Page 2 of Little Shattered Dreams

Clara made a quick call, nodded, then another frown.

“He’s occupied at the moment,” she said. “If you can wait, he can see you as soon as he’s free. Will that work for you?”

Given how restless Quinn had been since she arrived at the retreat, she was sure she’d still be awake even if she retired for the night. Plus, she’d had a rough evening. It would be nice to talk to someone about it. “All right. I’ll see him.”

“Perfect. I’ll return to let you know when he’s ready for you, and you can meet him in bungalow three.”

Quinn offered a quick nod and went to the kitchen. She remained there for a time, sipping on her tea and thinking about what she’d say to Karl. Then she headed to the dresser in her bedroom to change out of her pajamas and into something more appropriate. The curtain over the sliding glass door fluttered in the breeze, catching her eye. The door was a lot more ajar than it had been when she’d first opened it—a lot more. Given the weight of the glass, it didn’t seem possible for it to move so much on its own.

She approached the door and peered outside, seeing nothing but an array of twinkling lights around the circular roofs of the bungalows in the distance.

Ah well.

Maybe I opened it more than I thought.

Quinn closed the door and pulled the dresser drawer open. A flicker of movement danced along the wall, a shadow cast by the bedside lamp. She pressed a hand to her chest and gasped.

She was no longer alone.

“Faith, is that you?” she asked.

No response.

“Hello? Who’s there?”

In a panic, Quinn scanned the area around the dresser, looking for anything she could use to defend herself if the need arose.

Finding nothing, she swallowed back the fear rising within her and turned around. The intruder had retreated into the bathroom, veiling themselves in the darkness inside.

“Who are you?” Quinn demanded. “What are you doing in my room?”

Silence.

“Whoever you are, you need to get out of here,” Quinn said.

Silence.

What do I do now?

Think, Quinn!

Her cell phone was in the living room, a mere five feet away.

Perhaps she could get to it.

Perhaps she could get out.

She bolted into the next room, jerking to a stop when a hand gripped her arm, and she felt cold, hard steel pressed against the back of her head.

“Please,” she said. “I don’t know who you are or what you want. I haven’t seen your face. Let me go, please. Just leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” the intruder said. “Not until you pay for your sins.”

CHAPTER2

The clamorous thud of someoneor somethingsmacking into the wall adjoining my bungalow to my neighbor’s ripped me out of my dream. Prior to it, I swore I heard a noise, a pop, like gunfire. I removed the sleep mask from my eyes and sat up. The book I’d been reading before I’d fallen asleep slid off my chest and folded closed. I grabbed it and set it on the nightstand, eyeing the alarm clock. It was just after nine o’clock, and I was surprised I’d dozed off so early.

For a moment, I did nothing except listen.

---