Three Eleven Thirteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

I demanded Ellie stayed in the house, and away from the windows until I came back. I walked out of the house with my heart pounding, and absolutely no idea what to do other than hope Ellie actually listens. 

I thought about calling someone to fix the window, but I thought against that at the last moment, and decided I could do it myself. That way nobody would have to come over, and Ellie won't go berserk.

I don't have the faintest idea how to fix a window, all I knew was I had to get the glass from the hardware store, and hope for the best. I'm sure the internet wouldn't fail me now.

I walked into the hardware store, and had to wait for nearly two hours for someone to help me get the right sizing of glass.

As each minute passed, I felt myself grow more and more anxious. Ellie has never been home alone freely. For him to be alone this long is terrifying for me and for him.

Finally, I got the glass, put them safely in my car, and sped home as quickly as I could, hoping to avoid all police in the process. If they only knew I had a creature like Ellie to get back too, I think they'd understand. Thing is, I can't afford a speeding ticket. I can't afford much after the storm, and having to pay so much for these windows.

My paintings only earn us so much.

I pulled into the driveway and quickly got out. Staring at the house, the door was still locked shut, so at least he didn't try to get out.

Get out the front door, anyway.

I unlocked the door, and walked in. "Ellie?" I called his name, and when I received no reply, I began to feel nearly sick with fear.

I called his name again, and then again. Still nothing.

Panic is the only word to describe how I feel right now. My mind suddenly began to think of nothing but the worst of any possible situation that could occur.

Ellie escaped through one of the broken windows. He is attacking random innocent civilians like they are nothing but mere animals. All because of me. He hates people all because of me.

I searched the upstairs of the house, and then the bottom. Out of desperation, I decided to check the basement. I nearly stumbled down the stairs because I ran down them so quickly. I let out a relieved cry when I saw Ellie standing over a table, with a black glove on one hand, he was holding a bottle of clear liquid that was bubbling. In the other hand, he was holding an empty flask.

"Ripley." He said, in a voice full of such innocence, it almost seemed impossible he could easily rip someone apart if he wanted to.

As if there was no point for me to worry at all.

"Ellie?" I said breathlessly, "What are you doing down here? Why didn't you answer me when I was calling for you?"

He shrugged, "You were gone a long time." Was all he said.

"You could have had the decency to answer me, do you know how scared I was?" Really, I was just relieved that I found him.

"You thought I left." He said almost to himself as he turned back to the items in his hand, and began pouring the acid into the empty flask.

"Of course I thought you left, I couldn't find you."

No answer. He didn't even bother to give me a glance.

I watched him, as he handled the acid to cautiously, "What are you doing?"

He, again, shrugged. As he began mixing the acid with a glass spoon. I was about to ask him again, but I was interrupted with the sound of knocking coming from up the stairs.

Someone was at the door. I couldn't imagine who would come over, considering the fact that I don't know anyone who would want too, or anyone who would in general.

Ellie's head spun to the stairs, as he put down the utensil and took off the glove.

Knowing I had to get to the door before he did, I ran up the stairs and blocked it before he could get to it in time.

"Go back downstairs." I ordered him, and he stared at me and took a step back, but he didn't leave.

I opened the door very slightly, to be greeted by Levi and Selena. Levi waved, and Selena just dazed off to the street.

"Hey, Ripley." He said with a grin.

"Oh, uhh, hi Levi." I said, not exactly matching his enthusiastic tone.

"My parents wanted to know if you needed help with your windows. We can help you fix them, if you'd like."

I wanted to kick myself hard for what I was about to say next, "No thanks, I can do it myself." I really wish I could accept his offer.

Levi looked a bit down when I said that, which I didn't care about since the only thing on my mind was making sure Ellie doesn't attack them both.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and glanced at it, it was Ellie, his hand covered in black veins and his fingernails so black they genuinely looked terrifying.

I looked at Ellie for a slight second as Levi was saying something about the hurricane. Ellie's eyes were black, and his grip on my shoulder was tight, as if he refused to let me get any closer to the two people outside.

But he wasn't trying to attack them, at least he probably wasn't because the door was in the way, but still, he wasn't and that's all that mattered.

Me and Ellie were staring at one another. By the way he was looking at me, somehow, I felt he were trying to communicate. Telling me something with his facial expression but I couldn't understand him.

"Uhh Ripley, you still with me?" Levi broke my trance, and suddenly I was staring back him, forgetting that he was still talking.

"Oh, sorry, what did you say?"

He scoffed slightly and shook his head. I think he finally realized that I wasn't interested in him or his overly-dramatic family. "You know what? Never mind. If you need help with your windows, just ask." I watched him stomp off the porch, with his sister follow closely behind.

I shut the door. 

Turning back to Ellie, his hand was still on my shoulder. His grip on me was so tight that his fingernails were nearly cutting the surface of my skin.

"Ellie." I spoke to him softly, "They weren't going to hurt me." I felt like a broken record at this point. It may never get through to him that other people can be good.

I put my hand gently on his, and just like that, he realized he was still gripping onto me, and pulled his hand back. I opened my mouth to say something else, but he took a few steps backwards, as if disgusted to even be near me, he silently walked back in the basement.