ASHLEY
The reply is instant. Ashley’s phone is functionally a part of her.
what
THE MEN ARE REAL
what men
THE BOOK MEN. THE ONES FROM THE COVERS. THEY ARE IN MY APARTMENT.
elara have you been drinking again
I HAVE NOT BEEN DRINKING
THERE ARE THREE OF THEM
three of what
I DON’T KNOW
okay that feels important
ONE OF THEM HAS A TONGUE RING
okay now you’re definitely drunk
WHY DOES EVERYONE DECIDE THE TONGUE RING IS THE DRUNK PART
why are you yelling
THEY BROKE MY DOOR
The typing dots appear. Vanish. Appear again.
WHAT
I watch the dots pulse and try to work out how a person types four hundred what into a phone.
Out in the living room I hear them talking low.
It’s about me. I can feel it. I have zero evidence and I can feel it.
I lock the phone and put it face-down on my side table like that will help.
I am not okay.
I can’t go out there.
If I stay in here, I’ll fall asleep.
I yawn.
I am going to need significantly more coffee and possibly a priest.
Chapter 18
Erik
