Read Online Vampires of the Sun by Kathyn J. Knight - Free Book Online Page A

eyes this time. Norah agreed, still a little unsure if she should interact with him so much but she liked Mrs. Santiago. She worked as a teacher at one of the Austin Community College campuses in town and she loved to bake but without any kids or grandkids at home, she occasionally pawned sweets off onto Norah. The Santiago’s always used bake sales as an excuse or fundraising but Norah had an inkling that they just wanted to give her sweets.
                  “Sure Mr. Santiago. I’ll be home all evening.” She managed to reply before the elevator doors shut. Closing the condo door, Norah looked around. The air felt weird in her apartment. It felt like someone had been inside but looking around for signs of anything out of place or misplaced, she chalked it up to paranoia. Nothing looked amiss.
                  Norah headed to her bedroom, patting Maxine as she passed her lazing about on the couch. She had a lot of homework to focus on, knowing she was falling behind rapidly. Norah managed to wash her face, sit down on her recliner with Maxine curled up in her lap and she had begun the reading before she glanced up, realizing what was wrong.
                  The glass bottle Mauve had given her wasn’t empty. She specifically remembered dumping all of the pills out last night. She’d mashed them down in the sink to get the gel and powder to go down the drain. It had been completely empty but now there were more than before. It was filled to the brim and the cork lid almost had no room to close.
                  Norah ran for her phone at breakneck speed, even sliding past the counter where it was charging from the friction in her socks. She’d saved Jack’s number and it was even on speed dial. Pressing one, it started ringing and just when she thought he wouldn’t pick it up, his groggy voice answered.
                  “Someone’s been in my condo Jack. The maid wasn’t supposed to come today. She sent me a text earlier today saying she couldn’t come because her kid was sick.” Norah tried to calm her breathe so she wouldn’t make any gasping sounds and absentmindedly she heard a soft knock at the door. Leaning against the cool metal she called out to who it was.
                  “Norah, don’t answer your door!” Jack sounded afraid for her but Mrs. Santiago was on the other side. She could see her through the peep hole. She had the cookies as promised and she was by herself.
                  “It’s just Mrs. Santiago. She’s got some cookies or something for me.” She unlocked the dead bolt and turned the handle, trying to speak quickly before she was interrupted by Mrs. Santiago. “I smashed all of the pills last night. Someone came in and put them all back.” She finished as she began to open the door.
                  “Norah, don’t! Don’t answer it” Norah was getting second-hand fear from his fretful voice but the door was already cracked. She hesitated, thinking about closing it despite how rude it would have been but before she could, the door slammed open and she jumped out of the way with a cry. Maxine was barking like crazy from the bedroom, cowering from the uninvited guests. Mr. Santiago was coming through the door with three big guys dressed all in black behind him. “Norah!” She heard Jack cry out as she dropped the phone. She ran towards her room, slamming the door closed and locking it but they were banging hard on the door. It wasn’t going to hold if they kept banging.
                  Looking around, there was nothing to protect herself with. “Norah! Unlock the door! Your therapist sent us. She said you’re having a break from reality. We need to take you to the hospital for observation.” Mr. Santiago yelled from the other side of door. With every thud, her heart jumped inside her chest and she couldn’t help but to give a terrified gasp as tears escaped her