Chapter Seventeen

The Second Floor: Confrontation

 

The following is an excerpt from Chapter Seventeen of Mama Root: The Old Woman of Loop Road

 

 

~~~     “Look, lady…”

          The voice now came from the opposite side of the room.  “Y’aint no gentleman, that’s for sure, so y’aint got the right ta’ be callin’ me ‘lady’.”

          Alexis yelped in astonishment and Chris whipped around 180 degrees.  “Lex, baby, don’t freak – she just walked over there while I was talking.”

          The old woman spoke again, from yet another part of the room.  “That’s right Lex.  What ya’ gotta’ worry ‘bout?  I’m just a crazy old woman, can’t do ya’ no harm.”

          Unlike Alexis, Chris was more angry than scared.  “Look, lady, you can do all the hocus pocus you want, I really don’t give a crap.  You just tell me where the money is, we help ourselves and we’re out of here.”

          This time the voice came from directly behind Chris.  “Money ain’t yours ta’ take.”

          Chris spun around and struck out with a fist, only to have it slash through the air without making contact.  “Son of a bitch! Lex, can you find a light switch?”

          Lex’s only reply was a frightened whimper.

          “Lex!  Find something – a light switch, a candle, anything!  You can use your lighter – there’s no breeze in here.”

          Alexis fumbled in her pockets and produced disposable lighter.  After two nervous misfires, she managed to light the small flame and bring a pale yellow glow to the room.  She was a few paces from the rocking chair in which the old woman had been sitting when they visited.  The chair was rocking, with no apparent means of locomotion.

          “C…h…r…i…s…”

          “I see you – I’m over here by the stairs.  Don’t worry about the chair.  Just find out where the old woman is and keep an eye on her, and look around for the money – it’s got to be down here somewhere.  I’m going upstairs – old as she is she may have silver, old jewelry or something else we can hock.”

          Not trusting the strength of the aging wooden stairs, Chris produced a lighter of his own to illuminate his way, then planted his feet as lightly as possible on either side of the steps to inflict a minimal amount of stress.  Halfway up Alexis broke his concentration. ~~~