Chapter 13

A Little Game I'd Like To Call..

"Darling, let's not be ridiculous! Come out. Let's talk about it."

The words haunted me as I crawled on hands and knees about the floor of the machine room, the feeling of dirt and dust beneath my palms; the longer I remained close to the grime, the more confident I remained my asthma would trigger. I just had to make it back to the "Welcome Home" sign and after that, it was a matter of looking for a way out. Yet I could hear Eddie skulking around the room, the dirt crunching beneath his large boots. "You'll run out of places to hide, my darling. I know you're not like the others…." He was now heading for my very grant of freedom, that large opening in the wall – the very first place we met.

"Or are you just another whore?" That last word stung pride and quite possibly an insecurity regarding my interests. In a quick fit, I punched the leg of the table I was under, scurrying across to a table feet away. He teasingly stopped and looked around, even glancing behind him and from the window's humble light, I could see the sick sneer. He knew I was in this room and he knew I only had one way out; it was now a patient game of cat and mouse. He walked on, moments later singing along with the recording of that dastardly song. Eventually, it ended only to begin again only this time, Eddie's voice did not join. Was he even still in the room? I stood, brushing my soiled dress off in the process of wiping my hands off and using that window light, I found a clear walkway free of tables and the chance of bumping into something.

It appears Eddie created a distraction, a light shining behind a shield of sheet and I could see him standing behind it. Except he did not move. Did he really intend to wait there to do me in? Part of me felt amused and I chuckled in a state of panic though I was sure he wouldn't hear me over the repetitious chorus of song. There was a shuffle above my head and because I had no intention of proceeding into the adjacent room where Eddie stood in wait, I decided to investigate. Maybe I'd find a lost soul to corrupt, hell Eddie found dozens. As I approached the stair, a voice emerged. "….I hear something, I swear."

Great, another killer. WHY DO I FIND THE KILLERS?

I hadn't much time to reflect as running footsteps approached. Instinctively, I ran and decided I wouldn't stop until I was forced to stop. My heart pounded damn near out of my chest as I approached that large sheet. I closed my eyes as the corner came in sight and as I rounded, my eyes popped open again to be met with a gruesome display – one that actually turned my stomach. A headless body propped into a birthing position complete with a head in front of an opening and another body next to it, holding hands. I immediately ceased running, bringing my hand to mouth in an effort to avoid vomiting. The smell of rotting flesh blending in with mildew and a rusty copper scent of blood certainly was enough to invite nausea; the scene just a cherry on top. Upon closer inspection, I could see a human eye inside the "pregnant" stomach.

So this standing body is what I saw on the other side.

But then where is Eddie?

I suddenly remembered my current situation and turning to run for the "Welcome Home" sign – that omen of safety – I found a locked door between us. Again my frustration spilled into action as my fists came to meet the door in a fruitless pound. I proceeded into a nearby room, running down a clear aisle between tables and tables of sewing machines, boxes, and other junk. These things, the last time I remembered seeing them, in the room with the pregnant body. Except I didn't make it this far and had no idea where to go; the room ahead was dark and there was little idea what was inside. I looked back towards the music, no one yet; I had more time to consider what little options. What if this was a dead end? I imagined a mouse trapped in a corner and with a deep breath, I ran as straight as I could into this black hole of a room. Until I ran smack into a wall. I could hear someone messing around in the other room and quickly, I moved against the wall. My hope wilted until a change in texture beneath my fingers – a change from cement to wood with a glass frame in the middle. A door! Two at that. With hurried glee, I swung one of them open and shut it just as fast. However behind me I heard steps and my head curved now facing Eddie…no his shadow. On the wall located on the other side of a steel wire door connected to a match wall of gate. He was coming my way. My breath immediately caught in my throat and finding a more solid door of a lightless barren room directly across, I quietly sauntered inside. Rather than risk the chance of a closed door resulting in noise, I cracked it to not only avoid suspicion but peek until I knew he'd passed. I found a space between two silver shelves and ducked where only his feet would be in my line of vision. Once again I was the prey with a new set of priorities which meant a new method of survival. Stripped without a weapon strangely felt awkward, my violent ambition growing the longer I went astray without one and this weighed on my patience. Until his shadow set a cast over the slit in the door.

"DARLING!"

"Shit!" I screamed in a whisper, honest tears filling my eyes. How in the fuck did he find me? Just how in the fuck did he know?! My head turned to the damp and dark ceiling and grabbing onto the shelf for support, I pulled myself to stand. If this motherfucker was coming, there was no way I would go easy. I positioned myself behind it as his shadow moved over the door and I felt more than ready to push the steel as hard as I could to inflict some sort of pain.

But my chance to attack would have to wait as he continued on. Curious, I snuck back to the door to watch him slip into the door that originally locked. If he had access to the locks on this door, I became positively sure he had access to the rest, which meant my movements were limited. Damn you Eddie.

I wandered around the room in a last effort to find something useful and I came across another door; swinging it open revealed a hallway, surely the hall Eddie emerged from previously.

"Did I frighten you?"

I walked to the gate. He wasn't there but goodness did his voice carry. The only question remained: just who in the hell was he talking to? It then crossed my mind my pursuers mistook the other for me. What a saving grace. With an exhale of relief, I continued on down the hall, a few of Eddie's mannequins posed in the hall with posters and easels. If he weren't a serial killer, he would've been a killer designer – pardon the pun. Another gate awaited me at the end of the hall. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, the door attached was locked. My next option – a door to my right. Inside another room of junk. And to think I was to live here, well die here under Eddie's demands. In that moment, I had never been sure to get the fuck out of there. Now I was bored as I maneuvered through the dark, bruising my hip with every table I bumped into. Finally my passage ceased at the door with a cabinet pushed in front. Gluskin.

Famine and exhaustion fell over me making me physically ill and I doubled over, sliding down the side of the steel cabinet. Visuals kicked in, similar visuals where my surroundings darkened fading in and out of clarity. Now a black cloud hovered and now I realized why I didn't feel up to par – the Walrider.
"No." I muttered, my eyes batting slowly in attempt to stay conscious. "Fuck. Not now." Again, I wanted to vomit but after deep breaths, I comfortably settled as the black figure vanished along with the visuals. In the moment to collect myself, I reflected on the last two hours including the lovemaking experienced.

If it was indeed Eddie's first time, I couldn't believe it. He adjusted particularly well in every position, studying my face to find what roused me most. My mind settled specifically on the missionary position, Eddie kissing against the arch of my foot with each penetration, something I really adored. And for once, I actually enjoyed giving a man oral pleasure for Eddie finally doted and after stern rejection, his fingers embodied satisfaction, running through my hair.
My fantasy shifted to cowgirl as Eddie pinned my arms down on each side forcing me to lean forward to effectively move and suddenly, the imagery changed. My hands around his neck as my orgasm convulsed against his pelvis, intensifying each second he was devoid of oxygen. I snapped awake to the sound of a body hopping over a surface, their feet landing in a light yet resounding manner. And that body held onto a camera. I immediately attempted to jump up finding myself weaker than I originally considered.

"Who the fuck are you?!" I regained my footing against the steel cabinet, frantically foreseeing a plan to get out though my hope dwindled by weakened state. The man only lowered his camera.

"Who are you?"

I studied him; a gentle look beneath an appearance similar to my previous opponents. Except there was nothing maddening about his approach; he only appeared cautious and rightfully so given the predicament. Obviously he was another patient but it struck curiosity as to how he obtained that camera. And its purpose; why was he carrying it around?

"No matter, is there a reason you're following me?"

"Following you? I'm pretty damn sure you have me confused with the lovely fucking gentleman they call the Groom."

The vulgarity. I liked it but masked my motives.

"And you must be the bride."

My dress. I completely forgot I was still wearing it. "Guess you can call me that. Apparently, I'm not the only one." The last statement struck a nerve, his face twisting into one of question. I chuckled at his lack of awareness, deciding to avoid the explanation."Never mind."

As he took a step back against the table, his head swerved in an effort to look behind him. Eddie was still chasing him, which means Eddie's trail would eventually end here. And if he saw me…
"Shit." My exasperation caught his ear and once our eyes locked, I wasted no time explaining. "Can we agree to work together? Help me push this shit out the way and we go our separate ways." I offered as if the guy had an alternative; this door was the only way out.

"I have any other choice?"

See. I mentally kicked myself.

Obviously a rhetorical question, given as he walked over to where I stood and put the camera down on top of the cabinet.
Almost immediately, we began to work in tandem shoving the large object aside though it took time and with each passing moment, tense anxiety grew.

"Does he call you darling?"

Mr. Cam threw a puzzled yet infuriated look and my lips folded to prevent the smile and laughter that wanted to burst from my lips; however, I maintained a serious face.

"No seriously. Because we're technically married." I flashed my ring.

"As am I. And frankly, I'm not sure my wife would appreciate an affair with a married man."

Cam man had a sense of humor. A wife. And had yet to say anything regarding killing. He didn't belong here.

"I thought the female patients were all gone."

"Apparently not." I replied blandly swinging the door open. "Thanks for the help."

I heard his camera beep behind me. "Wait!"

I peered from the door into the hall, spotting a dark corner a few feet away from a lit area before I gave him my full attention. "What? We can't stay here!"

He didn't have a chance to reply as I ducked out of the room, resorting to my hands and knees as I waited for the man to follow. I still had my questions myself.

No sooner than he stepped into the hall, a familiar mating call – the one that could make even the craziest nutjob go running with his dick between his legs – rung into the quiet hall. My eyes instantly tightened.

"Darling I'm certain we've met somewhere before!"

I jumped at the touch of fabric against my shoulders. A red light flashed as my eyes adjusted in the darkness. Mr. Cam was next to me.

"HE FOLLOWED YOU HERE." I shouted in a whisper, although my depreciation for his presence plunged at the thought of how helpful he'd been. But now we needed a diversion.
"Forget it, there's an elevator shaft there. That's the source of light." How he knew, I had no clue or time for more questions.

"Well let's call it!"

I stood only to be pulled by the hand at the same moment my husband and I came face to face. Again.

"You minx." A sick, bloody yet sexy grin developed across his lips.

Author's note:
So I was asked how long this story was meant to go and just to clarify, though the chapters are short, you can expect at least 10 more chapters after this. Chloe hasn't gone full on mental. ;) Another chapter coming soon! Please enjoy. xoxo

- FLCN