No Escape

And so home they went a few weeks later. Courtney was delighted to see them, as were Lauren’s parents, whom Shania found to be very easygoing people. They knew they were taking a risk, but they felt it best to get on with their lives, even though they would continue to use their aliases. To keep running would be allowing Hoffritz to control them even from the grave, and that was the last thing they wanted to do. Shania got in touch with Mindy, who was delightfully surprised to learn that she was back in the area. They got together, though not too often. “How do you like living with Lauren and Courtney?” Mindy asked her when Shania went to visit her and her new roommate, Sally. “It sure beats motels,” Shania answered. “We get along well. Lauren and I share one bedroom and Courtney’s got the other. The living room is basically used on a first-come, first-served basis. If we come in to find Courtney in the living room watching a movie we don’t care to see, we go watch what we want to watch in our room. Courtney spends a lot of time at her boyfriend’s place, though, so Lauren and I get a lot of time alone. It works out quite well. Lauren and Courtney work, and I take care of the place.” “Didn’t you say Lauren’s now a manager?” Shania nodded. “She landed a job helping to manage an apartment complex. They pay surprisingly well, too.” “Wow, that’s good. I’m really happy for you, girl. For a time there, I wasn’t so sure I’d ever see you again.” She put a hand on Shania’s shoulder. Shania smiled with understanding. “Neither was I.” “But you survived and made it through.” “Yes, I guess you could say that I did.” Mindy’s look turned serious. “Listen, Shania. About my roommate—” “Hey, don’t feel guilty,” Shania assured her friend, knowing what she was going to say. “I told you to go ahead and do what you had to do. Thanks for storing my stuff at your mom’s place in the meantime.” “Oh, no problem.” “I’m just glad the cops didn’t badger you too much.” “Me too, though I would have played dumb all the way.” “I know you would have, but fortunately you didn’t have to.” “Did they harass anyone else?” “No, I’m surprised to say. They only went to Lauren’s place and questioned Courtney once. Same with Lauren’s folks.” “That’s good.” “So,” Shania said with a sly smile, “are you and Sally really just roommates, or perhaps a little more than that?” Mindy giggled. “Perhaps a little more. We’re taking it slow, you know?” Shania nodded. The two friends chatted a while longer, then Shania began the short walk back to the condominiums. “Courtney and her boyfriend are going to be in Vegas all weekend, so Lauren and I will have the place all to ourselves over the next few days.” “Ooh!” Mindy drooled teasingly. “Have fun.” “Oh, we will,” Shania assured her as she walked off. “Take care, and good luck with Sally.” “Don’t need any, but thanks anyway,” Mindy called after her before she turned to head inside. Shania picked up her pace. Life was good, she thought, realizing how well things were turning out, and it was even better to know that she didn’t have to worry about Maureen. She enjoyed the ten-minute walk through a maze of side streets. It had recently rained, leaving a fresh smell in the air. Flowers were abloom everywhere with blazing color, and the lawns were a vivid shade of green. She headed up the path to the condo’s front door and went to insert her key into the lock. Before she could, however, she saw that the door was slightly ajar. She pushed it open and called out to Lauren. She would certainly be home from work by now. But why would she not shut and lock the door behind her? she wondered, stepping into the living room. “Lauren,” Shania called out. Someone came out of the kitchen, but it wasn’t Lauren. It was a young teenage girl with disheveled auburn hair. She came to within a few yards of where Shania stood and grinned. It was a slow, malicious grin that sent icy waves of fear rippling through her. She was too confused to see it at first, but recognition was now setting in. This was the girl from one of the photos in Hoffritz’s office. Perhaps it was his daughter. The girl’s yellow shirt was spattered with red streaks. “How the hell did you get in here?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. The girl said nothing. “Where’s Lauren?” Still nothing. “What do you want?” Shania demanded, panic beginning to rise within her. Finally, she ran past the girl and into the kitchen. Lauren was slumped over the kitchen table, bloody and dead. Her eyes were open, and they stared up at her helplessly, as if to say she was sorry things had to end this way and that there was nothing she could do to change the horrible fate that awaited her, though she had tried. Aware of the girl approaching her from behind, Shania opened her mouth and screamed—and screamed, and screamed…