“Fuck it,” Addison said, getting to her feet. “You found your way in here. Find your way out!” Stomping across the room, Addison headed to the gym without looking back.

***

It was almost midnight before Addison climbed out of the pool. She had punished her body until it would go no further and leaning on the ladder, she gasped for air so she’d have the strength to head to the shower. Finally able to slow her breathing, she stripped out of her swimsuit, but then something caught her eye in the gym. Spotting Chauncey sniffing near the treadmill, she said, “How the hell did you get down here?” Looking toward the opened door in the corner, she found her answer.

“Get out of here,” she yelled, but when Chauncey continued his investigation, Addison hurled her wet swimsuit in his direction. “I said get out of here!”

When it landed with a loud splat inches from where he was sniffing, Chauncey let out a frightened squeak and scooted toward the stairs.

“Good riddance, you little bastard,” Addison muttered as she dragged her tired self to the shower.

A short time later, exhausted but no longer smelling of chlorine, Addison donned her tracksuit and pushed the vinyl curtain aside. Noticing her black Speedo near the edge of the pool, she came to a stop. “What the hell?”

Addison looked toward the exercise area, her eyes darting back and forth as she searched for the dog. Coming up empty, she shrugged and took a few more steps, but when she reached the treadmill, her heart stopped. She spun around, and as she stared at the pool, the hair on the back of her neck instantly stood on end. Holding her breath, Addison slowly walked over to the edge.

She kept telling herself the pool would be empty, again and again in her head convincing herself there was nothing to worry about, but then she saw the dark, black spot lying on the bottom, and her blood ran cold. “Oh, Jesus Christ, no!”

Regenerated by the adrenaline now coursing through her veins, Addison dove into the water. Her arms and legs propelled her to the deepest end, and grabbing Chauncey, she launched herself off the bottom, breaking the surface within seconds. Placing him on the pool deck, Addison pushed herself out of the water and picked up the lifeless puppy.

“Please God, no,” she said, giving Chauncey a shake. “Please, oh sweet Jesus...please.”