Chapter 3
It continued saying, "The number you have dialed is unavailable."
After several attempts, Eric's frown deepened.
He muttered, "Why did her phone suddenly shut off? Did her battery run out?
"Whatever, I'm probably just overthinking it. She probably won't be back anytime soon.
"That silly girl probably dropped her earrings before heading out."
Eric chuckled to himself, slipped the earrings into his pocket, and went back to dismembering the body.
After about half an hour, he had broken down all the bones and meat, stuffed them into separate large black plastic bags, and took them to the kitchen.
I was hiding in the closet, crouched for so long that my legs had gone completely numb.
From the kitchen, I could hear water running.
I shifted my numb ankles and, holding my breath, carefully peeked out through a tiny gap in the closet door.
My place had been remodeled a bit; the small room next to the kitchen was opened up to create a dining area, and now the kitchen's sliding door opened into that space.
They had put in a row of cabinets to divide the dining area from the living room.
So if I managed to sneak out of the master bedroom without making a sound, I could make it straight to the front door, and Eric wouldn't even notice.
I planned to sneak out while I had the chance.
As for what would happen after that, I had no idea how things would end up, and honestly, I wasn't even thinking that far ahead.
Right now, all I cared about was getting as far away from Eric, that murderer, as possible.
I opened the closet door and stood still for a few seconds, waiting for the feeling to return to my legs.
Then, holding my breath and making sure not to make a single sound, I tiptoed slowly toward the front door.
One step, two steps, three steps...and there it was, the bright red security door, right in front of me.
Eric was still in the kitchen, totally absorbed in cleaning up, the water running nonstop.
I reached for the doorknob, my knuckles white with tension as I gripped it.
Suddenly, the pounding on the door exploded out of nowhere, making me jolt in shock.
Someone asked, "Monica? Eric? Are you home?"
It was Linda Watson, my neighbor, calling out in a loud, excited voice; she sounded so pumped, like she could barely keep it together.
Just like that, the water in the kitchen went silent.
A chill ran down my spine as I snatched my hand back and looked around. The living room was completely exposed, nowhere to hide except behind the heavy L-shaped couch, which was angled away from the door.
I practically threw myself behind the sofa, curling up in the corner, my heart pounding like crazy.
Eric's footsteps got closer, passing right by the couch where I was hiding as he made his way to the door.
"Who is it?" Eric asked.
His voice was steady, as usual.
"It's me, Linda from next door," Linda called out.
She sounded even more excited now.
Linda said, "I heard some noise from your place and wondered if Monica was back?
"I just baked some cornbread; Monica loves it. It's still warm from the oven."
"Oh, Linda," Eric replied.
He pulled the door open just a crack, not letting it swing wide.
He said, "Monica's not back yet. I was just in the kitchen chopping up some pork ribs for soup. Would you like some?"
"Oh, really?" Linda asked.
Her tone suddenly became skeptical. She craned her neck, trying to get a better look through the crack in the door, like she was itching to squeeze her way inside.
Linda said, "Wait a minute, didn't I see Monica come in earlier this afternoon?
"Did you two have a fight or something?
"Eric, you're an honest man, so don't you go doing anything shady to Monica when we're not around."