Banging Reaper (Pounding Hearts 1)

What’s a guy like him doing on online dating sites? Especially ones that are free. What’s a guy like him wanting to do anything with a girl like me?

The elevator ride isn’t long enough. I’m not ready yet, I’m so not ready.

I step out when the doors slide open. Now I’m in a tiny hallway. There’s a security door in front of me. It’s unlocked and open a crack. I’m unsure of how to proceed.

“AJ?” I call out.

I can’t see anything through the crack only darkness. There’s no answer. Maybe that’s just another hallway.

I push open the door a bit more but beyond is only more darkness. The elevator dings behind me, it’s leaving.

“AJ?” I call out again.

First, I check my phone for any messages. There are none. Then I shoot AJ a quick text.

Me: Do you hear me?

I hear a phone ding. Is it his? That’s really weird. It came from somewhere in the darkness.

I send another text to see what happens.

Me: I think I’m lost?

A phone dings again. It must be his.

“If you’re trying to freak me out, you’re doing a very good job,” I say.

None of this makes any sense. Did he lure me here as a prank? Is he taking video of me or something to post for laughs on the web?

I turn, I’m done with this. I’m going to push the button for the elevator and go home.

My phone dings and vibrates. It’s a text from him.

AJ: Come in. I have a surprise for you.

Me: No way. This is serial killer type of stuff.

AJ: You know I’d never hurt you. Trust your heart.

My heart can’t be trusted, but I guess if AJ really wanted to hurt me, he could come out and grab me before the elevator makes it back up.

Dammit. Here goes nothing. YOLO

Chapter Six

I step into the darkness. My heart is pounding so hard I’m afraid it’s going to bust right through my chest. I’m taking slow, steady breaths, trying to keep myself calm. I really want to hyperventilate. What am I doing?

I’ve never had the best night vision. The light of the hallway is casting enough illumination that I can vaguely make out the shapes of furniture but not much else.

“AJ?” I call out.

Why is it dark? With the kind of money he seems to have surely he can afford to keep the lights on. Maybe there’s a light switch around here?

I step to the left and feel up the wall. My fingers slide across the grainy plaster but find nothing to flip or push.

“AJ, this isn’t funny.”

What kind of surprise could he possibly have? Are a bunch of people going to jump out and shoot confetti at me? I don’t hear anyone, it’s deathly quiet.