Free Psychopathia: A Horror Suspense Novel by Kate Genet Page B

fizzed. Two of the lights in the house kept blowing. They’d replaced the bulbs twice, and yesterday, determined to credit it to natural sources, Tully had rung the landlord and convinced him to send an electrician around. The guy was due at any moment, which was a bugger, because they were all leaving for work. She checked her watch. In about ten minutes.
    ‘Toby? You ready?’ She walked into the little living room and Toby raised his head. ‘What are you doing?’ she asked.
    ‘I’m ready,’ he replied.
    ‘You don’t look good.’
    Lara came into the room. ‘You look like shit, she means. Has anyone seen my earrings? The silver hoops?’ She made to stick her hand down behind one of the couch cushions, looking for them, but Toby pushed her away.
    ‘They won’t be there,’ he said.
    Lara threw her hands up in the air. ‘No, you’re right. Because no one ever gets to sit there anymore, because you’re always asleep on it.’
    Tully chewed on her lip. Lara was right. Ever since the night they’d heard the screaming, Toby had slept on the couch. He’d seen something that night, she was sure of it – something in his room, most likely, because he hardly went in there anymore. She’d tried to talk to him about it, to ask him what it had been, but he’d just stared at her and refused to say anything. But he’d seen something all right, and it had been horrible. Bad enough to make him wet himself. She didn’t know if the others had seen that, but she had.
    ‘Have you checked the bathroom?’ she asked Lara. ‘That’s where most of the stuff turns up.’
    ‘Of course I have. It was my first bloody stop.’
    ‘No luck?’
    ‘ Dur – obviously.’ Lara planted her hands on her hips. ‘I’m sick of things disappearing all the time.’ She narrowed her eyes at Tully. ‘And have you noticed how it’s always my stuff? Why is that do you think?’
    A dim flare of tired anger. They’d had this argument before. A couple times in the last week, in fact. This one and others. At least Lara wasn’t carrying the bloody camera around with her all the time anymore. She’d grown bored of that game without anyone having to say anything. Or maybe just too afraid.
    ‘I don’t know why, Lara,’ Tully said. ‘Maybe because you have twice as much stuff as everyone else?’
    Lara rolled her eyes. Leaned over and poked Toby. ‘Move your arse. We’re meeting Matt before work, remember.’
    Toby held a hand up. ‘I said I’m ready. Ready when you are.’
    A knocking noise – sharp, ratatatat – made Tully jump. She hated it when the noises started. Swallowing, she looked around for her own purse. ‘Let’s get out of here.’
    ‘Yes, please,’ Lara said, and flounced out of the room. ‘I’ll check the bathroom – again – and then we can blow this Popsicle stand.’
    Lara swung her gaze around to take in her brother again. ‘Are you all right, Toby?’ she asked, for the millionth time. He’d lost weight, and even though she knew he’d had a shower this morning, he looked grimy. As though he’d just stood under the stream of water, letting it wash over him without benefit of soap or shampoo. Their boss had already cornered her, asked her what was wrong with her brother – told her to make sure he started having showers again. She hadn’t known what to say.
    ‘Toby?’
    ‘I’m fine.’
    A squeal from the bathroom, followed by some colourful curse words. Lara was getting pretty inventive with her language. But then, they’d never had so much to swear about until now. Tully turned and ran from the room.
    ‘What is it?’ she asked, breathless at the bathroom door, her heart already thumping in anticipation.
    ‘Yeah, you mean what is it this time.’ Lara pointed at the bath tub. ‘Tell me what the hell that means?’
    Tully didn’t have the slightest idea. ‘What is doing this?’ she asked, voice barely more than a whisper.
    Lara shook her head. ‘I don’t know, but I’m sick of it.’ She