This is the second time this has happened. The first was back at that hotel.
I’m a bit out of sorts, but not enough to ignore the red flags the second time around. Yes, I’m probably overthinking it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
It takes some effort to plaster a smile on my face. “I’m going to call an Uber. Thanks for this.”
“You should drink.” His voice drops and has an uncomfortable edge. “You look dehydrated.”
My fingers tighten around the bottle, but I try my hardest not to let it show on my face. “Will do. Night.”
I brush past him and quicken my steps toward the exit. Maybe I can get to the security guard up front.
Now that I think about it, I didn’t see him earlier. Does that mean he left his post? Is this intentional?
The bottle of water burns in my hand, but I don’t dare throw it away in case he’s watching. Please tell me he’s gone.
“Hey, Cecily.”
My spine jerks upright at the tone of his voice. It’s like that night. Like Jonah’s.
Was it only Jonah?
I don’t think about it as I run. I don’t care if I’m being paranoid or if everything seems surreal. Everything will be okay as long as I get out of here.
A giant mass slams into me from behind, and I crash to the floor with a shriek. I kick and fight, my head turning with the force of the impact.
“Stupid little bitch.” Zayn sits on my back, nearly breaking it.
He looks like a demon right now, and his features have morphed into fluid lines reeking of evil.
I try to push at him, to turn, but it’s impossible with him sitting on me as if I’m a chair. He reaches for the water bottle that rolled across the floor due to the impact and opens it.
“You should’ve drunk when I asked you nicely.”
My pulse roars in my ears, but I force myself to calm down and speak as neutrally as possible. “What…what are you doing, Zayn?”
“Aren’t you so smart? Don’t act dumb when you know exactly what I’m doing.” He grabs my face, closes my nose, and the moment I gasp through my mouth, he pours the water into it.
I splutter and choke, but he keeps pouring and pouring, until I swallow half of it, and the other half drenches my face and neck
My hand falls to the floor, unable to move no matter how much I try to lift it.
Every molecule in my body grows lethargic. My limbs go slack, and my breathing slows to a frightening rhythm. As if I’m falling asleep.
But I’m not.
This is way worse.
The body of a demon mounts me like in my sleep paralysis, and I groan, tears gathering in my eyes.
I scream, but no sound comes out.
I thrash, but my arms and legs don’t move.
No.
No…
“Shh.” He strokes my cheek. “Be good, Cecily, and I won’t hurt you.Much.Don’t you hate how we have unfinished business? Jonah should’ve stayed and done what we agreed on that day, but he was repulsed by some vomit and let you go. I would’ve gone through with the plan, but somehow, you got out of the room first and were seen by a few people, so I was a gentleman and even stopped a taxi for you in front of the hotel.”