Chapter Twelve

Matt’s eyes fixed on the spot where he had seen the glint, his eyes narrowed in his determination to see it again. There it was. The shine of light of metal. The sign of moonlight off a knife. Matt brought his gaze slowly upwards, taking in what he could of the man in the little light he was provided with. Tall, broad-shouldered, well built. Much bigger than Matt was, so he reckoned he’d do himself no justice by fighting. He had to get out of here. Now. As the man took a step forward, he saw his chance, and ran for it.

*****

Matt slammed the bathroom door behind him and locked it, before leaning against it and panting heavily, more out of fear from actual exhaustion. “Help!” he begged. “Please!”

“Jump out the window.”

“We’re on the fourth floor.”

“Exactly. Die in the fall, die on contact. Better than being killed by him.” Something in James’ eyes told Matt that the other man wasn’t kidding.

“I’m not gonna jump.”

“And there we go again…” James commented with a sigh. “What is it with you that you have to be so bloody macho all the time?” He leaned as far forward as he could without banging his head off the glass. “Why won’t you just run?”

“Because running would prove I believe this.”

“I give up.”

Matt shot a scathing look at the mirror. “Thanks for your help then.” He let out a small whimper as the door behind him shook on its hinges.

*****

1996

James paced the living room anxiously, hoping to God he didn’t look half as nervous as he felt. She was meant to have called. Why hadn’t she called? He wanted her to call so badly. He missed her. Stuck here while she was back home, where he belonged.

There was a noise through in the bedroom, he froze. What was that? He could’ve sworn he was alone in the house. Damn it! He knew he was alone in the house!

So who was that? James moved slowly towards the door to the corridor, and glanced out, before moving into the corridor and along. He moved slowly, his breathing even, but all that he could hear.

He moved into the bedroom slowly. It was two in the morning! Who would be here? It was simply a ridiculous idea! The bedroom was dark. He reached out a hand and turned on the light. Then he saw him. And the fact that he was standing there so casually scared him more than anything in the world.

His cry of anguish echoed in the silent apartment.

*****

2006

Matt’s entire back shook along with the door, but he held fast, putting his whole weight against the wood. James was muttering feverishly to himself, his eyes fixed on the door. Matt gasped in shock as he was suddenly thrown across the room as the door burst open. He landed face down by the shower. Scrambling into the best sitting position he could find under the current circumstance, he spun round to face his doom.