Chapter 39

Brook sat in the easy chair in front of the fireplace, diligently working on turning another pair of Lance’s sweats into something she could wear without looking like she had on a bag. She smiled as faint sounds from outside reached her ears; she could imagine Lance and Gilbert doing their special dance, or maybe just frolicking in the snow. Lance really cared for his animals and held a special affection for Gilbert.

A tapping at the front window caused Brook to look up. Expecting to see Lance giving her goofy looks she wasn’t surprised to see his face. But then, her grin turned to horror as she realized that Lance’s head was being dangled in the window by his hair, his neck ending in bloody sinews. Another face popped into the frame beside Lance’s. Jase!

Brook jumped to her feet, a scream erupting from deep inside. Before she could take a single step, the front door flew open and Benny walked in. Brook turned to run, but the rear door, one she had never noticed before, banged open, and Pete stomped over the sill. Backed into a corner, Brook’s head turned rapidly from one to the other, looking for a chance to escape. No, no, no! This can’t be happening! They can’t have found me!

Jase strolled into the room, looking around in admiration. “Nice place you got here, Brooky baby. Don’t mind if we hang out a little, do you?” He tossed Lance’s head onto the floor where it tumbled before coming to rest, his eyes staring at her in accusation, as if to say, why did you let this happen to me? Why did you come here and cause this?

Brook pulled her gaze from the grisly sight and turned to face the three demons who had returned to haunt her, to destroy her, to demoralize her further.

“Close the fucking doors, you idiots,” Jase said with contempt. “We don’t want to freeze our balls off when we start playing with our toy.” He turned to Brook, throwing off his gloves as Pete closed the door. “You ready for some fun, bitch?”

“Hey man,” Pete said. “I get firsts.” He dropped his coat to the floor, pulled his gloves off with his crooked yellow teeth, and reached for his fly. “I ain’t had none since you kilt Gina. I ain’t used to goin' without.” He unzipped and stepped forward.

“What the fuck ever,” Benny snorted. “We ain’t using nothing after you stick that log in. You’ll stretch the bitch so far out of shape we won’t even be able to feel shit. Ain't that right, BrooklynBridge?”

“Benny’s right. Besides, I’m the boss here. I’ll go first.” Jase threw Brook to the floor. He grabbed her pants and yanked, pulling them down in one smooth pull.

Brook screamed for all she was worth, not caring there was no one for miles around.

Gentle hands touched Brook’s shoulders. “Brooklyn.”

Brook fought, slapping, clawing, slugging.

“Damn it, Brooklyn. It’s me! Lance!”

The scuffle continued for a few seconds before Lance’s words penetrated her terror. “A dream! A nightmare! You’re safe.”

Brook's mind cleared and she sagged with relief. “It was so real.”

Lance frowned. “It was probably the sketches. Seeing them had to bring it all back.”

“Oh my god! It was so real. I’m sure you’re right; it had to have been the drawings that brought on the nightmare. But I'm glad we did it. It was hard, but it had to be done.” Brook sank back onto the bed, her heart still pounding. “I’ve been having other dreams, too. Dreams of Clark with Jase or Benny. And I’ve been remembering things. Like Benny with that key to my car. He had a key, you know. And I just can’t understand it.”

“I don’t know, Brooklyn. It’s pretty odd, though.”

“I know it. It haunts me.” Brook felt a growing suspicion, but it was absurd. It made no sense, and she wondered if paranoia was one of the aftereffects of a traumatic experience.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to clear her head so she could relax. But, her mind whirled with unanswered questions and it was some time before it let go enough for her to drift off once more.

Lance sat with her until she fell back asleep.