The Glass Secret (Chain of Secrets) by Leilani Bennett Read Free Book Online

phone?”
    He spoke at the same time as me, “I didn’t think the telephone worked? The storm knocked it out.”
    “I don’t know if it does or not.” I shrugged, shook my head and eagerly inquired, “By the way, have you seen my cell?” My eyes darted back to the side table.
    His eyes followed mine. “Your cell?” he asked, imitating my pitch. His intelligent expression turned blank. He shifted his analytical eyes, sternly appraising me.
    “Yes. I’m sure there are notes that I had written in my phone or on my calendar app ...I do that sort of thing—you know, making list.” I rambled on under my breath, essentially to myself as I scanned the room for my belongings. “I also probably updated my Facebook page to where I went last...there must be something there that will jiggle my memory.”
    “Actually, we did find an interesting note.” He threw his hand into the air, and his eyes brightened. “Let me get it...but first...please, excuse me for one moment.” He promptly traced over to the phone, pulled out from his pocket a pair of the tiniest scissors and snipped the wires. He glanced over toward me and mumbled something about, the telephone service being overrated.
    I opened my mouth to speak, agape. Suddenly, the words withdrew from my thoughts. Perhaps it was actually the pain in my head that pulled me away from responding. I stared blankly into space. While I was at a loss for words, my mind was ticking.
    Who was this doctor—handyman, and telephone repairman, too?
    I eyeballed him as he stuck his head outside of the room.
    What is he up to?
    He spoke in a malleable whisper to someone whom I could not see. Then exited.
    “What’s going on?” I called to him. It was too late; he was gone.
    My eyes slowly roamed around the room. Nothing but plain bluish-gray walls enclosed me. They were bare. No artwork. I peered upward to the ceiling at the double-bladed fan. It also looked a bit dated like the phone; however, it added a nostalgic touch to the room. I supposed that is what the commercial designer was going for.
    To my right on the side-table was a single lonely lamp providing inadequate lighting. Lonely...hmm, there was a single word describing how I felt. Lonely and single. Or so it appeared that way. No visitors surrounded me with big bright goofy smiles, beaming down like clowns. There were no familiar faces, anticipating stares, or concerned eyes glad to see that I was living. Nothing worthy of a Kodak moment.
    My eyes drew to the left, over my shoulder, and slightly behind the bed where I noticed a heart monitor staring back at me. At least, that is what it looked like. It was turned off.
    A good sign, I thought, considering my condition.
    My eyes bee-lined along the dingy yellowing cord that dangled from the monitor and snaked twice around the bed rail. Overall, it was the most minimalist hospital room I’d ever seen.
    I wondered again what had happened that landed me here. I lay back, exhausted, searching my memory for a clue...
     
     
    -5-
    Sinfully taken!
     
    The door where the doctor exited from reopened, slowly. A dark shadow emerged in the threshold then paused. Illuminated by the dim hall light that mated behind him, I idly studied his lines.
    His physique was far more muscular and taller than the doctor’s. He had remarkably broad shoulders that practically filled the entranceway. Dark, wavy hair framed his chiseled face, and neatly tucked behind his ears, while the ends drifted against his collar. His presence sparked my awareness.
    “Hello?” I breathed aloud.
    “I will get you out of here soon,” he whispered with strong conviction. “Don’t let them erase your memory. Hang on.”
    What was he talking about? I tried to absorb what he was saying, but the distraction of his presence took over instead.
    His intense delivery penetrated my senses. The sound of his voice was smooth and even, his posture upright and confident. So confident that it caused chills to take my breath