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“Thanks for staying with me,” Ellis said, but I could see he was shivering and trying not to look too freaked out.
“Of course I’ll stay with you.” I sat beside him on the couch while the police finished.
After collecting an official statement, the police gave Ellis a booklet of information and said they’d be in touch, especially since there had been a string of robberies in the area and Ellis had provided them with a decent-enough description. The men had been wearing hoods and face coverings, but I’d bet Ellis could recognize them in his sleep.
Leonard showed up and promised to reinforce the locks on all the windows in the building. “Keep your window shut and locked for tonight.”
“Will do,” Ellis said as I shut the door behind the super.
When I looked back, Ellis seemed so much smaller than his six-foot, two-hundred-something-pound frame. He straightened his shoulders as if to appear more courageous than he was feeling right then. “How was your day?”
“Fine. I went to my mom’s to celebrate Annabeth’s birthday. I texted to ask if you wanted cake.” I winced. “I figured you were asleep. Now I know why you didn’t respond.”
“Sorry about that.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. Maybe if I’d been home earlier, I would’ve been able to—”
He shook his head. “Our units face away from the parking lot. Besides, no other neighbors heard anything with their air on and TVs blaring.”
He stood and walked over to his beloved plants. He had an affinity for pitcher plants—Venus flytraps and butterworts, in particular—all of which trapped insects. I’d admit it was a fascinating concept, but not gonna lie, I was more interested in his plants at our studio that produced weed.
I padded toward him and helped clean the area the best I could. We got out the broom to sweep the dirt, and he watered the plants, hoping they’d survive after being knocked over and stomped on. His hands shook while carrying the watering can, but I didn’t mention it.
I squeezed his shoulder. “You look exhausted.”
“Yeah, I should get some sleep.” Ellis glanced at his bedroom warily.
“Are you gonna be okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” He motioned toward the kitchen. “I’ve got an edible, so I’ll eat that, shut my eyes, and go right to bed.”
Easier said than done after that experience. But Ellis was the kind of guy who always looked on the bright side, and I could imagine him forcing it from his mind and carrying on like it never happened. It was the exact reason we hadn’t known he was suffering after his split from his wife until weeks later. He just kept chugging along.
“I’ll be right upstairs. Do you… Where is your cell?” I glanced around the room. “Did they take that too?”
He lifted his phone from where it was resting near the lamp. “No, he…kicked it under the couch. Probably to buy them time.”
I tried to picture a shaking Ellis waiting to retrieve his phone and call for help, scared they might come back and harm him. “Fuck.”
“You need to get some sleep too,” he said, padding toward the cupboard in the kitchen. “I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
I stepped toward the door, uncertain. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah,” he replied, though he didn’t meet my eyes.
He’d already pulled out a glass and filled it with water as I shut the door behind me.
4
Ellis
After Nolan left, it was too fucking quiet.
I downed the rest of the water, ignored the edible I’d set on the counter, and kept my eyes trained on the window. As if the thieves were going to return and finish the job or something. It was a ridiculous notion because even if they did decide to double back, they would undoubtedly see all the police cars.
But what if they realized I might be able to identify them? Fuck. My chest seized up, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I walked in circles, sucking in air until the pressure dissipated.
I considered calling my parents, but I’d only worry them. So I’d wait until morning.
Fuck, what was wrong with me? Why was I so shaken over this? Maybe because I was so goddamned helpless, barely able to move a muscle during the scariest event of my life. But I was a big guy. I should’ve been able to take them.
Not when he had a gun aimed at your head. Besides, I was practically begging for my life, telling them to take whatever the hell they wanted just so they’d leave.
I looked at the empty space where the television used to be and cringed. Fuck. They’d gotten my desktop too, but at least not my laptop, which was still packed away in my school bag. But my wallet was gone, and I’d have to call to cancel all my credit cards. In fact, I should probably call off work now so I could handle all that stuff.
