The Calling (Darkness Rising 2)

"Not hot."

He reached over, pulled off the lid, and stuck his finger in the coffee.

"Warmer than room temperature," he said. He flipped over the paper to check the date. "Today's."

"I don't see a bathroom," Corey said. "Maybe he's outside, taking a leak."

Kenjii let out a sharp bark.

"Sounds like someone found him."

He walked to the front door. When it didn't open, he put his shoulder into it and pushed.

"Um, try the handle," Hayley said.

"Um, there isn't one."

Corey was right. It was the kind you pushed open from the inside, in case your arms were loaded with supplies. He hit it harder. It didn't budge.

Daniel went over and they both heaved on it. The door groaned, but didn't open.

"Is anyone else getting concerned?" Hayley said.

My pounding heart said yes, but I struggled to stay calm. "Look for another exit." I walked toward the back. "Corey? See if you can get a window open."

"How about a side door?" Sam said. "There's one right here, behind--"

She swore and jumped away from the window.

"It's a trap," she said, backing into the middle of the room.

"What?" I walked behind the counter and found the door. Beside it was another filthy, barred window. Beyond that, I could see two human-size shapes.

I cleared a spot on the glass. "They might not be--"

I could make out Moreno and the woman I'd seen at the cabin. Behind them, a third person was trying to tie Kenjii to a tree. She'd been muzzled and was stumbling a little, as if she'd been tranquilized, but she still fought against the rope. Moreno went to help.

"Kenjii," I whispered.

A loud buzzing sound made us all jump. I found a radio tucked under the counter.

"Hello?"

"Maya. I should have known you'd be the one to pick up."

My hand gripped the radio tighter as I recognized the voice. "Who is this?"

"I think you know."

I moved to the front window. He was there. He lifted his free hand and smiled. I pulled back from the window.

"My name is Calvin Antone," he said. "But what's important isn't who I am, but what I am, to you."

Daniel moved closer. He could hear Antone. They all could. I thought of lifting the radio to my ear, but I knew that wouldn't help.

I walked back to the counter, taking shelter behind it.

"What are you doing to my dog?"