Jekyll's Wife

Chapter Ten - Shadows Watch

It was just after nine when she heard the front door open. She paused, her body freezing in a mixture of fear and anticipation.

The stitch she'd been about to complete, remained forgotten on the cross stitch she worked on.

She listened intently to the sounds of the house as he removed his coat. She heard him hang it on the hook, before he sighed a deep and tired sigh.

Next he removed his shoes and to her annoyance she realised he'd left them scattered across the hallway, as he always did.

His tired feet padded into the kitchen, his eyes scanning the side for his bottle of whiskey, before his finger hooked a clean glass and picked it up, turning to head for the living room.

He paused when he finally saw her, sat in a high backed chair, only the lamp on the table next to her for light.

Maria smiled a small and tight smile, nodding her head at him, before regretting it as the movement caused her pain. Although the ointment from Nancy had helped, the effects were only temporary.

He remained still, like a statue, caught somewhere between the kitchen and his thoughts. Without a word he turned and headed towards the back of the house, where his office awaited him.

Once she heard his office door click shut, Maria released a long breath. Her heart hammered in her chest and her palms were sweatier than she'd ever known them.

Placing the cross stitch down, she raised her hand to her chest and rested it on her cool skin. She sat like that, in the silent house for a while, until she realised that it was about time she went to bed.

Switching out the lamp, she went to head towards the bedroom when she paused, swearing she'd heard a noise. Her eyes scanned the darkened room, her eyes flittering over the many possessions they'd collected and displayed in recognition of their time together.

Convinced she was going crazy, Maria shook her head lightly, before continuing to head towards the bedroom, as she stepped into the hallway she froze, a figure shrouded in shadows leant against the wall there, watching her. His eyes dancing in the growing moonlight.

She sucked in a sharp breath and flinched in surprise. Had he been there before?

"Good night husband." She whispered, slowly stepping around him, as though trying to avoid a sleeping lion.

Her back slid along the hall wall, as tears burned at her eyes, he didn't move, or even turn his head as she slid past him, "Good night Mary." He replied as she reached their bedroom door.

Her eyes had not left him, as she blindly felt for the bedroom door handle, twisting it she fell through the door, thankful to lose sight of him.

Slamming the bedroom door behind her, she leaned her forehead against the solid wood and tried to catch her breath, as her heart hammered against her rib cage.

Turning around, her fingers finally dislodging from the door handle, she slowly slid to the floor on an exhale.

Sat in a swathe of material, she balanced her elbows on her knees and placed her head in her hands. Her tears and frustration broke the silence that the house had melted into. Her small frame shaking with every breath.