Page 5 of Fall

“You deserve a break. It’s still early, after all,” he tells me. “And I know Val wants to play more, don’t you?” He glances sidelong at his partner, who grins guiltily.

“I always want to play,” he admits slyly. “Especially with you.” As Kieran walks towards the kitchen, Val hands me back my shirt and shorts, surprising me.

“But—” Maybe I’m confused. After all, they gave me the impression they’re short on time. Maybe they just wanted a victory lap, to gloat, or to let me see their faces before heading out and going on their way.

Maybe this is the last time I’ll see them.That thought hurts more than it should. I shouldnotbe already sort of attached to two terrible men, and it goes to prove just how awful my taste in people is, clearly.

“Don’t worry, princess.” Val’s grin is bright and friendly. It’s a new look for him, and he helps me tug my tank top over my head. “Seriously, thelastthing you need to do is worry. You’re too perfect for that.” It’s sweet. So is the way he sits beside me on the sofa as Kieran comes back with a glass of ice water.

“Who knew two scary psycho killers could be so…accommodating,” I mutter as I take it from him. “Thank you.” Kieran doesn’t reply. He only tilts his head as I take a longswallow from the glass, then another. “Are you, umm, leaving?” I finally ask, not sure I want the answer. “Like, really leaving?”

Val glances up at Kieran, who still just doesn’t answer. It’s awkward. It’s definitely reallyawkwardas I take a few more absent sips of water while they just look at me as if they’re waiting for something.

“That’s good, right?” Val asks, leaning his chin on my shoulder. I have no idea what he’s asking, and I open my mouth to tell him so before Kieran answers instead.

“Yeah. That’s good. Where are your shoes, Noa?” Kieran reaches out and tugs the glass free of my grip, even as I make a noise of confusion and surprise. “And your jacket?”

“Uh…what?” I have no idea what in the world he wants with my stuff, though I glance toward my room instinctively. “Why? I have plans today that involve me staying here, eating pecan pie, and drinking coffee. I’m not going anywhere.”

Yet againKieran just looks at me, tilting his head to the side like I’ve said something amusing. A small smile tugs on his lips, and a sense of unease makes me pull away from Val and push to my feet.

My head spins suddenly, prompting me to reach out to grab the armrest for support. I reach a hand up to my face, a groan on my lips. “Yeah, this is why I say I’m taking today off. With pie.” God, I really am more tired than I thought I would be.

“You should sit back down,” Val tells me, tugging me back down to the couch beside him. I want to resist, to protest, but somehow it’s all too easy for him to pull me off my feet.

Something’s wrong with me.

Fuck, something is wrong with me. On the sofa I lean forward, nausea tickling at my throat. “I think maybe I need, like, a doctor? I don’t get what’s wrong with me. Maybe, like, all the stress and strain and—” Breaking off, my brain finally takes this moment to work.

That’s good, right?That’s what Val said after I drank about half of the glass of the water Kieran gave me.

“Oh, my god.” I jerk my head up to look at Kieran, though my gaze swims. “Youdrugged me!”But my accusation is weak and strained, and I have to blink to keep him in focus.

Kieran kneels in front of me and reaches out, one hand cradling my face. “Yeah,” he agrees. “I did. I need you out longer than the chloroform can do. Sorry, darling.” I think he smiles, but then again, I really have no idea.

I can barely see him. My head is fuzzy, and I can’t seem to feel my fingers. Belatedly, I realize Val has me leaning against him, and he’s murmuring something in my ear that I can’t really make out.

“You can’t…I thought…” Yet again, a feeling of helplessness settles over me, and I can feel the hot burn of tears in my gaze. “Why?” I manage to ask at last.

But if there’s an answer, I don’t get to hear it. The blackness takes me too quickly to even know if I actually said the word out loud or just thought I did.

3

Warmth radiatingagainst my back hits me before my eyes even open. It’s nice, and familiar, though not tangible, exactly. I turn my face against the pillow under me, inhaling deeply. For a few moments, it’s great. I’m warm, I’m comfortable—though it doesn’t feel like I’m lying in a bed—and nothing is wrong.

Until I remember.

With a gasp, I open my eyes and jerk upward, causing a light blanket to fall off of me. I turn toward the crackling sound and warmth, my eyes wide as I find a lit fireplace with flames licking over artificial logs. Seeing as there’s no fireplace in my apartment, I know I’m not at home anymore.

“What the hell…?” I murmur, feeling more than a little bit out of it. My brain seems to be scattered, like it’s still waking up from the best sleep I’ve probably had in my life. Even if it did happen against my will. Moving my hand, I flinch when I touch something near the pillow under me that turns out to be my shoes.

“Real brave of you, Noa,” I grumble to myself, pulling them on. A hoodie lies folded there too, though it’s not one of mine. Still I tug it over my head, sort of wishing this one was mine because it’s so soft and covers me to mid-thigh. The sleeves areperfectly too long, and I curl my fingers into the fabric to comfort myself.

Judging from the way no one has responded to me talking to myself or jumped out of the shadows to murder me, I can’t help but wonder if I’m alone here. “Hello?” My voice seems too loud in the open, yet cozy space, and when no one responds I take off at a stiff, slow walk.

Large, plush sofas face the fireplace and the tv hanging above the mantle, and where I’d been lying is a pillow, soft blanket, and even softer rug. The fire still makes occasional sounds, even without real wood, making me wonder when it was cleaned or looked at last. I would really like to avoid a death by gas fireplace in a strange cabin.

Turning, my eyes find huge windows lining part of one wall, though I have no idea what’s outside. Everything past the glass is black, but it doesn’t stop me from approaching to press my hands against them.

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