldn't stand him, but it was hard not to feel sorry for the guy. He wouldn't last much longer.

I waited until I heard Trevor's car start in the driveway before I knocked on Karen's window. She pulled back the lace curtain a few seconds later, a silky blue robe pulled tight around her nakedness. Her skin glowed as she gave me a long, blank look, then her face split into a wide smile.