Page 76 of Eldritch

“Yeah, I suppose that’s possible,” Letisha said.

“Is there any way you took an extra pill?”

Letisha’s gaze sharpened. “Hell, no. I’ve got everything sorted in a pillbox.” She got off the bed and went to the bathroom. She came out a few moments later. “Nope. Everything in its proper place.”

The miffed sound in Letisha’s voice made Sybil say, “I didn’t mean to imply you’d deliberately taken an extra pill.”

“You’re just trying to be a good friend.”

Letisha smiled, but Sybil took on the sadness behind it.

“How did you get into the basement without the key?” Sybil asked.

Letisha stared off into space for a moment. “I don’t know. Did you leave it unlocked?”

“I don’t think so. Even if someone left it unlocked, that wouldn’t explain why you were down there in the dark.”

Letisha rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m not...” Her gaze returned to Sybil’s. “I don’t understand it. It scares the hell out of me.”

Sybil took her time speaking. “You would’ve had to inch your way down each step without falling and breaking your neck. You must’ve figured out how to see in the dark.”

“What? No.”

“Then you explain it to me. How did you get down all those steps? When I found you, you were near that weird box. How did you see it in pitch black?”

Letisha popped off the bed and paced. She stopped and put her hands up. “I don’t know. Maybe I should call the doctor about it. I suppose it could be the meds.” She shrugged. “They aren’t working well. Barely took the edge off the pain.”

Sybil cracked a yawn. “I can drive you tomorrow if you need to see him again tomorrow.”

Letisha stopped pacing and smiled. “Thanks for looking out for me.” Letisha managed a smile, and it looked genuine. “How was your date?”

Surprised by the new direction in their conversation, she hesitated before answering.

“I don’t think I’d call it a date. Maybe friends,” Sybil said.

Letisha shrugged. “Either or doesn’t matter. Did you have a good time?”

“Yeah, actually I did.” Sybil couldn’t stop her big grin. “Thor is not only hot, but he’s also got depths.”

Letisha chuckled. “Now that’s what I like to hear.” She yawned. “You can tell me more tomorrow.”

Sybil stood. “In the meantime, don’t sleepwalk.”

Letisha followed her to the door. “Yes, mother.”

Sybil groaned. “‘Night.”

Once Sybil was back in her room, she considered returning downstairs to lock the cellar. No, no. She didn’t want to. Now that she was in her bedroom, she didn’t want to leave it to wander the dark again.

You don’t want to feel what’s in the dark.

No. No, she didn’t.

Chapter Fourteen

Sybil heard the ladies chattering in the kitchen early the next morning as she headed for the cellar door. It was six o’clock, and she was starting a bit late. Her alarm hadn’t gone off at five. She questioned if she’d set it, but when she looked on her phone she realized hadn’t turned it off. What else was new around here? Weirdness ruled the days.

She reached the cellar door. It stood open exactly as they’d left it last night after they’d gone upstairs to Letisha’s room.

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