Page 9 of Chasing the Past

Eli still had some of Sashi’s things. A watch that belonged to Tahir. A couple of pictures. A hairbrush that she’d left behind. He'd use the hairbrush to check against the DNA left on the water bottle. He sure hoped there’d be enough to get a match.

And there was only one person he trusted to help him find out if he was grasping at ghosts or seeing one. His friend, Gavin.

Chapter Four

Asal reached the back of the house, her fingers shaking as she turned the knob and went inside. The place was quiet. She breathed out a sigh.

“Where have you been?”

Fear flooded every inch of her body. She reluctantly moved to the room. Omar sat next to the window. “I’ve been worried.”

She forced herself to relax before he spotted her fear. “I went for a walk.”

“Why did you use the back entrance?”

She tried to read what he was thinking. Did he suspect she’d gone to see Eli? “No reason. I just wanted some fresh air.”

He rose and came over and she fought not to back away.

“You know the seizures come with stress. This trip to the States has been difficult for you. You should rest.”

Asal grabbed for the exit he gave her. “I am tired. I think I’ll go to my room.”

She turned to leave but he caught her arm. “Not so fast.”

Terror worked its way through her mind. Would he know about the phone? She couldn’t let him find it. For some reason, just knowing it was there and Eli was close was comforting.

She slowly turned.

“I bought you something.”

She stared at him, unable to breathe. He handed her the snow globe she’d admired earlier at the souvenir stand.

The relief she felt was physical. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

“You’re welcome. I’ve arranged to have a meal brought by in a few hours.”

She inclined her head and turned away. Asal slowly headed down the hall to her room half expecting him to attack her.

She opened the door before glancing over her shoulder. Omar watched her with that unfathomable look on his face.

Asal stepped inside and closed the door then leaned back against it. The snow globe she’d loved so much now turned her stomach. Something was dreadfully wrong. She closed her eyes. The things that she’d been told no longer rang true.

Fragmented memories that didn’t make sense were flooding her mind. A man—not Eli—but someone she cared for. She could almost see his face. He was a teacher. One of hers?

Asal shook her head and placed the snow globe on the dresser. She locked the door even though she knew if Omar found out he’d be furious. She needed some assurance of safety.

She strode to the bed and removed the phone from her pocket before sitting. If Omar were to find it . . .

Asal slipped it under the mattress along with Eli’s business card, then she stretched out on the bed and closed her eyes.

Soon, the nightmare that was always at the corner of her mind returned, far more terrifying.

Nothing but darkness all around. She shivered from the cold. The pain in her head became excruciating. She was in a windowless room. But she wasn’t alone. Someone was there. She could hear them breathing.

She screamed but there was no one to help her. No one to save her from the man in the dark.

Asal shot up in bed and sucked in breaths. Just a dream. She shivered. Yet it felt so real. She glanced out the window and realized hours had passed since she’d laid down.

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