*****
They survived the wait at Immigration and even found their luggage with minimal difficulty. Luck continued to be with them as they easily got a taxi-cab and headed towards their destination—her apartment. Lucy enjoyed the ride, exclaiming over the large buildings, multi-laned highways, and throngs of people. By time the trip came to an end, even the taciturn driver was smiling over her enthusiasm. As they climbed out of the cab, Mel was uncomfortably aware that her neighbourhood was going to be a let-down for her friend. The rundown buildings, weedy cracked sidewalks and the constant rumble from the nearby public transit was quite a change from Stump River. However, Lucy either didn’t care or notice, instead chattering about what she hoped to do during her visit.
After climbing the stairs—the elevator was out of order again—Mel unlocked her apartment door and pushed it open. Stale air wafted into their faces, only slightly more pleasant than the scent in the hallway, where the smell of boiled cabbage was predominant.
“Here we are, home sweet home.” Mel ushered Lucy inside and shut the door, automatically chaining it, and turning the various locks.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many locks on a door. Do you use them all the time?” Lucy stared in apparent amazement.
Mel nodded. “Yep. This isn’t the safest of neighbourhoods. The crime rate is high; theft, drugs, assaults... You can’t be too careful.”
“But what about the people next door? What if they want to pop in for a visit? All that locking and unlocking must get tiring.”
“Lucy, quite frankly I don’t even know the names of the people next door...” She paused and then qualified her answer. “Well, I do know one person’s name but that’s only because I hear the woman calling it out when they’re...”
“Having sex? You can hear that? Ew!” Lucy wrinkled her nose and Mel laughed at her obvious distaste.
“Yeah. I agree. The walls are pretty thin, but the rent’s cheap.” Mel flopped down on the sofa and closed her eyes. Travelling was tiring at the best of times and this infection, or whatever was wrong with her, seemed to be draining all her energy. If she didn’t feel better by morning, she’d have to go to a clinic; there went more money she didn’t have.
“You look all done in, Mel. Why don’t you go to bed? I can take care of myself.”
Forcing her eyes open, she tried to sound perky for the sake of her guest. “No. I invited you to come with me. Just let me rest for a few minutes and then I’ll head to the corner store and get some groceries.”
Lucy folded her arms and raised her brows. “Nonsense. You rest. I can go out. It’ll be my first adventure in Chicago.”
It was a short lived argument and soon Mel was lying in bed while Lucy left to purchase food. The cool sheets felt good against her hot skin and she began to relax, enjoying the first bit of peace and quiet she’d experienced in several days.
Her eyes drifted shut only to snap open when she heard a voice beside her. Startled, she sat up and looked around, but no one was there. Grumbling about noisy neighbours, she glared at the adjoining walls. She debated banging on the plastered surface but knew from previous experience it would do little good. Instead she flopped back down and put the pillow over her head, determined to get some rest. A moment later, the voice spoke again, the murmuring indistinguishable, yet definitely nearby. Mel stiffened, feeling the hairs rising on the back of her neck. There was definitely someone speaking, another presence close at hand. Slowly she removed the pillow from her face and glanced nervously about, trying to determine the source. It wasn’t coming from the walls or the dead clock-radio beside her bed, yet there was no doubt she was hearing a voice. A shiver ran over her as she recalled the dubious stain that had been on the carpet when she’d moved in. Had it been blood? Was her apartment haunted?
As soon as the idea popped into her head, she scoffed at her own foolishness. No, she wasn’t going down that road again, not after what happened last time at Ryne’s house. Taking a deep breath, she concentrated on the sound. Hmm... It seemed to be...inside her head? But how could that be?
She tugged on her ear and gave her head a shake before listening again. There! It was definitely a voice! Furrowing her brow she tried to decipher what was being said, but the sound faded away to nothing. Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the voice was gone. Mel swallowed and pushed her hair from her face with a shaking hand. Was she losing her mind? No. Of course, not. She was overtired, that was all. Rest was what she needed.
Latching onto the idea like a lifeline, Mel forced herself to calm down. Plumping her pillows, she wiggled into a comfortable position, closed her eyes, and breathed deeply. No voices resounded in her head. A relieved smile crept onto her face. Yep, overtired, that’s all it was. Her muscles relaxed and she sank into the softness of her mattress. Sleep, glorious sleep...everything was calm and quiet...she was just on the edge...drifting away... Darn! The phone rang and her eyes popped open.