You know, now that I think about it, it must have been Shawn who deleted the pictures of Kelly’s dad. From the way she teared up today, I doubt it was Kelly who lost those photos on her own. She treasured them.
Ugh. Disgusting, Shawn.
It’s really very fortunate that man crossed paths with me. Who knows how long he would have gone without learning the proper way to treat a wife?
“I can’t breathe.” Shawn gasps like he’s drowning.“I can’t…”He stumbles to the back corner of the elevator and slides down to his knees. The stranger leans over Shawn, blocking him from sight.
Even though I can’t see him anymore, Shawn’s heavy breaths fill my ears. He sounds like a fish out of water. Desperate. In agony.
I search deep inside myself for empathy and find none.
Especially when I imagine Kelly begging Shawn to stop hitting her. Which he obviously didn’t if she has fractured ribs.
I close my eyes, enjoying the sweet music of Shawn’s desperation.
Just then, I hear another banging sound. Shawn?
I look at the screen.
No, it’s the other guy. From this angle, all I can see is the side of his face and his fists that are raw and torn, as if he was spending his evening punching undressed cement.
“Hey!”The stranger bangs the door again. “Someone needs help!”
“Oh, relax,” I tell the stranger. “He won’t die. I don’t think.”
I actually don’t know that much about claustrophobia. Do people die from that? Isn’t it just like an anxiety attack?
The stranger takes out his cell phone and dials a number.
Uh-oh.
My watch chirps.
Don’t get nervous, J.
I inhale and exhale.
The watch remains yellow.
Okay. I’m nervous. Which means I have to act now. I can’t let help get to Shawn before I do.
I tap a quick message and press “SEND.”
Shawn doesn’t look at his phone at first. What if he never does?
My watch chirps again.
The yellow lingers for longer before settling into green.
Time is not on my side. I need Shawn to get my message before I open the elevator or someone else figures out I’m in the system.
Look at your phone, Shawn.
I wish telepathy was a thing. I could sync my thoughts with Shawn’s through Wi-Fi.
Come on. Come on.
Finally, the scumbag takes his phone out of his pocket. He reads my message, and his eyes widen to twice their size. He shoots to his feet in a panic.
