Chapters (50)
Amy lunged to snatch a towel from the railing and covered herself as she jumped to her feet. She then let out an ear-popping scream, one that rang like a siren inside the small room.
“No, please don’t do that . . .” The intruder showed her his open palms and staggered backward, colliding with the doorframe and tumbling to the floor. “I was only—”
Amy thrust a finger in the air while simultaneously trying to keep the towel in place around her middle. “Get out! ”
“Please—”
“I said, get out! ”
“But you’ve got it all wrong!”
“Now! ”
The intruder continued rambling through some incoherent explanation, but Amy wasn’t the least bit interested and let loose another scream, followed by a string of colorful expletives.
“If you could just let me explain!”
“I don’t care! Just go! ”
The intruder hobbled to his feet, his face flushed red with embarrassment. “Honestly, I meant you no harm! I’m so sorry!” he yelled, and he stumbled out of the room and took off, his apology continuing even as he was halfway out the door.
Amy turned off the taps and jumped out of the bath. She twisted the knot in her towel tighter, which only made her heartbeat even faster. It took her a good minute to catch her breath. She didn’t know whether to call for help, give chase, or jump straight on the phone and dial 911. How did that creep get in? How long had he been standing there? Had she really forgotten to lock the door? And where on earth was her dad?
After hurriedly toweling off, Amy slipped on some clothes and left the bathroom in search of her phone. She found it fast and was about to dial, but then she saw the extent of the flood she had unwittingly created. Not only had water spread out into the main room, but it was also seeping beneath the door and traveling out into the hall. She hesitated before dialing, considering the possibility that the intruder’s motives mightn’t have been so sinister after all. Maybe this was why he had come into her room? To help?
But whether that was the case or not, it didn’t matter; the priority right now was getting this mess cleaned up before her dad came back. Amy could only imagine the questions she’d face if he saw this, never mind how worried he’d be if he spotted his half-empty pill container and found out she had fallen asleep in the bath. Knowing him, he’d undoubtedly jump to the worst possible conclusion.