The French Honeymoon
A few months later
Bubbles simmer quietly on the water’s soapy surface. Underneath, her pale skin is creamy, her hair undulating like tentacles. Daylight seeps through the bathroom’s window, making the brand-new tiles shine.
It was her choice, the minimalistic style, white with a few touches of black. It reminded her of this beautiful hotel suite in Paris, so chic. The guests have been raving about it; it’s all over the reviews.
Recently renovated and simply beautiful. We loved staying at the Qu’inn while visiting the Hudson Valley. The two sisters who own it did a wonderful job. Definitely recommend!
After a moment, her bluish lips rise, regaining some of their original color as her face breaks through. She takes in a lazy breath, as if she hadn’t just been deprived of air.
It’s the middle of the afternoon, when everyone is out, and she turned on the music loud on her phone’s speakers, something pop and upbeat. She bobs her head sideways, miming the lyrics, even though she doesn’t know them.
The last few months have been stressful, to say the least. She never imagined it would be this much work, that it would take all of her strength and energy.
At last she can relax, feel at peace with herself.
Her dance moves are a little too abrupt in this confined space, and suddenly she slides down, her head once again dipping below the water.
Her pruned hands grip the tub’s sharp rim and she pulls, but something holds her back.
Someone.
An arm wraps around her neck, pressing her down.
Another one grabs her wrist, flipping her onto her stomach.
Now both of her hands are held tight behind her.
Her shoulders hurt, but it’s the least of her problems. She tries to throw her head back, as hard as she can, to get some air.
But as she rises to the surface of the water, she is pressed back down more forcefully.
She tries to kick her legs around, fully aware that time is running out. She must do something, tell someone.
I know what you did.
You’ll never get away with it.
Nothing happens for a while. She just floats away, her forehead bumping against the hard bottom of the brand-new tub.
The surface fizzes for a few angry seconds.
And then the bubbles vanish.