𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒆 | ✔

4 | Plain Sight

ELIOTT. THE NAME felt sour on her tongue as if it was some foul word. Eliott. Lottie snickered dryly, making fists as she waited in silence for a noise, movement - anything. 

It had to be eight am by now, she decided, which meant work started an hour ago. A mumbled excuse to her boss later and here she was, sitting on her couch, eyeing the front door. 

Lottie shivered, willing her heavy eyes open. Last night, she had slept for an hour at most because she had to be ready. If that stupid excuse of a sibling were to come back, she'd be there to ripe him for answers; ripe him dry. 

But why? Why had he come back to her after all these years? Was it not clear enough that she could barely look at him anymore? 

She scoffed, wiping at her eyes. I guess not. Then, with a sigh, she stood and wandered to the back windows and carefully looked them over. No new marks had been left, so she nodded, running a hand down her face. This was going to be a long day. 

Lottie buzzed back to the living room, collected her cup, then returned to the kitchen. She had finished her second cup of caffeinated coffee an hour ago; it was time for another. "All because of that note," she mumbled. "Well, all because of my brother."

As she made her way back, she blew at her freshly brewed coffee. Then she lowered to her couch, giving a glare to the door. How long would she do this? Until he comes back, Lottie decided. Until I get my answers. 

After yet another hour, she laid sprawled on the couch, her empty cup on the floor beside her. She couldn't keep this up, she realized, and sighed. Slowly, she managed upright, gathered her cup, and began for her bedroom. 

Just before entering her room, she stopped at the mirror to her left and turned. "One day... it will be gone." Then she nodded to herself, feeling the side of her face. "One day you'll be normal, just like everyone else."

-

There was a knock, and then another. 

At this, Lottie snapped awake, already rolling out of bed. As she hurried down the brief hallway, her heart pounded with anticipation. "The moment I see you," she snarled, "you'll be running for Auntie." Then she swung the door open and paled. 

"Charlotte?" The name was croaked, Penny taken aback. "What's the matter?"

Lottie forced an exhale, hand to her chest. "Penny, what are you doing here? You know I'm always at work by now!"

"Exactly," the woman said, playing with her bracelet, "so why are you here?"

"I-"

"Your car's still here." Penny searched her eyes, narrowing her own. 

Lottie fixed her with a scowl. "Why did you even bother to check? My car's a little ways away, so you can't see it from here... You would have had to walk the path, so why?" Then she crossed her arms, shifting. "Why did you even bother?"

"As I said before," Penny said matter-of-factly, "I've never lost a neighbor and I'm not about to lose one now. Considering we've got a stalker, I see no reason why I shouldn't keep a tab on you." And with that, she waved her off, already nearing the tall-standing bushes. 

"Wait!" Lottie said, surprising even herself. 

The woman came to a halt, turning around with a huff. "Do you know how much it takes out of me to check in on you so much? I've been up half the night again, barely any sleep. Then, after a night of watching your hous-"

"-I'm sorry."

Penny studied her neighbor, then nodded stiffly. "It's... fine."

"Just come in and visit." Lottie moved aside, gesturing her into her home. "I can make you some coffee or something."