|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Someone was down low, peering in at her. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She sat up fast. Too fast. The sudden motion made her head spin, her vision cloud, her stomach churn. She grabbed the rim of the tub, hunched forward, threw her legs wide and vomited between them. The spasms wracked her. Pain throbbed through her head. Tears filled her eyes. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When she was done, she stayed bent over. She gasped to catch her breath. Water pounded against her head and shoulders and back. It ran down her face. She blinked the wetness of water and tears from her eyes. While she watched her mess spread out and slide toward the drain, the dizziness faded. It left confusion, shame and fear. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm naked in someone's bathtub. Who is that guy? What's happening? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He's the guy I tried to smash with a rock, she realized. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why the hell did I want to do that? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'Hope you didn't get any on you,' he said. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maureen didn't look at him. She stopped holding onto the side of the tub, and wrapped both hands around her upthrust knees. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'What's your name?' he asked. He sounded friendly. The friendliness seemed mocking. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'Name's Buddy,' he said. 'I'm gonna be your buddy.' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
He touched her back. His hand moved gently, making slow circles. |
|
|
|
|
|