One rainy night, p.17
One Rainy Night, page 17
As if sharing a silent cue, Lynn and Cassy both raised their arms at once.
‘Please,’ Cassy called out.
‘Everyone just calm down,’ Lynn snapped. ‘We’ll be all right.’ As the group quieted down, she looked at John. ‘Tell them, honey.’
Fighting his own fear, he lifted his voice. ‘The guy’s right. If we’re overrun, we’re in deep trouble.’
‘John!’ Lynn gasped.
‘So we have to make sure that doesn’t happen.’
‘Good plan,’ said the humorist.
‘I do have a plan,’ John said. ‘First we arm ourselves and take our positions. Like I told you, my group mans the doors. Then we let ‘em in.’
‘What?’
‘He’s flipped.’
‘That’s the craziest damn thing I ever heard.’
‘We let ‘em in one at a time.’
‘Oh, right. Sure.’
‘One at a time, two if we can’t help it. Yank ‘em in, slam the door on the rest, take care of the ones we’ve got. Put ‘em out of commission one at a time, thin out their force.’
Lynn squeezed his arm. Cassy frowned at him, nodding, her lips a tight line. Steve shook his head. ‘That is crazy,’ he said. ‘Let’s do it.’
4
‘What’s the deal with Lisa?’ Cyndi asked when Buddy and Doug came back into the room.
‘She’s just fine,’ Buddy said. ‘Wants me to take her out tomorrow night. That’s if things are back to normal with the rain.’ ‘Has she had any trouble?’ Sheila asked.
‘Nope.’
‘Maybe everyone else is OK,’ Lou said. ‘Maybe it wasn’t the rain that made Maureen do that.’
‘It was the rain,’ Maureen said.
‘Why don’t we turn on the TV and see if there’re any reports about it?’ Lou said.
‘Feel free.’
He got up from his chair, went to the television and turned it on.
Buddy sat down beside Maureen. She stiffened as he reached toward her. But he frowned and drew back his hand. Looking from Cyndi to Sheila, he shook his head. ‘I guess I didn’t realize how much I still . . . care for Lisa.’
‘Yeah,’ Sheila said. ‘You’ve really been acting like you care for her.’
‘I know,’ he muttered.’ I know. I feel like a. . .a pig.’ He met Maureen’s eyes. ‘Look, I’m sorry. I’m sorry about all this, about everything. I just don’t know what got into me.’ He contorted his face to show his misery.
This is all a damned act, she thought.
‘At least you had an excuse for your behavior,’ he said. ‘The rain got you. You couldn’t help what you did. I just . . . I feel awful. Can you forgive me?’
Maureen said, ‘I forgive you.’
What’s going on? she wondered.
Lou, squatting in front of the television, flicked from channel to channel with the volume low.
Buddy turned and looked at the others. ‘I’m going to take her home.’
‘You’re kidding, right?’ Cyndi asked.
‘No, I’m totally serious.’
‘You idiot, you raped her. You can’t just let her go.’
‘I won’t tell,’ Maureen said.
‘I believe her,’ Buddy said. ‘She tried to kill me. ‘To Maureen, he said, ‘We’re even, right?’
‘Yeah.’
‘You’re out of your gourd,’ Cyndi told him.
‘I’m all for it,’ Sheila said. ‘I think he should take her home.’
‘It’ll be risky,’ Buddy said. ‘But it’s the right thing to do.’
‘Since when have you cared?’ Sheila said.
‘I never should’ve . . . messed with her. Talking to Lisa just now . . . God, I’ve never felt so rotten.’ He glanced from Doug to Lou. ‘You guys’ll come with me, won’t you?’
Maureen’s stomach went cold.
‘Now hold on,’ Sheila said.
Lou turned off the television. ‘Nothing,’ he said. ‘Just the regular shows.’
‘So, you in with me?’ Buddy asked him.
‘You mean, taking Maureen home?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Sure.’
‘I don’t know,’ Doug said. ‘We shouldn’t leave the gals here alone.’
‘They’ll be a lot safer here,’ Buddy pointed out. ‘We don’t know what’s going on in the streets. That’s why I want you two along with me – in case we run into trouble between here and Maureen’s place.’
‘Just put her out the door,’ Cyndi said.
‘Good idea,’ Sheila said.
‘I can’t do that.’ He gave Maureen a miserable, guilty look. ‘I owe her. After all this, the least I can do is make sure she gets safely home.’
‘What’re you trying to pull?’ Cyndi asked.
‘I’m not an animal, for godsake. I feel bad, OK?’
‘Yeah, sure.’
‘I think it’s the right thing to do,’ Lou said. He turned his eyes to Sheila. ‘Don’t you think so?’
‘I guess. But what about me and Cyn?’
‘You’ll be fine here,’ Buddy said. ‘We’ll be back before you know it.’
‘This really sucks,’ Cyndi muttered.
‘What kind of car do you have?’ Buddy asked Maureen.
‘A Jeep. A Cherokee.’
‘We’ll have to take that. My folks went off in the BMW, and we can’t all fit in the Austin. Where’s the Jeep, out front?’
She nodded.
‘Do you have the keys?’
‘No.’ She rubbed her face, and tried to remember what she’d done with them.
In my coat pocket.
She’d taken off the coat, thrown it down on the front lawn just after the rain got her.
‘You can’t even get to her Jeep,’ Sheila said. ‘You’ll get wet.’
‘I’ll cover up and go after it,’ Buddy told her. ‘I’ll pull it into the garage. That way, they won’t have to worry about the rain.’
‘You have it all figured out, huh?’ Cyndi said. She gave Maureen a sweet smile. ‘And guess what happens to you, cutie, when the three of them get you alone.’
Maureen didn’t need the hint. She’d already figured it out. ‘I trust them,’ she said.
‘We’re not going to lay a finger on her,’ Buddy protested.
‘Who’s talking about fingers?’
‘I’m not gonna touch her,’ Lou said, giving Sheila a solemn look.
‘Me neither,’ Doug said.
‘If you do,’ Cyndi told him, ‘I’ll know it. I’m gonna check you out when you get back.’
He laughed. ‘Is that a promise?’
‘Damn right. And if you think I won’t know the difference, man, you’ve got another think coming.’
‘Jeez, can’t wait.’
‘If they try anything,’ Buddy said, ‘I’ll bust their heads.’
‘Yeah, sure.’
‘I left the car keys in the ignition,’ Maureen said.
‘Thanks.’ He slapped her thigh, but not very hard. Then he got up and hurried from the room. Maureen saw Doug and Lou exchange glances. She heard quick thuds as Buddy raced upstairs.
Doug slipped an arm around Cyndi’s back. ‘How’s about a little something for the road?’ he asked, and pulled her closer.
‘Get real. I’m sure I’m gonna get you all turned on and then you go off with her.’
‘Oh, come on. Be nice.’
‘We’ll see about being nice. When you get back.’
‘Please?’ He put a hand on her breast. She shoved it away. ‘Come on. There’s no telling what might happen to me out there.’
‘I know what better not happen.’
‘We could all get killed.’
‘Wouldn’t that be too bad.’
‘If it’s that dangerous,’ Sheila said, ‘you shouldn’t go.’ She faced Lou. ‘I don’t think I want you going out there.’
‘We’ll be careful.’
‘He doesn’t want to miss his chance at Miss Pizza Pussy,’ Cyndi said.
‘That’s not true,’ he snapped.
Sheila stared at him. ‘If you do fool around with her, you can just forget about me. I mean it. I won’t have anything to do with you. Ever.’
‘I promise. We’re just going to drive her home. Honest. I don’t even want to go. But I have to. They’ll need me if there’s trouble.’
Maureen heard Buddy rushing down the stairs. Her heartbeat quickened. It pounded so hard that she felt sick. Her lungs seemed tight, constricted. She couldn’t bring in enough air to fill them. Her hands, pressed tight against her thighs, were wet and cold.
Take it easy, she told herself. Don’t let them suspect anything.
Buddy came into the living room. He wore a black raincoat, heavy gloves of red leather that looked as if they were designed for snow skiing, and rubber boots that reached nearly to his knees. In one hand was an umbrella. He was grinning. ‘This oughta do the trick, huh?’
‘Haven’t you got anything for us?’ Doug asked.
‘What for? No need for anyone to leave the car except Maureen.’ He looked at her. ‘You can use this stuff when you go to your house.’
She nodded. She knew it was a lie, like everything else he’d been saying. When they finished with her, they would just throw her out.
They won’t get me in, she told herself.
‘OK,’ Buddy said. ‘You folks can take her out to the garage and open the door for me. I’ll be with you in a minute.’
That’s about how long I’ve got, Maureen thought. About a minute before he gets to the Jeep, sees that the keys aren’t there, and comes running back.
She got up from the sofa, ‘Be careful,’ she said, and squeezed Buddy’s arm through the slicker. ‘Don’t get wet.’
He looked a little surprised. He smiled. Maureen held onto his arm, and they walked together, the others close behind. When they reached the foyer, she released his arm and stepped away. He opened the umbrella. He raised it overhead, pulled the door wide, and said, ‘Here goes nothing.’
‘Don’t get any on you,’ Doug warned.
Buddy’s smile looked a little nervous. ‘No way,’ he said. Then he stepped out.
Maureen swung the door shut and locked it. She snatched up the dangling guard chain and fitted it into the slot before a hand yanked her arm away and spun her around.
‘What the hell are you . . .’ Cyndi blurted.
Maureen’s fist crushed her nose. Cyndi stumbled backward, crying out, clutching her face. She bumped into Sheila. They both staggered away, Sheila grabbing the girl to keep her from falling. ‘Guys!’ Sheila cried out.
Lou stood there with his eyes wide, his mouth hanging open. Doug hurled himself forward, slamming Maureen’s back against the door. As her breath blasted out, she wrapped her arms around him. She squeezed him tight against her body. He squirmed, trying to get loose. Until her mouth found his lips. She kissed him hard. His mouth opened. She thrust her tongue in. Then he was moaning.
‘Doug!’ Lou shouted.
‘Look what she’s doing!’ Sheila cried out.
Maureen let go of Doug and pulled her shirt up. His hands went to her breasts.
‘Make her stop!’
As Doug’s greasy hands groped her breasts, Maureen tugged open his belt.
‘Oh, my God,’ Lou muttered.
‘Lou!’
She unfastened the button at Doug’s waist, pulled his zipper down.
‘Stop her, damn it!’
She slipped her hand down the front of his underwear, curled her fingers around him. Gently stroking, she eased her mouth away. Doug, writhing, sucked the side of her neck. ‘Lou,’ she gasped. ‘I want you, too. Now. Quick.’
‘Don’t you . . . !’ Sheila let go of Cyndi and grabbed Lou’s arm. While Cyndi sank to her knees, Lou shoved Sheila hard. ‘You bastard!’ she shrieked.
Lou came forward. He was gasping, his face scarlet.
Maureen held Doug’s penis with one hand. With the other, she pushed his pants down around his thighs. ‘On your knees, honey,’ she gasped. ‘On your knees.’
‘Buddy’ll kill you!’ Sheila blurted.
Cyndi looked up, but didn’t move. She just knelt there, bloody hands cupped to her nose, eyes blinking.
Lou came in from the side as Doug, on his knees, pulled Maureen’s shorts down. She took Lou’s hands and pressed them to her breasts. They stayed there, fondling her. She felt Doug’s mouth between her legs. With a hand behind Lou’s head, she drew his face to hers. She kissed him.
Sheila, letting out a wild squeal, launched herself at Lou. She yanked his hair, pulling him away. Lou whirled around, swinging at her.
Maureen shot her knee up.
It caught Doug under the chin, hurling him backward.
Lou’s fist missed Sheila’s chin. She plowed into him, driving him back, snatching his hair again with one hand. As Sheila’s other hand raked his cheek, Maureen yanked her shorts up and leaped over Doug’s sprawled body. He grabbed her foot, but she jerked it free.
She ran.
Ran from the foyer, through the dining room, into the kitchen.
Heard nobody in pursuit.
Snagged the door latch down.
Tugged open the sliding glass door and rushed outside into the rain.
5
‘You bastard! You bastard!’ Sheila cried, driving Lou back to the wall as she punched him and clawed him and tore at his hair.
‘Stop it!’ He caught one of her hands. The other punched his cheek. ‘She’s getting away!’
‘You bastard!’
Then Doug was behind Sheila, throwing his arms around her, hurling her aside. She tripped over her feet and hit the floor hard.
‘Buddy’s gonna kill us!’ Doug yelled as they raced for the kitchen.
‘We’ll get her,’ Lou gasped.
‘We’d better!’
We’re screwed, Lou thought. The bitch! Made me do that right in front of Sheila.
He knew Sheila was done with him. All Maureen’s fault. And Buddy would go ape when he found out they’d let her get away.
She hasn’t gotten away yet!
In the kitchen, Lou saw the open door just as Doug lurched to a stop.
She went out?
Maybe a trick.
Lou halted beside Doug. They both scanned the kitchen. No Maureen. No spaces where she might be crouched, hiding. No cupboard or pantry doors that looked large enough to conceal a person.
Their eyes met.
‘We’ve gotta get her,’ Lou gasped.
‘Here goes nothing.’ Doug rushed outside, Lou at his back.
The warm rain splashed Lou’s face, tingled against his scalp, soaked his clothes. And he realized he’d been foolish to fear it. There was nothing bad about this rain. It felt great. He spread out his arms and tilted back his head, moaning as a strange excitement pulsed through his body.
He ached with desire.
For a moment, he didn’t know what he desired. Then it came to him.
His head snapped down and he grinned at Doug.
Doug, already turning, rushed him. Grinning, too. Teeth white in his black face. Doug dropped low. He drove his head into Lou’s stomach. As Lou’s breath exploded out, he glimpsed Maureen.
Someone, anyway.
The black smudge of a head that seemed to be floating on the surface of Buddy’s swimming pool several yards away.
But he didn’t care. He cared only about the pain in his belly, the hot desire pounding through his blood. His chin hit Doug’s back, crashing his teeth together. He was carried backward and down. As his rump struck the patio’s concrete, he grabbed Doug’s sides. The momentum slammed him down, but he kept his grip on Doug and the boy tumbled over him, landing on him, mashing his face. His teeth clamped down on the seat of Doug’s jeans. Felt flesh under the heavy fabric. He bit hard and Doug yelped and flinched.
He tried to catch Doug’s head between his thighs. Got it for an instant. But the head twisted free. He spread his legs, hoping to scissor it again, but the head dropped and struck his groin.
Pain blasted his body.
Through the daze of agony, he realized that Doug had scurried off him. He rolled onto his side, clutching his genitals and curling up.
6
Maureen, watching from the middle of the pool, wanted to join in.
Rip them up. Tear their flesh. Lap up their blood.
Yes!
She slipped beneath the surface and swam for the side and thought, Am I nuts? They’re at each other. This is my chance to get away.
Her urge to savage the two boys was gone, leaving her with a heavy feeling of repugnance.
How could I even consider . . . ?
The rain.
Oh, Jesus.
The black, warm rain. It had soaked her when she dashed from the house, and she remembered how she’d suddenly wanted to turn around and rush back inside and kill them all. But she’d been moving too fast to halt herself before plunging into the backyard pool. The water had engulfed her, and the urge had passed. It had returned when she stood up and watched the boys come out.
The same vicious impulses would take hold again if she came up for air.
Some rain on my head, I’ll be just like them.
Staying underwater, Maureen turned herself around. She breast-stroked for the middle of the pool, angling downward, fighting her buoyancy that was like a balloon in her chest trying to lift her to the surface.
Gotta stay down!
Her lungs burned. They seemed to be squeezing themselves tight, wanting to force her breath out to get ready for fresh air.
Maureen let the breath slip from her mouth. As she felt herself begin to sink, she tugged the baggy gym shorts down her legs and off.
She draped them over her head.
She guided herself slowly upward and broke the surface, the shorts hanging like a big, floppy hat. She sucked air into her lungs.
She was facing the deep end of the pool.
And the diving board.
She slipped beneath the water, caught the sodden rag as it started to drift away, and swam for the board. She needed to get under it. There, she might be able to breathe without the rain touching her, making her crazy.
