Chapter 18
Audrey wasn’t sure how she managed to put one foot in front of the other, to force herself up that long staircase. Maybe it was only Michael moving them all along by the sheer strength of his will. Whatever the case, she kept going, even though the horrible sounds emanating from Kayla’s bedroom kept getting louder and louder, so loud that she wondered how Michael would even make himself heard over those screeches and howls and guttural moans.
They went inside the room. Once again, it was bitterly cold, but even the cold wasn’t enough to mask the stench inside. As Ariel had said, Kayla was tied to the bedposts, not with ropes, but with what looked like torn-up sheets. Her gray T-shirt and leggings were soaked, although with sweat or urine — or possibly both — Audrey couldn’t te
