Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 41918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
“Don’t be ridiculous!” I jump out of bed now, switching from fear to worry for my friend. “This is family. Let’s get you packed and out of here.”
Together, we make quick work of packing a suitcase, and I give her a tight hug goodbye. "Thank you," she says, eyes shining with tears. "I'm so sorry I have to run out like this."
I shake my head. "Don't be. Family comes first. Always. Just call or message me when you can so I know you're okay."
"I will. Promise."
Sarah rushes off with her suitcase, leaving me standing in the doorway of our apartment. It's empty and too quiet without her here, and I know I won't be able to fall back asleep. Not now. I wander back into my room, hesitating. I don't want to be alone. But what choice do I have? It all seems so surreal—just a few minutes ago, Sarah was right down the hallway and I felt safe. Now I'm alone, and combined with the incident with Jason earlier in the day, I just feel off.
I decide that a warm shower will calm my nerves and then I can curl up with a good book. Maybe it will even make me tired.
I start the water and begin to strip, tossing my pajamas into the laundry hamper and stepping under the hot stream. The water beats down onto my shoulders and scalp, relaxing muscles I didn't even know were tense. It's not until the hot water starts to run out that I finally get out, feeling a little better.
I have no idea how long Sarah will be gone, but hopefully, her sister will recover quickly and things will go back to normal. I towel dry my hair, leaving it loose down my back, and pull on a fresh set of pajamas, a matching tank top, and shorts in a pale pink color.
As I'm brushing out my damp hair, I hear a crackling noise and freeze, straining my ears. What in the world is that? Sarah wouldn't come back without telling me, would she? Heart pounding, I set the brush down slowly, creeping to the bedroom door and easing it open.
I poke my head into the hall, listening again. There are no more noises, and everything is just as I left it. No one can even get into the building without a campus key fob, let alone into our apartment. There's no reason for me to be so worried and worked up.
Still, though, I pad quietly to the front door and check that the deadbolt is locked. When I'm satisfied that nothing can get in, I turn back towards my bedroom. And that's when the light flickers.
I jump, letting out a squeak of fright, and look up at the ceiling. This place is old, and the electrical system isn't the best, but I've never had an issue like this before. The light flickers again, and then goes out completely.
"Shit," I mutter, closing my eyes for a second. My heart is racing again, but it's just an old light. Probably something faulty in the wiring, but I'm not about to wait around in the pitch black. It's not worth it.
I feel my way along the wall and back into my room. Keeping one hand on the wall, I navigate around my bed and fumble in the drawer of my nightstand for the flashlight I keep there.
Finally, my fingers close around the cold metal, and I bring it out, pressing the button to turn it on.
And nothing happens.
Shit.
Frantically, I press it over and over, but the light doesn't come on.
"No, no, no, come on," I mutter, smacking the flashlight against my palm. The last thing I need is for the batteries to be dead right now. "Come on, please."
I switch off the useless piece of plastic and throw it aside, sinking to the floor.
There's nothing to do but wait it out, so I try to calm my breathing and focus on the fact that it's probably just a glitch in the wiring, and I'll have the lights back soon enough. Leaning with my back against the bed, I pull my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them. It's just a waiting game. Just a stupid waiting game, and then the lights will be back on, I can sleep, and in no time, it will be morning. Safe, bright morning.
I almost have myself convinced when the fire alarm in the building starts to sound.
5
LUKE
My shift ends at 2 AM, and at 1:50, I can hear the rumble of the second team coming in to guard the house for the rest of the night. We're parked in a cul-de-sac, where a little boy and his mother, who has recently divorced her ex-husband, are staying with her parents. The ex has been skulking around the house, leaving little messages in the mailbox and slid under windshield wipers, but that shit doesn't fly in my town.