Free The Hand That Feeds: A Horror Novel by Michael W. Garza

Angela said.
    John could tell she was talking to him and not the man in the hall.
    “Oh , I’ll be coming,” the man said.
    John could hear them push and pull at one another.
    “Get off me,” she said now sounding scared.
    John prepared himself. He closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath. He was about to step out into the hall when Angela’s voice stopped him.
    “Just wait,” she said. Her tone was more relaxed, coaxing.
    “Forget it,” the man said.
    John could tell he was further away.
    “I don’t get it,” the man said. “You bring me back here. You give me the signs , then go and turn all Ms. Prissy on me.”
    John risked a glance out in the hall and didn’t like what he saw. Angela was standing by herself, her back against Alex’s door. She was naked except for her heels. The man was back at the entrance to the hallway in the living room. John could tell by the look on her face that she’d seen him. He was stunned by her and couldn’t help, but stare. He stood there mesmerized by her body, despite of everything going on.
    “I’m sorry,” Angela said.
    The shadow of the man moved in the hall and caused John to pull back. He heard him take a few steps and then stop.
    “It’s just that it’s been a long time for me,” she said.
    John could tell she was back in control of the situation and she knew it.
    “Is that right?” the man asked.
    “You have to be gentle,” she said.
    “Oh, I can be gentle.”
    The man continued down the hall , then a second later, the sound of lustful kisses filled the enclosed space. John was angrier than before, and seeing his naked wife made the situation worse. In his head, he could see the man rubbing his dirty hands over her body.
    “I want to go in here,” the man said.
    Angela hesitated. “My bedroom’s right down here,” she said.
    “I don’t want to go in there,” the man said , sounding clearer than he had before.
    “This is my son’s room,” she said.
    “He in there?”
    “No, but-”
    “Then who the hell cares?” the man said. “You can wash the sheets before he gets home.”
    John knew he had to act. The man wasn’t going to be swayed into the bedroom. John readied himself again, holding the hammer firm. The sound of Alex’s door opening filled the hall. John panicked as he took a step out. He couldn’t see Alex’s door or the man. Angela was in the doorway, her butt covered by the man’s hands. John crossed the distance in two steps, but froze when he heard a noise from within the room. The moan was loud and angry and the sound of it made John shake with fear.
    “What the hell is that?”
    John heard the man’s question and the panic in his voice. Angela was trying to pull away from him, but the man clamped on to her and wouldn’t let go.
    “What the hell’s in here?”
    John couldn’t will himself to move. The moaning turned to a snarl like a wild dog. Angela pulled herself away and grabbed a hold of John. She tried to get the hammer from his hand, but he wouldn’t let go.
    “What is this ?” the man asked. “Get off me.”
    Angela stopped as the man screamed. She leaned toward the door and then pushed John with all her might. John stumbled back and lost his balance. He hit the ground with a solid smack and the hammer slid across the floor under the bed.
    “Damn it.”
    John lifted his head and saw the man step out of Alex’s room, slamming the door behind him. Angela was standing in front of him, blocking the way.
    “Get him, ” she said.
    “Get who?”
    John knew she was screaming for him. He flipped over on his hands and knees and reached under the bed.
    “Get the hell out of my way.”
    John heard Angela cry out followed by a loud slam against the wall.
    “I don’t know what the hell your problem is, give me those,” the man said.
    “Damn it, get him. ”
    “Your freaking dog bit me,” the man said. “You are crazy. I bet you did get put up in that hospital.”
    John heard the front door open and