Eerie by Blake Crouch Jordan Crouch Read Free Book Online

doctor’s not what I need.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because I’m not sick the way you think I am.”
    Grant exchanged a glance with Don, and then said, “Paige, if you say you’re clean then I believe you.”
    “I’m not talking about drugs.”
    “Then I’m lost,” Don said. “What’s making you sick?”
    She shook her head.
    When it was clear she wasn’t going to answer, Don said, “Paige, how about we just try the hospital? You don’t have to tell them anything. Just let them examine you. Take your vitals.”
    Paige sighed. “I can’t.”
    “You can. I’m parked right around the block. All you have to do is stand up and walk out that front door. Grant and I will do the rest.”
    Paige finally looked up, tears shining in the firelight.
    Her eyes darted to the door. “It’s not that easy.”
    “I know it’s diff—”
    “You don’t know. You have no idea.”
    “Then tell us,” Grant said.
    Her eyes flicked from Don to Grant and back. “I can’t leave the house.”
    “Why?”
    “I get sick if I try.”
    “You look pretty sick right now.”
    “This is nothing compared to what happens if I go out that door.”
    “Have you ever had a panic attack, Paige?”
    “Yes. That’s not what this is.”
    “Then what is it?”
    “You won’t believe me.”
    “Paige.” Don touched her shoulder. “There is no judgment in this room.”
    “I’m not worried about you judging me. I’m worried about you committing me.”
    Grant said, “Whatever it is, I already believe you.”
    She looked at Grant. “Don’t say that if you don’t mean it.”
    “I mean it.”
    “Something’s keeping me here.”
    “ Physically keeping you from leaving?” Grant asked.
    She went silent, but her eyes were pleading, desperate. Grant came over and knelt on the floor beside her.
    He said quietly, “Paige, is there something you can’t tell us?”
    Those words ripped her apart.
    She leaned over into the cushion, and everything seemed to release at once in a rush of tears.
    Grant pushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.
    “What is it, Paigy?” he whispered. “What’s doing this to you? Is it a client?”
    She shook her head. “It’s in my bedroom upstairs. Under the bed.”
    “What is?”
    “I don’t know. Something that shouldn’t be.”
    Grant noted a sickening chill plunge down his spine, prompted by a realization he’d been fighting against all his life: his sister was crazy.
    He glanced down at the mattress poking out from underneath the couch.
    “You’ve been sleeping down here, haven’t you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Because you’re afraid to go upstairs.”
    She nodded into the couch.
    Grant looked up at his friend.
    Don said, “Paige, I just want to make sure I understand exactly what you’re saying. Something under your bed is keeping you from leaving the house.”
    “Yes.”
    “And you don’t know what it is?”
    She shook her head.
    “Are you talking about a flesh-and-blood person?” Grant asked.
    “I told you. I don’t know.”
    Don said, “Sometimes, we sink down to these bad places in our lives and we lose the ability to distinguish between what’s real and what’s—”
    “I know how fucked-up this sounds, okay?”
    “Do you want my help, Paige?”
    “That’s the only reason you’re still in my house.”
    Don said, “Then come with me.”
    “Where?”
    “Upstairs.”
    “No.”
    “We’re going to walk into your bedroom—”
    “I can’t—”
    “—and I’m going to show you there’s nothing in there that has an ounce of power over you. Then we’re going to do whatever it takes to get you better.”
    Paige sat up. She was trembling. “You don’t understand—we can’t go in there together.”
    “Then I’ll go by myself.”
    Paige struggled to her feet. She said, “You don’t have my permission to go upstairs,” but the edge in her voice was ebbing.
    Don said, “I fully respect how real this feels to you. But I’m going to go up there, have a look, come