Part 3 (1/2)
George watched the woman jump. Her growing anxiety was allowing him to feel even more relaxed. I wish I could see the expression on her face. I bet it's a riot. I can hear her breathing from here.
Slowly, the woman lowered from the altar and felt around the floor. Once confident it was safe, she sat down, scooted away from the noise, unknowingly moving toward George.
The manipulator had to hold back his desire to engage. I should scream, ”Boo!” He cupped his hand over his mouth. That would be hilarious. I bet she'd p.i.s.s herself. He forced his mind to change course. That would be funny, but it would be a disadvantage. They'll know I'm here.
This time, the woman used a much louder voice. ”I said, who's there?”
The other figure moved again, groaning while grabbing his head with one hand and pus.h.i.+ng himself upright with the other.
George watched as the other man draped his legs over the side of his dais. This one's definitely a guy. He groans like a man. He tried to focus a little harder on the figure. Just let the situation play itself out, Georgie boy.
”I said, who's there?” the woman yelled again with a more forceful tone. ”I've got a gun here!”
George reached down under his pant leg and patted the small firearm he always carried with him. Well, I've got one, too. Hmmm, she's got a bit of an accent.
”Okay, okay,” the man responded, trying to gain his bearings. ”Relax, will you? My name is Sam. Ugh.” He rubbed his eyes and continued. ”Sam, Sam Goodrich. That's who's here.”
The woman said nothing. She waited for more information as George continued to revel in her anxiety. I'm loving this. She'd crawl right out of her skin if I started to grumble, ”Red rum. Red rum.” d.a.m.n, I loved that movie. Stephen, you're the man.
After a moment of silence, Sam spoke in an authoritative voice. ”Who are you? Where am I, and why are all the lights out? ” He rubbed his temples. ”Do you have any aspirin? My head's killing me.”
George watched the woman react, searching her person for what he a.s.sumed would have been medication. As it turned out, she did not have anything. She moved farther away, frightened that her inability to help would increase the tension.
It was now clear she was wearing pajamas and slippers. Wow, nice body, George thought. I may not know where I am, but I know beautiful when I see it. h.e.l.l ... I've gotta give credit where credit is due. A guy's gotta sit back at a time like this and enjoy the show.
The woman replied, speaking to Sam in a soft voice. ”I don't have any aspirin. I'm sorry.” She tried to keep her voice low, not wanting to aggravate Sam's pain. ”If I had them, I'd give them to you.”
”b.u.mmer,” Sam replied, looking up. As he squinted to bring his surroundings into clarity, he questioned the woman in waves. ”What is this place? Where are we? Who are you, and how long have we been here?”
”How should I know? I just woke up.” After a moment, she continued, ”My name is Shalee.”
”Got a last name, Shalee?” Sam responded without hesitation.
”Adamson,” she answered, somewhat annoyed at his brashness.
”Nice to meet you. It seems we've found ourselves in a bit of a pickle, don't you think?” Sam continued to scan the room, his brilliant mind looking for answers.
The fighter's pain eased as he moved his neck to look around. ”You've got to love a good puzzle. Hopefully, I'll be able to see all the pieces soon,” he added with a slight smile that Shalee still could not see. ”Where's your accent from?”
Shalee relaxed a bit. ”Why Texas, of course. Any red-blooded American knows us Texans have the sweetness of apple pie in our voices. But my daddy messed it up a bit. You know how those people from Arkansas talk, all woodsy like.”
Sam chuckled. ”Well I hope you brought enough pie for me.”
George rolled his eyes. You've got to be kidding me. What a stupid line. Put the snake away, big boy.
Deciding the two were not a threat, George piped in. ”We're in some kind of hall, Casanova!” He made sure his voice was strong to ensure he struck a nerve or two.
With her back to this new voice, Shalee shrieked and rushed to take a seat on the altar at Sam's side. To her, Sam seemed to be less threatening at the moment, which was ironic, since out of the two men in the room, Sam was the only one who understood the mechanics of how to break someone's neck.
”Who's there?” Sam demanded. ”Show yourself!”
”h.e.l.l, man, no one's hiding! I'm right here. It's not my fault your d.a.m.n eyes can't see me yet!”
George stood, walked toward them and hopped onto the opposing altar. ”I've been sitting here the whole time. I've just been awake longer than you.” He crossed his legs. ”If anyone's interested, my name is George Nailer.”
George noticed Sam had on some sort of fighting gloves and a pair of trunks. There was also heavy tape around his ankles. Hmmm. Why is he dressed that way?
The manipulator continued, ”I didn't want to say anything until I knew you guys were cool. It looks like we're all clueless. I wish I knew how I got here.”
Sam replied, ”Me, too. Do you remember anything at all?”
George nodded. ”Ummm, yeah ... I was driving with this chick. Her eyes turned red, it got really cold, and I saw her teeth turn into these crazy, sharp fangs. Then I pa.s.sed out ... and I wasn't even drinking.”
Sam reached up and scratched the top of his head. ”This is going to sound strange, but something similar happened to me. Well ... the red eyes and the sharp teeth anyway.”
”What do you mean?” George questioned.
Sam took a deep breath and removed his gloves. ”Well, I was in a fight ... my first professional fight as a matter of fact. Anyway, after winning, the announcer questioned me. When I looked into his eyes, they were glowing. I felt helpless, and I couldn't move. The next thing I knew, his eyes were normal, and so was his smile. I finished answering his questions, and I remember the crowd cheering. When I left the cage, I looked back at the announcer. All of a sudden, his eyes turned red again.”
”I hate to admit it, but I was scared. It was a fear like I've never felt before. I ran to my locker room, and I remember lying down. I don't know why, but I felt overwhelmed. That's when the cold consumed me, and the laughter started. That's the last thing I remember.”
Sam crossed his arms and rubbed away the goose b.u.mps. ”For some reason, I felt like I've heard that laugh before ... but I don't know where or when.”
”If the laugh was anything like I heard, I can't imagine something so nasty feeling familiar,” George replied. ”Are you sure you heard it before?”
Sam jumped to his feet. ”I'm pretty sure.” He reached up and touched his brow. ”Huh ... the cut above my eye is gone.”
”What cut?” George queried.
Sam mumbled to himself. ”I think I was cut. I had to be.” After a bit, Sam shook off the confusion and turned to look at Shalee. ”What's your story?” He extended a hand to help her off the dais.
”Yeah,” George added, somewhat irritated that Sam had ignored his question. This Sam guy did not seem to be much of a threat, and it was easy to see that Shalee was still apprehensive. Her ongoing anxiety made him feel comfortable, so everything was under control, despite the fact he was in some dark, unfamiliar place. Today was not the first time George woke up in a dark room and had not known where he was.
Shalee refused to take Sam's hand while George continued to enjoy her mood. The jerk listened to her tentative response as Sam pulled his arm back.
”Well ... ummm ... I think I caught a glimpse of something out the corner of my eye when I fell. But I'm not too sure about that though. All I can really remember is how everything felt weird. Oh ... and I bonked my head on the coffee table in my living room.”
Shalee reached up to touch her forehead. To her surprise, it was not sore at all. ”Goodness, that's strange. I don't seem to have a mark on me. I wonder...” Shalee's mind was struggling to understand, but something unexpected happened to divert her anguish. The great hall filled with light.
The group's attention turned toward it. This was good, since it was pointless to guess the purpose of the demon with the red eyes and sharp teeth. These were questions they would not have been able to answer, questions that would have caused panic and fear. At least for the moment, the light in the great hall was their saving grace.
No matter where they looked, the light's origin appeared to come from the top of the pillars. It was as if it emanated from within the marble, like powerful bulbs had been placed inside and turned on.
The three huddled together. ”How's this possible?” Sam questioned. ”I don't see how they could light up like that. They look solid. I don't see any transparencies.” He scanned the room for answers.