“My mom lives with me.” I heard him move and checked my screen to see he was standing. I did the same, but I wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like he could see me. And it wasn’t like I was going to open my door. “I should go. I’m glad you finally answered and that you’re okay.”
I rested my hand on the door, wanting so much to open it.
“I’ll leave these here for you. Enjoy.” He stood at the door, staring at it, for a few seconds, then he stepped out of range of my video. I pressed my ear to the wood, listening for any movement. Any sign he was there.
“Bye,” I whispered as the tears welled.
Would I ever be normal again?
Chapter Four
Hunter
“I tell ya, Mom, I would swear no one lives next to us. It’s so quiet…all the time,” I said, looking out the window. Talk about an amazing view.
“I can relate.”
“You can’t leave much because that right was taken from you. She…I think she’s agoraphobic.”
“Sounds like it. But what you did for her, that was sweet. You took care of her, tried to talk to her. But you can’t make her, you know.” Mom looked up from her computer and smiled.
She had a beautiful smile, even with the seven-inch scar running down the side of her face. So many people couldn’t see past that, though. I could finally look at it without going into a rage, but it took some time. Even after three years, I still get twinges of it—flashes of my father slicing her open in a fit of rage.
Shaking my head free of those thoughts, I focused on the few pillowy clouds dancing around the darkening sky. It was a rare treat I had the night off from the bar, and I’d pounded out my paper due Monday, so I was set to relax…only I couldn’t.
Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t push Lina from my mind. Her face kept popping up, almost knocking me off my feet. At least she’d talked to me. For how quiet she was, she could be dead or something. It’d been over a week since I’d left her the candy corn.
It hadn’t been on her doorstep the next morning, so I knew she’d gotten it. But why couldn’t I get her out of my mind? I’d left my card on the candy gift, hoping she’d reach out by emailing me. That was safe, wasn’t it? I’d read up on agoraphobics and learned that many were very active online. Hell, my mom wasn’t technically a shut-in, and she was online like crazy.
Under a pseudonym of course.
A movie. Distraction would help me get Lina out of my mind. Maybe I’d check out the latest—
My phone chimed. I slid it out of my back pocket and checked the screen. An email message from…Angelina.Holy shit.
I clicked it open and read the subject: Neighborhood Watch.What the heck?
Dear Neighborhood Watch Super Star,
Thank you for leaving a candy treat on my doorstep while out on your nightly patrol. I feel very safe with you walking the halls, guarding the elevators, and hanging around the garage for damsels in distress who may need your assistance.
Your time and devotion to the safety of others has not gone unnoticed, and I wanted to drop you a note to say thank you!
Angelina.
I re-read the strange message six times. This must be her sense of humor. Or she truly was crazy. I hustled to my bedroom and sat at the desk in front of my laptop to see the full message. I fired up the email and clicked reply to her message.
Ding!
I got a message alert. The avatar was a picture of Lara Croft punching someone in the face.
Even more strange.
Three dots lined the bottom indicated she was typing so I settled in my seat, my heart hammering in my chest as if I’d just ran six miles at race pace. It was so strange talking to the next-door neighbor like this; even more strange was the dry humored email and that avatar. There had to be a meaning behind it, and my curiosity made me want to talk with her even more despite my No Girls rule.
Talking online or through a door didn’t count. Did it?
The chime sounded with her message.