“Then why are you still whispering?”
“Because on the off chance that I’m wrong, I don’t want to let the intruder know that I know he’s here!”
“Well, that’s just silly. If he’s hiding, he already knows you’re there. In which case, he’s hiding because A, he’s hoping you won’t find him, or B, he’s waiting to jump out and kill you. In which case, you should take my boots and run!”
“All your boots or just your favorite pair?” I questioned as I approached my room.
The endless chatter was calming me slightly, but I doubted it would be enough to really quell the fear churning in my gut.
“You know what? Just grab a garbage bag and stuff them all inside.”
“While I’m running from the intruder,” I deadpanned.
“I’m not saying you’ll make it out unscathed, but that’s what I would do for you if you had anything worth stealing.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, that’s what friends are for.”
I sucked in a deep breath, willing the spots in front of my eyes to disappear. “Okay, I’m doing it. I’m going in.”
“Right. You got this! Oh, and make sure you strike hard and fast. Deep cuts!”
“Because I would go for paper cuts?” I hissed.
“Well, you are a bit of a sissy when it comes to hurting others.”
“Sure. I’ll make sure to not be a sissy. You would have already taken your shoes and run.”
“Boots,” she corrected. “Now, get in there and murder someone.”
I nodded, though she couldn’t see me, and flung the door open with a loud screech that would scare the shit out of anyone hiding in my apartment.
But it was empty.
As I stood there panting, I scanned every inch of the bedroom, got on my knees and looked under the bed, then flung the closet door open. Not a single thing was out of place.
“Well, that was anticlimactic.”
“It’s a shame you didn’t get to use your knife on anyone.”
“I know,” I said, frowning down at the weapon in my hand. “I thought for sure I’d need it.”
“Well, the good news is my boots and hair products are safe,” Cheyenne quipped. “Oh, and nothing else was damaged.”
“Good news all around.”
Laughing, I slumped against the wall, my body going into full meltdown mode after such a scare.
“This was ridiculous.”
“Right, well, you can never be too safe.”
I stomped out of my room to replace the knife.
“Oh, I should probably tell you?—”
A dark figure appeared in the corner of my eye, and terror took over. I didn’t waste a minute as I spun and flung the knife at the intruder in my apartment.
