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“This one,” they both say in unison.
Now I go first while coming out of the car, shining the flashlight ahead of me as I open the door for Sandra and then Lily, who does not wait for me and runs up the stairs to reach for the key, making me run after her.
“Careful, princess!” I take her arm as she lowers down to flip the mat. “Don’t stray away too far.”
She stands and looks at me, with a defiant smile on her lips. “And what will the strongman do if I stray away?”
Our eyes lock in the dark, but I have no time for a reply because my sister is coming close.
After the huff of one who’s pleased with herself, Lily opens the building’s door, waiting inside as Sandra and I walk in.
“Three flights of stairs with no elevator. Be ready!” Lily points us inside with her thumb.
Three flights of stairs and an ornate, salvaged wooden door later, we’re in Lily’s place.
It’s spacious enough to make it look like she has little furniture. When I move the flashlight around and ask her if anything looks out of place, she says nothing looks to be missing.
“Nice place,” I say, shining the light around. “This is the only exit?”
“There’s a fire exit in the hallway,” Lily says.
“Take me there?” I ask.
She obliges. Sandra, using her phone to navigate the kitchen, yells out, “Lily, I’m going to use your gas stove to heat water for coffee. Oh, and Brody?”
I stop as she continues, “Careful she doesn’t drag you to her bedroom!”
“Sandra!” Lily yells back then turns to me. “I’m sorry…”
“No worries,” I say loudly. “I’ve known my sister longer than you have.”
Sandra goes silent after that.
Lily then stops to open the hallway window and gives me space to look out.
“U-hum…” I get half my body outside. The view isn’t pretty, just the back of another building, but that’s New York City for you.
“This alley gives access to the street?”
“Yes.” Lily is leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
“Hum.” I look down, where a figure moves slowly, coming in our direction. “There’s someone down there.”
Now Lily sticks her head out to observe as well. “A few homeless people sleep here…” She says with compassion.
“Do you happen to have a pair of binoculars?” I ask, knowing it’s a literal shot in the dark.
She pauses for a moment, then raises a finger in the air in an a-ha moment. “Somewhere in my closet! Loan me your flashlight?”
“Sure.” I hand her the little device, and our fingers touch in the process.
Lily disappears beyond the nearest door, while I jump outside onto the metal railing. Needing light, I remember my cellphone, and turn its flashlight feature on.
It isn’t very bright, but it’s better than nothing.
The person in the alley is a male who is wearing jeans and a hoodie, carrying something that looks suspiciously like a woman’s handbag.
He keeps on making progress towards the building, while looking down at a phone and back up at the building, so I decide to climb down the stairs and go meet him.
