We Spread by Iain Reid

Author:Iain Reid
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2022-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

I tiptoe along the hallway until I pass by the dining room, and when I do, the lights come on. I hear someone in the kitchen. Maybe that’s the clang Ruth and I heard. She must have gone back to her room. I know I should just keep going, go back to my room, but I hear the noise again. There are many sounds in an old house like this. That’s just what Jack said.

I step slowly through the empty dining room, one hand touching the wall for support. It’s not as cozy when it’s empty and dark. I feel a draft as if a window is open. I get to the door of the kitchen. I push my hand against it, curious where the noise is coming from, and the door opens, just a crack. There’s barely enough space for me to see inside.

I open the door wider and step in. The light doesn’t come on automatically. It’s dark, but I can make out a long counter, shelves holding pots, pans, and plates. I had no idea the kitchen was this large. It seems to keep going and going. Why doesn’t the light come on? I wave my hand, hoping that will flip the sensor. But it doesn’t.

I hear the noise again, look up and see movement at the end of the kitchen. I see a person. It’s Jack.

He has his back to the door, so he doesn’t see me. I take two indecisive steps toward him. He suddenly swings around to face me. His white shirt is unbuttoned. It’s sweaty, and he has something in his hand. He’s holding a glass of wine.

“Jack?”

I step closer, trying to see better. He’s muttering to himself under his breath.

“All I do is work, work, work. Every day. She’s obsessed. For what? I don’t even go outside. But I have no other options.”

He looks aghast, panicked, ashamed.

“I started working here, thinking it would be temporary. But it’s not. I can’t leave!”

He sees me. He looks right at me.

“I’m a coward,” he says. “We’re all cowards. We’re all scared of the same thing.”

“What are we scared of?” I ask.

He wipes at his face. He’s crying. I shouldn’t see this. I shouldn’t be in here.

Jack downs the rest of the glass. And then he laughs. It’s more a snicker, but it’s a strange sound, like pain. An injured animal. His eyes are dark. His face is unreadable. I try, but I can’t speak. I can’t make a sound.

What are we sacred of? I try to say again, but this time I can’t get it out. I stomp my foot, hoping it will reverberate, but it doesn’t.

I turn and walk out as fast as I can.

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