Chapter 9

Sands listened as Maggie's breathing slowed as she fell asleep. He hugged her closer and let the darkness overtake him as well.

Sands awoke a few hours later; he figured it must have been quite early in the morning since it was slightly cold and humid. Probably around 5 a.m. Sands sat up then fell back down. He groaned out loud and realized he was all alone. He tried to sit up once more but fell back down. His head felt as if it was surrounded in water.

He sat up slowly, threw off the blanket, and swung his jean-clad legs over the side of the bed. If I had eyes, the room would be spinning by now Sands thought bitterly.

"Maggie?" Sands called out. No answer. "Typical. She's probably got her CD walkman blaring over her ears."

Gradually, Sands stood completely, using the bedpost to lean on. He made his way to the open bedroom door. His heavy footsteps rang loudly on thewoodenfloor of the empty hallway. Something's wrong. Sands thought. His head felt as if it were full of cotton. Grabbing the edge of a chair, Sands cocked his head to the eerie silence filling the apartment.

"Maggie? Hello." he said. His voice was panicked.

What the hell is going on? he thought to himself. I'll try and call her…

Sands walked to the phone, having to lean on objects every-so-often. Picking up the phone, he internally thanked god to have a dial with raised numbers. Feeling each button, Sands dialed her number. 555-6198. Okay Mags, pick up.

Bring, bring.

Sands turned around quickly. Too quickly that he fell to the floor. Her cellphone was home. Picking himself up, Sands lay one hand on the counter while the other was busy rubbing the bruise that was most likely appearing on his forehead. His whole body felt like he was in a state of dream.

"Maggie?" Sands called out once more, his voice now filled with terror.

It was time to pay a visit to Wattley