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in front to hide it. We’ll be safe.”
    “Wow. Thorough, Matt. Thorough,” Danny said approvingly.
    He told Danny that he was Matt? Ugh. Why the charade with me and not Danny? Didn’t think he’d believe it I guess.
    I can feel us moving down, like an elevator. It was squealing and screeching and hot in there, it seemed to go on forever.
    “What kind of place is this? Who has an elevator that goes down in a warehouse?” Danny asked.
    “The kind of people who want to hide things. We can turn off the elevator once we’re at the bottom so no one else can come down after us.”
    “Nice. Thanks man, you saved her. I owe you.”
    “No problem.”
    No problem? Was I ever going to wake up?
     
    Who knows how many floors the elevator went down before we jolted to a stop. A lot or that elevator was slower than molasses. I assumed Danny went to look around because Matt carried me silently to one of the rooms. I felt him maneuver us through the door way.
    A big comfy chair was under me, one that smelled like antiseptic. He set me down in it and took my face in between his hands. I wanted to gasp at his touch and closeness but my body refused.
    “I know you can still hear me in there. I’m sorry I had to do that to you but I had to get you and Danny to safety. It’ll still be a while until you wake up. Listen, I know how this sounds and looks and I can explain everything to you both when you wake up, but I’m not Matt. Matt is dead and I’m sorry to be the one to tell you that. I’m not here to hurt you or Danny. We’re underground a warehouse with only one way in and one way out. The elevator and I have the key. I promise you, I’m not gonna hurt you. I’m here to help.
    “We are gonna be here together for a while so it would be nice if you’d get use to the idea... Sherry,” he breathed my name with such a sweet tone. I could feel his breath on my face. He was closer. “I can’t believe I’m actually here, actually touching you.” His thumb rubbed back and forth over my cheek. “You don’t know how long I’ve... Just try to get some sleep. We’ll go over everything together later, ok. By the way, my name is Merrick. I’ll be around when you wake up.”
    He let his hands slide away from my face slowly, almost reluctantly, then I heard him shuffle from the room. What was all that? Why was he touching me like that?
    I was more confused than ever.
    Could it be real? Did this have something to do with the visitors or the moon? No. This isn’t the...twilight zone. I can’t decide whether to believe this or not. I’m thinking not and he wants me to sleep? Really? Matt already caused me one sleepless night and now this.
     
    Dang it! I must’ve fallen asleep. Wait. My arms, they’re moving but why aren’t my eyes opening? I pulled my wobbly hands up to my face and pried my eyelid open with my shaking fingers.
    The room had a cot and a bed? Looked like a hospital or something? What the... I could feel my eyes start to flutter, back under my command. I could see flashes of light blinking in front of them.
    I didn’t feel right but I felt somewhat back to normal. I couldn’t hear anything but the humming of appliances. Where was Danny? Where was Matt? I got up slowly, fighting to get my bearings and peeked out the room into the hall. This place was huge, rooms and halls all down the way.
    I entered the hall, peeking first. I couldn’t hide in there forever. Wait. Danny!
    “Danny!” I yelled, knowing that it would alert Matt but not caring at the moment.
    I could see Danny in the room next to mine, but his door was locked and he was lying on the bed.
    Matt turned the corner cautiously. I recoiled into the wall, hitting my funny bone on the door knob, letting out a little gasp and rubbing the sore spot. Matt inched towards me, his hands up in front of him as in surrender.
    “Sherry, come on. Let’s go talk. I’ll answer any questions you have, just please, don’t do this. I don’t want you to hurt