Captive Read Online Free PDF Page B

Diana's house, now louder, now softer.
    She waited a long time, listening to the quiet sounds. She felt relaxed, until she thought about getting up-then her heart started to pound.
    At last she was sure Diana must be asleep. Now, she thought. If you don't move now, you never will.
    Breath held, she shifted her weight in the bed and let her legs down. The hardwood floor creaked slightly as she crossed it, and she froze each time.
    Outside Diana's door, she stood straining her ears. She could hear nothing. She put her hand on the door and slowly, by infinitesimal degrees, she pushed it open.
    Carefully, lungs burning because she was afraid to breathe too loud, she placed one foot inside the threshold and let her weight down on it.
    Diana was a dim shape on the bed. Please don't let her eyes be open, Cassie thought. She had the horrible fantasy that Diana was just lying there staring at her. But as she took another slow, careful step inside, and another, she could see that Diana's eyes were shut.
    Oh, God, Cassie thought. I have to breathe. She opened her mouth and exhaled and inhaled silently. Her heart was shaking her and she felt dizzy.
    Take tiny steps, she thought. She crept farther into the room until she was standing directly beside Diana.
    On the nightstand, just a few inches from Diana's sleeping face, was the key.
    Feeling as if she was moving in slow motion, Cassie put her hand out, placed it flat on the key. She didn't want to make any noise, but as she slid the necklace toward her, the chain rattled. She closed her fingers over it and held it tightly.
    Now to get away. She forced herself to creep, all the time looking over her shoulder at the bed-was Diana waking up?
    She reached the cabinet, and the little brass keyhole.
    Fit the key in. She was fumbling; her fingers felt clumsy as sausages. For a moment she panicked, thinking, what if it isn't the right key after all? But at last she got it in and turned it.
    The lock clicked.
    Hot relief swept over Cassie. She'd done it. Now she had to get the skull and call Faye- and what if Faye didn't answer? What if Diana's father caught her phoning in the middle of the night, or if Diana woke up and found the skull missing . . . ?
    But as she eased the cabinet door open the world blurred and went dark before her eyes.
    The hall light was shining into the cabinet. It was dim, but it was clear enough to show that all Cassie's caution had been in vain, and all her fears about getting the skull to Faye were pointless.
    The cabinet was empty.
    Cassie never knew how long she stood there, unable to think or move. But at last she pushed the cabinet door shut with shaking hands and locked it.
    If it's not here, then where is it? Where? she demanded frantically of herself.
    Don't think about it now. Put the key back. Or do you want her to wake up while you're standing here holding it?
    The journey back to Diana's nightstand seemed to take forever, and her stomach ached as if someone were grinding a boot there. The key clinked as she replaced it on the nightstand and the chain stuck to her sweaty hand. But Diana's breathing remained soft and even.
    Now get out, she ordered herself. She needed to be alone, to try and think. In her hurry to get away she forgot to be careful about placing her feet. A board creaked.
    Just keep going, never mind, she thought. Then she heard something that stopped her heart.
    A rustling from the bed. And then Diana's voice.
    "Cassie?"
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FOUR
    "Cassie? Is that you?"
    Sick dismay tingled down Cassie's nerves. Then she heard her own voice saying, as she turned, "I-I was scared ... I didn't want to bother you ..."
    "Oh, don't be silly. Come lie down," Diana said sleepily, patting the bed beside her and shutting her eyes again.
    It had worked. Cassie had gambled that Diana had just woken up that instant, and she'd been right. But Cassie felt as if she were reeling as she went over to the other side of the bed and got in, facing away from Diana.
    "No more