And he let me blab on and on about my amateur and unsuccessful investigation? Wait. “How did you reach out to his family?”
“I have a friend in LAPD,” he says, casually.
But that didn’t explain so many other things. I consider telling Matt that the guy looked up at me, but dismiss it. He would think I’m being paranoid.
We talk about work. Matt tells me about every single time he has rescued cats from a tree in his ten years as a firefighter. For the record, it only happened three times.
I laugh, chat, and have a great time, but my brain can't stop thinking about how that guy didn't look like he was on drugs.
After the dinner, he leaves, reminding me to lock the door properly before walking away.
Chapter Four
Oliver
“Before we start working on the new script, we need to punch up the next episode,” Emily, the senior head writer, announces to the loud groans of the entire seven-person team. “I know, I know. We need jokes, guys. We can do it.”
I especially hate this because I didn’t get any sleep last night. I woke up three times from the same dream. Dalton was chasing me up the stairs, trying to claw my eyes out because he wanted the roof all to himself.
Sounds hilarious, I know. But waking up to the memory of glowing eyes and an angry, bloody face shouting at you stops being funny after the first couple of times.
“What’s happening in the next episode again?” Robbie asks.
“Romila was about to stumble upon Ed's secret. I wrote that one. It was transcendental, that's what Oliver said,” Sophia reminds everyone.
I try to remember and nod aggressively. I’m a born people pleaser. Going overboard with compliments is my jam. “Yeah, ofcourse.”
“Didn't she stumble upon his secret in the last episode?” Malik chimes in.
“Yes, we’re writing a paranormal show. She can almost stumble upon his secret more than once, Malik,” Sophia snides.
Emily claps her hands. Everyone turns to her. “It was transcendental, sure, but let's make it fun,” she says. “Pick up your scripts.”
It starts with Edwina, Romila, and Candace talking about prom.
"They end up going dress shopping, there's a dress-up montage, blah blah blah," Emily skims. "Let's look at when Romila goes to surprise Ed, but is about to discover his secret."
“Again,” Robbie rolls his eyes.
Romila is slowly walking around Ed's house, planning to climb up to his window.
While Emily recites the line, my mind is already on the next page, trying to come up with suggestions. Being the newest, youngest, and least experienced writer in the room, I'm always worried these successful, funny people will realize I shouldn’t be here.
I turn the page, glancing over the dialogue while Emily continues.
She places the ladder under his window and starts climbing.
Suddenly, she notices a large shadow in the window. Much larger than Ed. The shadow moves and leans forward on its hands, almost crawling. Her feet stop.
Here. Ed is trying to cover up whatever he was doing. Maybe I can insert a lame joke. Lame jokes always work in these episodes.
She sees glowing eyes.
Maybe he can have his laptop open, and he pushes it away as soon as Romila walks in.
Suddenly, the shadow is gone, and she can almost make out Ed sitting on his bed. Romila blinks a couple of times, doubting what she saw.
Romila thinks he’s watching porn, but maybe a page with Twilight fanfiction is open on the browser. That would be funny.
