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Another shot and another beer went down easy while an action movie played on the TV, but my mind couldn’t stop racing, couldn’t stop trying to figure out what the fuck was going on with me lately. So I had another beer and another shot until, finally, my lids grew heavy and I climbed the stairs to my bedroom, undressed, and fell asleep.
Like a fucker who was tired.
Tired and not old.
Chapter 4
Peyton
Today was actually a pretty good day.
I’d graduated, I’d finally completed something worthy and good, something that was going to help make my future better. In August I’d be able to start as a speech pathologist for the school district where I was working, and that paycheck of mine would bump up nice enough that I might even be able to afford living on my own, without a nightmare roomie. Things were looking promising.
I’d bumped into Nolan, my ex, at graduation. I’d sort of been hoping to avoid that, but it was mostly fine. A little awkward when he’d hesitantly asked me out again, not for the first time since I’d broken things off, but we’d moved past it pretty quick and congratulated each other on our graduation, yada yada. It was sweet, I really do wish him well.
And then, it was party time. Lisa and I went absolutely wild in celebration tonight, and now I was feeling buzzed and grinning from ear to ear. Ready for a nice, quiet moment to myself—if Chloe wasn’t still puking in the toilet—before collapsing on my sweet, sweet bed. I took my ass to the convenience store across my apartment building for some horrible, satisfying snacks first, and then finally made my way in.
I stumbled up the stairs to my third-floor apartment feeling great. The alcohol made everything just a little bit fuzzy without making me feel sick or stupid, unlike so many of my now-former classmates—including Lisa and Nolan—I’d left behind at the club. I was a college fucking graduate! Saying those words hadn’t gotten old yet.
Nothing could ruin my good mood. Not even a puking Chloe.
My place was dark as I stumbled in, which I hoped meant Chloe was either gone or dead asleep. If I didn’t see her, it wouldn’t be as bad if I accidentally touched her worn panties stuffed inside the sofa, or dirty dishes inside the fridge. Yeah, inside the fridge.
The place was quiet—eerily quiet—which was unusual since Chloe never turned off the TV in the living room. It was as if she couldn’t stand complete and total silence. Now that I had it, though, I felt a little uneasy.
I crept to my room, making as little noise as possible just in case she was home and decided to come out and chat, or puke on me and tell me it was fine since I was going to shower eventually, anyway. I changed out of my graduation dress, tossing it, as well as my bra and panties, in the hamper. Then I slipped into a pair of lavender pajamas thin enough to keep me cool against this wicked heat.
I headed towards the kitchen for a nightcap. Or two.
But as soon as I hit the hallway again, I immediately regretted going barefoot, because, of course, Chloe left something gross and wet on the floor. I took a few more steps forward and finally smacked on the hall light, grumbling angrily to myself. It better not be puke.
I looked down as light illuminated the hall, noticing thick red smears were everywhere in a swirling pattern from the end of the hall where Chloe’s room was to the other end.
My hazy mind stilled.
What in the fuck? I was frozen in place, too shocked to turn on more lights or even move. Was that…blood?
You can do this, Peyton. You have to move. I inhaled deeply and was hit with the metallic scent that I was surprised I didn’t notice earlier. Breathing through my mouth rather than my nose, I put one foot in front of the other, trying desperately to ignore the way thick, red liquid squished between my toes. I reached inside my bedroom, clicked the door quietly shut behind me, and grabbed the phone that charged on my desk.
I barely heard the dispatcher over the pounding of my heart. “9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”
“Um, shit, I don’t know,” I muttered as quietly as I could get away with, suddenly glad I’d entered sneakily to avoid Chloe, in case someone dangerous was still in the apartment somewhere. “I came home from my graduation, and I think I walked through blood. I think it’s my roommate’s blood. I don’t know. I don’t know what else would be red and pooled all the way across the hall, it’s—someone needs to get here. I… I think I’m alone, but I’m not actually sure.”
“Ma’am, can you locate your roommate?”
“I can’t…” I shook my head, realizing my hands were shaking. “I can’t go in her room. What if she’s dead? What if her murderer is hiding in there? I can’t, please just send the police and the paramedics. Please. I can’t. I just…”
“Alright, ma’am, there’s no need to panic, I’m right here with you. If you’re not sure you’re safe, I’m going to need you to remove yourself from the premises as quietly as you can. Can you climb out your window?”
“No, third floor.”
“Alright, just head out the closest exit.”
I nodded, feeling my heart in my throat, and began walking back out into the hall.
“Ma’am, can you hear me?”
“Y-yes,” I whispered as I opened my door. “I’m leaving.”
