Page 82 of Requiem

Julia 31

The apartment is dark when I come in. Why is it so dark in here? I drop the cello case next to the door and hang my purse on the hook.

“Nat?” I call out.

Silence.

“Natalie?”

I glance at my watch. It’s nearly midnight. Maybe she’s fallen asleep? But that’s not like her. I walk into the kitchen, no note. In fact, there’s no sign that anyone has been in here since I left this afternoon. I walk out into the living room, which is totally still, totally silent and totally empty. I flip the switch for the lights but nothing happens.

“Dammit!” I mutter to myself.

Well, just two more places they could be, if they’re anywhere in this apartment. I take a left down the hall to the baby’s room, which used to be Matthew’s room when we were just roommates. I stick my head in the door first and can clearly see David in his crib by the glow of the elephant nightlight in the corner. I breathe a sigh of relief. Okay, she must be taking a nap in my room. Not like her, but not out of the realm of possibility either. But before I confirm my suspicion, I need to confirm that all is right in David Land. I slip my shoes off in the hallway and pad silently into the room so I can peer over the rail of his crib.

And there he is, my sweet little boy. He’s on his back, looking up at me with a smile. He gurgles softly, kicking his legs as if he’s riding a bicycle. I can tell he’s sleepy, but he wants to play. If I keep things low-key enough, he’ll just go back to sleep. Or, I could just pull him out and smother him with kisses, which is what I want to do. But he’s going to have to wait a second while I track down Nat.

“You stay put, little man. You hear me?” I say softly, and am rewarded with his big, sloppy, gummy grin.

I take a step, continuing to wave at him as I make my way out of the room backwards. I’m almost to the door when I hear a familiar squeak behind me, the hinge of the closet. But I’m a split second too late. From behind me come two strong hands, one grabbing my waist and pulling me back, the other clamping down over my mouth. I try to pull away, but my stockinged feet slip uselessly on the hardwood floor.

Oh my God! Oh my God!

All I can think about is getting away from whoever – whatever – this is and getting David out of here. I start to struggle, kicking at the person behind me, clawing at his arms, slamming my head back against his chest. But I’m only succeeding in wearing myself out. Then I feel breathing, hot against the side of my face.

“Shhhhhhh,” his voice whispers soothingly in my ear.

I shake my head violently, defiantly, but I’m no match for his strength. Jeremy’s strength. Who else could this possibly be? Just the thought of it makes me dig my nails into his arm around my midsection.

“Hey, knock it off, Jules!” he demands, and my suspicion is confirmed.

Son of a bitch! He’s in my home! He’s been in here with my child. I’m not scared now, I’m furious. I twist and writhe and try to slam my weight down on his instep, but he’s too fast.

“Enough!” he hisses in my ear as I try to get a garbled scream past his hand. He pulls me hard up against his body, his face so close that I can smell the beer on his breath.

“Listen to me, if you don’t settle down right now and do what I say, little David isn’t going to be smiling for very long. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

Oh, Christ.

My heart sinks as I realize I’m totally and completely stuck. It’s not just me anymore.

“Do. You. Understand?” he repeats the question, more gruffly this time.

I take a deep breath through my nose and try to calm myself. I give him a slow, grudging nod.

“Good!” he chirps, his tone suddenly pleased. “Now, if I take my hand off your mouth, can you keep quiet?”

I start to nod but he stops me.

“Wait. Think about it for a second, because you screaming is the difference between life and death. Do you need a second to calm down?”

Strangely enough, I do, though how he could have possibly anticipated that, I have no idea. I nod again. Yes, I need a second.

“Fair enough,” his voice says softly. “Go ahead and breathe in, through your nose.”

I do as he instructs. One breath. Two breaths. The third time, I feel my breath catch in my throat and I start to cry.

“You’re going to suffocate like that,” he informs me coolly.