I had barely driven two blocks when I realized I forgot my laptop charger. I sighed, turned the car around, and headed back home. It was supposed to be a quick in-and-out.
I unlocked the front door quietly.
That was when I heard him.
“Drink it quickly… before my wife comes back.”
My entire body went still.
The voice was Marcus.
But I had left him alone.
Who was he talking to?
My chest tightened as I stepped forward, each movement slow, careful. The house felt different. Heavy. Like it was holding its breath.
The bedroom door was slightly open.
I leaned just enough to see inside.
And my world shattered.
Marcus stood near our bed holding a small red cup.
In front of him, sitting on our matrimonial bed, was a woman dressed in a loose red robe. Her hair was long and dark, cascading over her face, hiding her features.
He handed her the cup.
I saw it clearly.
It was urine.
“Drink,” he whispered.
My stomach twisted violently.
The woman raised the cup to her lips. She paused for a second… then suddenly her head tilted toward the door.
Toward me.
My heart stopped.
Did she see me?
But just as quickly, she turned back and drank it all.
Every drop.
I almost screamed.
My elbow accidentally brushed the door.
“Who’s there?” Marcus’ voice snapped.
Fear took over.
I ran.
I didn’t think. I didn’t plan. I just ran.
My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might collapse before reaching the front door. I fumbled with the lock—
A hand grabbed my arm.
“Lauren! Why are you running?”
Marcus.
“Don’t touch me!” I screamed, shaking. “Who is she?! Who is that woman in our bedroom?!”
He stared at me like I had grown a second head.
“What woman?”
“The one in the red robe! The one drinking from that cup! Don’t lie to me!”
His face hardened.
“Lauren… there is no one in our bedroom.”
“Stop it!” My voice cracked. “I saw her!”
He let out a short laugh. Not amused. Not warm. Cold.
“Have you been sleeping properly? You’re scaring me.”
The way he said it… calm, controlled… almost concerned.
It made me doubt myself for half a second.
Then he grabbed my wrist.
“Come,” he said. “Let’s go look.”
We walked back to the bedroom.
It was empty.
No red robe.
No woman.
No cup.
The bed was perfectly made.
The air smelled faintly of cleaning spray.
I rushed to the bathroom. Empty.
Closet. Empty.
Guest room. Empty.
I felt dizzy.
Behind me, Marcus chuckled softly.
“You see?” he said. “There’s no one here.”
My hands were shaking violently. I knew what I saw.