Fiend Zoned

Part 5

Life was about detours. That was how Becky justified the unscheduled stop at Joshy's gym. Even though the beer and the chat with Stone Cold had been awesome, she could still feel the tension in her shoulders, so she went for a quick workout before she headed back to Davenport. Joshy even arranged for her to have the gym to herself, so she put on some of her favourite music and got to work while he caught up on the business side of the gym. After about half an hour, he stepped out of the office and waved at her. "Ran out of paper," Joshy called out. "So I'm gonna run out and pick some up. You need anything while I'm gone?"

Becky shook her head and gulped down some water. "Nah, I'm good. I shouldn't need any spotting while you're gone." The last-minute workout he'd put together for her was more about maintenance than anything, and she knew all the exercises involved.

"Cool. I'll lock up on my way out. See you in a bit." Keys in hand, Joshy waved again and headed for the employee exit.

As soon as Joshy left, Becky grabbed her phone and sent Seth a quick text. Normally their trainer was adamant about using their phones only as tools during workouts, so she took the opportunity to cheat. Gym all to myself! she typed, then did a full-360 video of the empty gym to add. Once it was sent, she put her phone back down and started to head to the next station.

Then the music cut out.

"What the fuck?" Heading towards the stereo, Becky cursed. Of course it would die when Joshy was gone. She knew how to use the thing, not how to fix it. After jabbing a few buttons didn't help, she shook her head and gave up. It wasn't like she needed music to work out; it just made it more enjoyable, especially when she was alone.

The lights went out next, first the large overhead lights and then all the smaller individual ones, including the ones in Joshy's office. With no windows—a privacy measure for his clients that she normally appreciated—it left the gym in complete darkness. "Shit." Becky paused, trying to think of how far away she was from her cell phone. The flashlight function would drain her battery, but at least she'd be able to get to an external door and wait out the strange power outage. After two steps, though, she collided with some piece of gym equipment and swore. "Fuck." Bending over double, she clutched at her battered shin. For all the time she spent in Joshy's gym, she ought to be able to navigate it blindfolded by now.

Then a fan of light spread out, flashing right over her eyes and temporarily blinding her. Was Joshy back already? Maybe he forgot his wallet. It would suck for him, but it was definitely good for her. "Josh?" she called out. "Is the power out on the whole block, or just here?"

Hello, Rebecca.

Joshy called her Rebecca about as often as she called him Joshua, which was virtually never.

The power being cut. The flash of light. It was all uncomfortably familiar. . . .

"Shit." Becky straightened up quickly. This wasn't going to be some goofy puppet or creepy doll. Not this time. Which way was the locker room? There was an emergency exit down that hall. It would set off the building alarm, but she could apologize to Joshy later. She just had to navigate a death trap of gym equipment to get there.

Another light cut through the darkness, weaving madly, but it wasn't reassuring in the least. I've been waiting for you to let me in, Rebecca.

It was an idiot move and she knew it, but Becky made one last desperate dive for the area where she thought her phone should be. Her shoulder slammed into something metal and unforgiving and she knew she would pay for it in bruises later, but then she heard a familiar thud. She had dropped enough cell phones in her lifetime to know that sound, and she reached out blindly, sweeping her arm across the floor until it connected with something. "Thank you," she whispered, jabbing at the screen as she rose. It seemed to take forever for the screen to light, for her passcode to be accepted, for the flashlight app to activate.

Maybe not forever, but certainly too long. By the time the blinding light blossomed out of the phone, The Fiend was already in front of her, ominous and absolute. One hand reached for her throat, the other for her phone.

Darkness fell again, and so did she.