Page 26 of Rayne

And if I'm being honest, next week isn't looking much better. But it could always be worse. And that's what I continue to tell myself for the rest of the day.

Chapter 9

Despite Nick's attempts to run me into the ground, I leave the office on time. Nothing he has given me is urgent, and I'm desperate for some sleep.

I've missed seeing my parents off to Florida, but I did promise Mom I'd water her plants, so I head to their house after work.

They live towards the outskirts of Phoenix, in a nice two-story white house. It's a quiet neighborhood, and a few people recognize me as I get out of my car. Giving the neighbors a quick wave in acknowledgement, I head up the driveway, unlatching the side gate to enter the backyard.

Mom has kept a spare key under the potted plant by the backdoor since I was an infant. Grabbing it, I let myself into the familiar house as I set off collecting a watering can and filling it up.

It takes me a while to get through all the plants. I'm tempted to sleep here, especially since my bedroom is still set up. But I don't have any office attire—ironic.

Putting the key back under the pot, I force myself to drive home to my apartment. Lights are blurry as I struggle to stay awake in the traffic. Thankfully, I arrive home safe, resisting the urge to faceplant my bed and go to sleep right this very second.

I head straight for the shower, washing myself more thoroughly before changing into some pajamas.

Not feeling up to cooking much, I make some toast with butter, shoving a new change of clothes into a spare bag for tomorrow. I decide to pack my toothbrush and hair supplies in case I want to sleep at Mom and Dad's house after work tomorrow.

Crawling into bed, I barely have the energy to scroll on my cell. I open my messages, sending Margot a quick hello before I crash to help eliminate any awkward tension from yesterday. She didn't seem suspicious when she left, but I still can't help but worry that she'll read it all over my face. I'm not great at lying or holding a poker face, especially when I'm tired, so at least I can hide behind my cell for the time being.

We exchange a few short messages before I tell her about Nick being an asshole and needing some sleep. Plugging my cell into the charger, I flick the light off and finally get the much needed sleep I've been daydreaming about all day.

After several arguments with Nick, including him trying to make me stay late again, I finally leave the office around eight. Pulling into my parents' driveway, it's an easy decision about staying the night.

The sooner I can get to sleep, the better, since Nick is determined to try to break me this week. It's going to take me at least an hour to water all the plants again, plus with the need to battle traffic to get back home and shower, I'm better off crashing here.

Letting myself into the house, it's dark so I have to remember my way around to find the light switches. I check the first few plants, feeling the leaves and am pleased to find the soil is still quite damp from yesterday despite the heat. I decide not to worry about watering them tonight, since I don't want to accidentally kill any of Mom's hard work. I still stay though, content in my old house as I head to the bathroom to take a shower.

They always say there's no shower like home. My apartment shower is good, but it doesn't beat the water pressure here. I take longer than usual, enjoying the hot water as I forget about my shitty work problems.

I turn the water off, reaching for my towel and wrapping it around my body. My stomach rumbles with hunger and I step out of the bathroom to find my cell so I can order a pizza. When I'm in the corridor, it dawns on me that I'm in the dark again. Bewildered, I look around. All the lights are off in the house except the bathroom where I just emerged from. I definitely had turned on the lights when I arrived.

Switching the hallway light on, I go into my bedroom, reaching for my lamp. I hit the switch... but nothing happens.

"Damn bulb is gone," I grumble, standing up and heading to the doorway to get the main light switch. As I do, the hallway light turns off, evaporating my light source.

Pausing, I sigh. Just my luck that two lights have blown.

I step out into the corridor, using my hand as a guide on the wall. I notice that there's no light anywhere—not even the bathroom.

The hair on my arms stick up as an eerie feeling washes over me. I definitely remember leaving that on.

Hastily, I stomp over to the light switch in the hallway, flicking the switch off then on again.

Nothing.

Moving to the next room, I try the same thing.

More darkness.

The whole house is out. One blown light is believable... two, okay strange but not unusual. But the whole house? No... something wasn't right.

I tuck the towel tighter around me as I head down the stairs. Dad keeps a flashlight under the kitchen sink. I'll have to check the fuse box to make sure there's nothing blown there. My quiet night is turning into a nightmare. I'll have to call the electrician, and who knows how long they will take since it's after hours.

Thankfully my muscle memory is strong and I make it to the kitchen without stubbing my toe on anything. I blindly feel under the sink for the flashlight, frowning when I come up empty.

"Fuck," I curse.

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