“Wha..? What are you talking about? What’s going on here?” Sybil asked, the specter of danger suddenly became very real.

“I can’t tell you. It would take too long, and you wouldn’t understand it even if I did tell you.”

     Patricia stopped talking as the two heard Adam driving the car up drive toward the garage.

“Promise me you’ll go. Just leave before it’s too late,” Patricia hissed.

     Moments later, Adam came back inside and closed the door behind him.

“Everything seems okay. The tank’s almost full and I didn’t hear any strange noises. Perhaps you were just tired with that, what do they call it? Highway hypnosis!” said Adam as Sybil watched Patricia’s face become composed, unreadable.

“Thank you very much for checking out my car. I’m feeling much better now. I want to thank you two for opening your home to me. I really think I should be going now,” Sybil said, standing up.

“Nonsense! If nothing else, you need rest, young lady,” protested Adam. “At least stay the night, we have a spare room. You can start out again first thing in the morning, right dear?” He directed this to Patricia.

“Well... She does seem very anxious to leave, Adam. Perhaps her little stop was just what she needed.”

“I won’t hear of it. Pat, why don’t you see to the guest room. I can get your bag out of the car for you, Miss. Perth. What do you say? You’re not in such an all-fired rush after whatever it was that just happened to you, you really should make sure you’re in good shape to travel. A few hours rest won’t hurt, now will it?” Adam said, really laying on the hard sell.

     Throughout Adam’s entreaty, Sybil kept an eye on Patricia’s face, trying to reconcile the woman’s desperate warning with the forced sincerity of her husband trying to get her to stay.

     Sybil’s curiosity was getting the best of her. Something wasn’t right about this whole situation, she thought, unable to forget what she saw through the window when she arrived.

“Well...maybe...if it’s all right with the two of you, I could rest here for the night and get an early start in the morning,” Sybil slowly suggested, watching the couple’s faces. Adam’s lighted up with delight while Patricia looked slightly sad.

“That’s great! Pat, would you set out some towels for the young lady? Are you hungry, Miss. Perth? I’m sure we could rustle up something,” said Adam, the picture of hospitality. “I’ll be right back with your bag...with your permission, of course.”

“Thank you, it’s in the back seat,” she said, hoping for a few seconds alone with Patricia.

     As Adam, left the room Sybil quickly turned to Patricia and asked, “What’s wrong with this place? I saw something through the window that I didn’t understand...”

“You must go, before it’s too late. This place isn’t safe for you...it isn’t safe for anyone!” Patricia said in a rush.

“Why? What’s going to happen to me?”

“If you stay, you’ll never leave. No one does...” she warned, her voice trailing off into a whisper.

“I want to help you. What can I do?” Sybil asked, expecting Adam back at any moment.

“There’s nothing. Save yourself,” said Patricia, just before Adam returned with Sybil’s bag.

“I’ll just set this in the spare room and open the window for some fresh air. Pat, see if Ms. Perth would like a little something to eat while I get things squared away,” he said as he left the room with Sybil’s bag.

     Patricia’s face fell once Adam was out of sight.

“I tried to warn you. Tomorrow, you’re going to see for your self. May I get you something to eat, maybe a nice soothing tea?” Patricia asked, resigned to Sybil staying.

“No, thank you. I’ll just say my good night and see you in the morning. Thank you very much for your hospitality,” Sybil said, raising her voice as Adam returned.

“Down the hall to the room at the end on the right,” he said, seeing her getting up from the couch.

     Sybil thanked him and went down the hallway to her room. It was furnished like something right out of a 1950s department store display. Everything looked completely unused, but not quite new. The room had a faint musty smell, a smell of aged disuse. The room looked exactly like something right out of an old Life Magazine ad. She opened the closet and found nothing, not even hangers. The dresser drawers were empty, not even liner paper was present.

     When she walked across the room to check the other door, Sybil found a full bathroom, again looking like it had never been used. She got her toiletry bag and turned on the cold water tap. The faucet gave out a few gasps, spit out a few dribbles of water with a lot of air and then rusty brown water started flowing. Eventually, the water cleared up enough to be suitable for use.

     Sybil brushed her teeth and changed into her night clothes. After returning to the bedroom, she shut off the light and looked out the window. None of the nearby houses had lights on in any direction. Sybil resisted the urge to creep around the house after her hosts were in bed asleep. Disappointed, she resigned herself to waiting to see what the morning would bring.

****

To be continued....     Go to Part 1       Go to Part 3  

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