Page 65 of M for Murder

She managed a weak smile. ‘I’m not out here by choice, you know. I kind of got ditched.’ Bryan glanced up at her. ‘Miranda?’

‘How did you guess?’

Shaking his head, he sighed and gave her a knowing look. ‘Come on, Jennifer,’ he said, hooking his arm through hers. ‘I’ll walk you back to your dorm.’

Jennifer had half hoped to find Miranda back in the safety of their room, but her friend was obviously planning a late night with whoever it was she had gone to see.

She had better not be gone too long. Aside from wanting to sound off at her for the way she’d been ditched, the idea of spending the night alone in the room kind of spooked Jennifer. Despite the warmth of the night, she pushed the window shut and bolted it, remembering how a couple of the dead students had actually been attacked in their rooms. She didn’t plan on leaving the killer an easy opportunity to get in. Before undressing, she also checked under both beds and in the closet, knowing that although she was probably being stupid, she wouldn’t be able to sleep unless she did. Finally satisfied that the room was secure, she collected her nightshirt, towel and toiletries bag and, stopping to lock the door behind her, headed down to the communal washrooms.

They were empty. Jennifer hadn’t expected to find them any other way. Most of the students in her block were probably already in bed. She placed her things down on the shelf unit beside one of the shower cubicles, slipped out of her jeans and T-shirt and hung them on one of the empty hooks. Unzipping her floral-patterned cosmetic bag, she took out her soap, shampoo and a hair clip, and, noticing her room key sitting exposed on the shelf, she slipped it inside the bag before zipping it back up.

After taking a quick glance around the washroom to make sure she was definitely alone, Jennifer stepped into the shower. She placed her soap and shampoo down on the shelf inside the cubicle and turned on the faucet. As she waited for the water to heat up, she smoothed her hair back with her hands, folded it into a knot and clipped it on top of her head, then testing the temperature with the back of her hand she stepped into the warm spray.

While she showered, the thought occurred to her that anyone could enter the washroom and she probably wouldn’t hear them. The hot powerful spray felt good against her skin and the thought was only brief as her body started to unwind and relax. She soaped herself down, pulled off her hair clip and washed her hair. When she was finished, she reached for her towel, wrapping it around her body.

She stepped from the cubicle. The whole room was warm now, and condensation from the heat of the water had steamed up the mirror on the opposite wall. Knowing she was alone, Jennifer pulled the towel free, leant forward and began to squeeze the water from her hair.

A sudden clicking noise behind her made her jump.

Clutching the towel to her breasts she swung round, trepidation sweeping through her body.

Nobody was there.

Although she was certain that she had heard the noise, she knew there was no way it could have come from inside the washroom. The place was empty. From where she stood, all five of the shower cubicles, including the one she had just used, had the curtains pulled back and were exposed enough for her to see that there was no one hiding in any of them.

The noise had made her feel uneasy, though. Quickly she pulled her hair back into the clip then, standing with her back to the wall, she slipped on her nightshirt. It was an old one, but it was her favourite. Short, white and made of soft cool cotton that felt good against her skin. Wearing it made her feel exposed, standing here in the washroom, worried about who might be lurking out in the hallway.

Biding her time before she had to leave the safety of the room, she slowly packed away her soap and shampoo and checked that her room key was still in place.

It was; Jennifer let out a sigh of relief.

She took her toothbrush and paste from the bag. As she brushed her teeth she wondered if perhaps she should go wake up Alex and Karla who shared the room next door to her and Miranda. She knew they wouldn’t object to her crashing on their floor. At least that way she knew for certain that she would be safe. Liking the idea, she spat and rinsed under the faucet.

As she brought her head back up, her eyes came into line with the mirror. The condensation on the glass was slowly beginning to clear. In the reflection, she saw her face.

Behind it, she saw another face. An older, male face that she instantly recognised.

Her first reaction of surprise quickly turned to fear as the eyes bore into hers and a cold smile formed on his lips. As Jennifer started to turn, a scream stuck in her throat. He was too quick for her though and a sharp kick to the back of her knees sent her flying forward. Her chin smashed against the edge of the washbasin, sending her teeth crashing into her upper lip. She tasted blood, felt sharp pain blast through her face and dropped to the floor.

Her head was whirling, fast, too fast to think, and she rolled to her side ready to throw up. Before she made it, her eyes blacked and she passed out.

She awoke to find herself on a hard floor.

At first she thought there was something wrong with her vision.

Everything seemed distorted and fuzzy, and hot. There was no air. Something was covering her face. Something plastic.

I’ve got a plastic bag over my goddamn face!

Everything that had happened came flooding back to her. The washroom, the face in the mirror, hitting the floor, the taste of blood. And then the sudden realisation that she couldn’t actually breath.

I hear he likes to either strangle his victims or suffocate them.

Miranda’s words rang through her head. Who do you reckon he’s gonna go for? Miranda Ingram or Jennifer Isaac?

Miranda Ingram or Jennifer Isaac? Miranda Ingram or Jennifer Isaac?

Frantically Jennifer clawed at the plastic. It was held tightly in place by something that was fastened round her neck. Hot breath from her mouth coated the plastic, steaming it with condensation.