Mind Games - Page 233

He walked straight to the main bedroom because he knew, just knew exactly where it was.

Like he knew the old man would be snoring away, and the woman wore a silk sleep mask. Roses on the table where they had chairs. Long curtains over all the windows.

He’d just slit the old man’s snoring throat and get that out of the way. Then give the slut wife a couple of good pops to wake her up until she told him where to find the safe, the combination.

But he already knew. He knew there were two safes, his and hers. Like they had two dressing rooms. He knew she’d beg for her life, tell him everything, and beg him not to hurt her.

His vision blurred; the room faded in and out.

“Having some déjà vu, Ray?”

For this level she wore leather, black pants, a leather vest, a sword at her hip.

“You’re not here. You weren’t here. I killed them, and I took what I wanted.”

“You did. So much blood, right? That was exciting, but it made too much of a mess, even for you. But I am here, and you won’t kill them now because this is my world.”

At the ripple of pain over his face, she smiled. “Got a headache, Ray? They’re a real bitch, aren’t they?”

“I’ll kill you.”

He lunged with the knife.

She sidestepped, pivoted, then plunged the sword through him.

“Little knife, big sword. I win!”

Blood dripped through his fingers as he groped at his midsection. “No. No. This didn’t happen.” But he stumbled, dropped to his knees.

In the prison room, a blood vessel burst in his left eye, threading the white with red.

“It’s happening now. It hurts, doesn’t it? Dying can hurt. You’re running out of lives, Ray.”

“I’ll get out. I’ll get out, and make you sorry.”

“Here’s the thing, Ray. I’m never going to let you out.”

“You can’t keep me here.”

“Who’s going to stop me?”

He had to believe it, for her to win the game, she had to make him believe it.

“Every time you try to get out, I’ll just kill you again. Every time. It’s your life, and you’re stuck in it, mind and body now, so get used to it. I’m going to skip a few levels, because I’m getting bored. And to be honest, you’re starting to look ragged.”

She felt ragged with the effort of maintaining the grip on him, and on her own emotions. A line of sweat, cold, so cold, slid down her back.

She’d use even that, she determined. She had to be cold. Cold, controlled. Merciless.

The last level, the final push, required all she had. She slid a hand up to close it over the key around her neck. She held the key to unlock her own future, she reminded herself.

And took them both into their mutual past.

* * *

He’d stopped for some road snacks. Gonna head to the beach in his fine new car, get himself some sun. But there she was. Rich bitch with her fancy watch. Thought she was special in her fancy pink dress.

Blue dress? Pink dress? How did the color keep changing?