Ell Sadem

FOURTEEN: UNLUCKY DAY

A shiver runs up my back, and I clench my jaw, scanning the neighborhood. I do not know how nor when Robbie and I got separated, but it doesn't settle right. Something is off, and this time it isn't my head playing games with me. Without fail at least some of the elderly couples in the neighborhood can be found working in the community gardens, but despite the early afternoon the raised guarden beds are abandoned and the soil is bone dry. Only the Randall's, a pair of shut-ins who barely have anything to do with their own yard, stroll arm-in-arm through the rows of vegetables. I have seen them only twice while living here, and both when Mom decided to take them food; they both had low ranks. Today, the spaces above their gray heads are empty.

Something is genuinely wrong.

Down the street someone steps out of his house and just stands there on his porch, staring.

A chill runs down my back, my stomach twisting. I step up my pace; I do not like that. Nope. Nope nope nope. I glance at the Randalls as I pass them.

Their eyes are hollow and lifeless as they grin at me much in the sense way the shooter had.

Forget walking. I bolt; why on earth did I think it is a good idea to walk back alone?!

Someone calls after me, but I ignore her. She's one of them. They're all one of them. No one outside has a rank. I should have known better. I should have-No, no that isn't an option. They will get me there too. I fumble for my keys, hands trembling. They fall, and I glance behind my shoulder, shocks of panic tear though me at Mr. Randal's approach. Hurry, hurry hurry!

"Is something wrong, Miss Ellaina?"

My head involuntarily snaps back at his call just as the key slides into the lock and I throw the door open. "Oh, no! Everything is just fine!" I force out a grin before slamming the door shut and locking it, pressing my back against it as I slide down to a sitting position, resting my head on my knees, heart pounding out of my chest and lungs gasping for air.

His footsteps sound on the porch then go silent, the boards squeal as he shifts his weight.

Please, please go. I hold my breath, closing my eyes; I need you to go, man. C'mon. I choke out a breath of relief the moment his footsteps start back again, soon growing fainter until I can no longer hear them.

"Elaina, baby, are you okay?"

I jolt at mom's voice, nearly jumping out of my skin. "Yeah. Yeah Mom, I'm fine." or I am somewhat. I pause, staring at her for a long moment, my stomach in my throat.

Mom's face is thinner than usual accentuating her sharp features and her eyes seem darker. She turns, and I barely catch the hint of a grin. "How were your friend

"What are you talking about?" I shove to my feet, glancing around the room. "I just wanted to go on a walk."

She laughs leering sound that seems to echo in my head as Mr. Randal and the other man both come into the foryar from behind her. "Oh, my sweet little girl, I know because I planned it." She spins on her heels, a devilish grin splitting her face. "Now, be a good girl and don't make too much of a mess when you struggle."

The two men lunge at me, and before I know what to do they have me pinned against the door, someone's arm pressed against my throat.

I try to shove them away, but it seems as if I'm pushing against mountains. Darkness gathers at the fringes of my vision, my world beginning to tilt before it collapses entirely.