by India Kells
His first point of order was to get hold of Ms. Ellie McLaren’s phone signal. It took some time until the reassuring red dot started blinking on the screen’s map.
The day before, after they’d spoken on the phone by the bridge, Sam had followed her from a distance, both for her safety and his own peace of mind. The woman had wandered in the cold for a long time, slowing down in front of shops and bakeries, as if admiring what was behind the glass, but not daring to get anything for herself.
He hadn’t been there long, but when she was inside her apartment, he barely heard any noise. Water, feet shuffling, and silence. No sound from the television or radio, no music, no ringtone, no smell of food, and definitely no company.
Loud silence as it was now. The red dot told him that Ellie was indeed inside her home.
It was easy to access her latest purchase, and apart from coffee, there weren’t any grocery or restaurant bills, unless she’d paid cash.
Not convinced, he continued his search and accessed her file from the office, and what he read worried him. Ellie had been put on temporary leave. The details weren’t precise, her boss obviously trying to shield her, but reading between the lines, it was clear she wasn’t well.
Clues were adding up, or at least he could follow some sort of pattern, but the origin of it all remained fuzzy, and most importantly, it left her still balancing on the edge.
Fingers still over the keyboard, Sam pondered what he could do, short of knocking on her door.
What was she doing in her apartment right now? Did she have any decent food in there?
The wheels of his mind turning, Sam analyzed possibilities until an idea popped into his head, one silly enough that it could work.
Lazarus wasn’t the only one capable of ordering online. In only a few clicks, he did a basic grocery shop and had it sent to her apartment. To avoid any suspicion, he made sure to add a note from her boss Madge, something general about wanting to help her out and accepting this gift. He wasn’t too worried about raising her suspicions. He could divert her boss’ incoming emails and that would warn him before it could get out of hand.
As he was lost in an inner debate whether or not he should install cameras in her apartment, Sam heard footsteps coming up the staircase. He could hear someone panting, and he didn’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to guess that the delivery man had arrived.
Holding his breath, Sam waited as strong knocks broke the apparent stillness.
It took another round for Ellie to move, her footsteps almost noiseless. He imagined her looking through the peephole and frowning, opening the door reluctantly. It was impossible to discern the discussion, but the tone revealed the possible content. Disbelief, denial, and finally, acceptance.
This confirmed that Madge Leipzig was indeed more of a friend than a boss to Ellie, but his little trick couldn’t be used too many times.
At least, for the time being, his neighbor had food, and when he finally heard pots and pans followed by the faint smell of food, Sam relaxed and took a handful of cookies as a reward.
Chapter Four
Ellie couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt that full. She’d obviously eaten too much, but that lasagna had called her name the moment she’d unboxed it.
Madge knew pasta was her favorite and she was surprised by this unexpected gift. She had to thank her for her thoughtfulness. The last few weeks had been hard, and basics like getting groceries, or eating for that matter, often escaped her mind. Ellie knew it wasn’t wise to abuse her body that way, but her stomach had been in constant knots. Only the sight and smell of food reawakened her hunger, making it a priority.
Now with the food put away and flopped on the couch in a food coma, Ellie wanted to doze off, but she’d slept too much already. It was as if her body had become addicted to sleep, and her bed was the only place where she could find oblivion and precious peace. That option wasn’t available for the time being, so she had to remain awake with her thoughts.
Light still streamed through the window. Normal people lived their lives at that exact moment, breathing, loving, laughing, crying, working. At that thought, Ellie felt even more empty and tired.
She wanted that agonizing void to disappear forever, but apart from the unthinkable, no other ideas came to mind. Was she more fragile than other people? Maybe it was inevitable due to her lack of parents, and being raised in the cold-hearted and bleak system of foster homes.
How could one have a heart when she’d never been loved?
Ellie felt like she was a house with a weak foundation, cracking and creaking as fissures spread all over its surface. It was only a question of time before it all crumbled down.
Pushing herself up, she stood to look out the window. Down on the street, people milled around, going about their lives. When was the last time she’d acted like a normal human being and lived?
Her eyes searched for her phone. Apart from her colleagues at work or Madge, the strange caller had been her only link to the real world. Sam.
Sam had shown real concern, even if he knew nothing about her. Even if she’d been the one to shut him out, there was a connection, and for a brief instant, she wanted it to continue. A connection that stirred her from her melancholy, maybe there was something there. She had to reach out. Too bad she didn’t know Sam’s number. Would he call again?
Ellie wanted that and feared it too. She remembered how he’d started asking questions, poking into wounds that hadn’t had time to heal, that may never be healed.
Nonetheless, an idea wiggled its way into her mind. What if she just reached out?
Madge talked about seeing a professional, a psychologist or something in the same vein, but Ellie wasn’t ready for that though as she’d suffered through too many sessions in her youth.
Her eyes back on the scene of urban life, Ellie had no idea where to start until a loud bang followed by a muffled curse came from the other side of the wall. Her new, unknown neighbor.
Ellie knew too well what it felt like to be alone in Chicago. When she’d turned eighteen, her greatest joy and biggest fear had been moving there alone. Since then, she’d realized there was a big difference between being alone and being lonely.
Solitary by nature, she hadn’t suffered from loneliness, dedicating her life to helping others instead, finding fulfillment in her work. Until even that turned against her.
Could her purpose have changed after that terrible sorrow? Could her own helplessness force her to change course?
A faint vibration started deep in her belly, generating enough energy to pull her from the window and into the kitchen. From Madge’s gift box, she remembered a small box of assorted chocolates. Would it be a neighborly thing to do?
At the last minute she changed out of her sweatpants and donned her last clean pair of jeans at least, and a blue hoodie that was free of stains. Her black hair was a wild mess, but it was a continuous fight she wouldn’t try to win now, and after all, her appearance didn’t matter.
Shoulders back, with a smile she hoped wasn’t too creepy, Ellie hopped in a pair of old sneakers to go into the hall.
It was in front of her neighbor’s door just after knocking twice, that she felt like a complete fool. What was she doing? On the verge of panic, Ellie couldn’t do a thing as the door swung open.
The man looked as bewildered as she was, which she found funny. Did she have that same look on her face when someone approached her?
Tall, dark, with amazing pale eyes like silver and the hint of a beard over golden skin, and heart-stopping handsome, Ellie searched for something smart and kind to say when the man blinked and looked over her shoulder, before forcefully dragging her inside his apartment.
Surprise overtook fear when she found herself crouching behind the sofa with the man. Stunned, she was about to open her mouth, her mind full of questions, when she heard popping sounds followed by a shattering window.
“Stay down.” Her neighbor’s stern order caught her attention, but not as much as the gun h
e had in his hand.
Just as she was going to speak, the man fired back, the sound muffled. Half a second later, as he was shooting, he jumped over the couch and crashed into the door. Wood flew, making her duck again. The popping resumed, followed by grunting and a shattering silence.
Her heart almost leaping out of her chest, Ellie peeked above the furniture to see the man hurrying back inside, alone.
“Damn it. One got away. Are you okay?”
On shaking legs, Ellie stood, her eyes on the doorway where she could see a pair of shoes. “Is he dead?”
The neighbor, after scanning her body for injury, turned his back on her and grabbed a backpack. “Not a big loss for humanity. You didn’t answer me. Are you all right?”
Ellie didn’t know what to answer to that, too shaken by what had just happened. “I’m uninjured if it’s what you mean.”
A quick nod was the only sign that indicated he’d heard her. He came to stand in front of her, looking her up and down again. “We need to go. Now.”
That sentence struck hard enough to bring her back to her senses. “I’m not going anywhere with you. You just killed a man!”
“One who wanted nothing more than to kill both of us. I didn’t expect an attack. And your surprise visit was another thing I hadn’t planned for, Ellie.”
How does he know my name?
Again, he cut her off as she opened her mouth. “I should’ve been more careful, but my mind was too preoccupied. And now I’ve put you in danger.”
He caught her elbow and led her onto the landing, where he released her arm. He turned to the dead man, pulling him inside his apartment before closing the door.
Still stunned, Ellie wondered why there wasn’t a trail of blood but didn’t have time to ponder it before the man pushed her into her apartment.
“We don’t have much time. Grab a bag and put your essentials in it. We need to move fast.”
Another thought invaded her mind; even in this crazy situation, where her life was on the line, and her neighbor had obviously killed another man in front of her eyes, she wasn’t afraid of him.
“I’m not doing anything until you tell me what’s going on. Why shouldn’t I call the police on you? Were those attackers? Are you some kind of criminal?”
There, standing in the middle of the apartment, he appeared even more formidable than he was when he’d first opened the door. She had no doubt he could’ve snapped her in two like a twig, but he didn’t. Instead, his hard features softened, even if his gaze was hard as ice. “I’m not a criminal, not in the sense you’re thinking. I’m a soldier. Or was. You were caught in the crossfire, dragged into my nightmare. I’m so sorry. It’s my fault. But I promise that I’ll protect you until I’m sure you’re safe, Ellie. Quick, we should go.”
Again, he said her name and instead of following his order, she took a step forward, impressing herself. She should be cowering away, screaming, and trying to escape, but while her thoughts were in a jumble, her instincts were telling her he was safe. “You know my name, but I’ve never met you.”
Her neighbor seemed more and more restless, looking at the door as if he expected another attack the next minute. “I’ll explain when you’re safe. Please, believe me, pack a bag and let’s go.”
Ellie heard the urgency in his voice, which rang another bell, but instead of answering, she took another step. Eyes locked, she relied on her well-honed patience, the one she used with the people she tried to help, and despite the situation, she needed him to open up, if only a little so she could believe him.
Precious seconds ticked by, where so much was said without words, but still, Ellie waited.
“I didn’t want you to find out this way, or be scared of me or my intentions...”
Ellie sensed that she was about to be knocked off balance, and his next words confirmed her intuition.
“I’m Sam.”
Chapter Five
Sam had faced many uncomfortable situations in his life, more than he dared to remember, but he’d never felt as much of a jerk as when he’d revealed his identity. How could he justify anything he’d done up to now without sounding like a stalker?
As he scrambled for something logical or reassuring to say, a low rumble came from a distance, redirecting his focus on the impending danger.
Ellie must have heard the same thing as her stunned expression turned to worry, but he was glad that instead of collapsing into a puddle of panic, she lunged to grab her bag, and a few things on her counter before returning to him with obvious fear but grasping at some self-control.
“Do you think it’s them? The people who are after you?”
As they were on the top floor, there was no doubt the second wave of attackers were on their way. “Probably. We might have a few more seconds to spare before they come through your door. We need to go.”
“But how? They’re blocking our only way out.”
Sam knew better. He hadn’t been in the building long, but the first thing he’d done was to check for possible and impossible escape routes. He hadn’t expected an attack, in fact, he hadn’t expected living long enough to see one, but experience and old habits were too strong to ignore.
“Out your front window.” Without waiting for her answer, Sam went and slid it open. The cold wind felt like a slap, but Sam ignored it. “On the ledge, six feet to the right, just grab the escape ladder’s railing.”
Ellie pressed by his side, and gasped. “No way. The ledge is just a few inches, I can’t...”
“I’ll hold your hand until you reach it. You’ll be safe.”
Objection was all over her face, but a booming noise from the other apartment meant there wasn’t another option.
Sam was surprised by how Ellie, trembling and pale from fright, climbed out without a word, her hand in his in a death grip.
Time was against them, but Sam didn’t dare push her. “Just focus on the railing, Ellie. Just that.”
A whimper escaped her lips, but she kept going until her fingers brushed the cold metal in front of her.
Faint knocking could be heard from behind him, but Sam didn’t turn until Ellie finally got a hold of the staircase. “Don’t go down. Go up and wait for me.”
Sam didn’t wait for her answer as the door behind him burst open to three men, armed and thirsty for blood, and certainly money.
It was strange how he never had to think what to do in these situations. The first mercenary was dead before he thought about it. It was like a dance to music of fire and blood.
He felt the blows he received and the ones he gave in return, his muscles screaming and bones crunching until he was the last one standing in the room.
As he looked for IDs, he found none, confirming that his father still had enough money to buy killers with half a brain. It was a frightening thought, and one he’d need to revisit when their lives weren’t on the line. Replacing the broken door as best he could, Sam didn’t hesitate to climb out of the window, and two steps later, he was climbing the stairs.
Ellie was standing a few feet away in the snow, arms around herself. Sam should have thought about bringing a coat, but he’d had more pressing matters on his mind than the weather, even Chicago’s penetrating cold.
“Are they coming after us?”
Sam knew it was cold, he saw her breath and her body tremble, but survival came before her comfort. “This bunch won’t, but the next wave will.” As he talked, he circled her waist to steer her toward the roof’s edge. The gap was only three feet, but Sam knew better than to allow Ellie time to think about what he wanted to do. Instead, he took the leap and brought Ellie with him.
She was small and light, almost fragile, like a fairy with her black hair, clear blue eyes, and skin pale as snow. For an instant, she clung to him and it felt right. Too much so. Sam stepped back, the fear of lingering, and maybe allowing himself to feel again, strong.
“Come, we must get out of sight quickly.” Releasing her, Sam went to the roof’s access door
and pulled a key from his pocket.
Ellie frowned, peeking over his shoulder. “You have a key? How did you get that? You only moved in a couple of days ago.”
What could he say? His past had been tainted by too many atrocities to begin to explain. It was cowardly to avoid her questions, but he’d prefer not to add to the burden he suspected she carried from her voice and sadness in her eyes.
The door led to a service staircase and down to a workshop with a small side door in an alley. If their luck held it would be vacant, and whoever was after them would assume they were no longer in the area.
The area smelled of sawdust and oil, but its warmth was welcoming. He knew he shouldn’t but Sam turned and rubbed the arms of his shivering fairy.
In the faint light, with her wide, wandering eyes, she reminded him of a legend his mother had told by the campfire under the desert stars, about exquisite, winged beings called peri, benevolent angels who came down to earth seeking penance by helping humans.
“Why aren’t you afraid of me? You know nothing about me and I’ve brought death to your door.”
With one last shiver, Ellie blinked up at him, and it was as if he was falling. Only his survival instincts made him take two steps back and reach for his phone.
As usual, Lazarus answered on the first ring. “Sam.”
“We need a way out. It seems our father has decided he’s had enough of me.”
“We?”
Sam didn’t want to discuss his folly over the phone. “Me and a friend. You can pinpoint my position now. We need a safe place to hide, especially her. I want her protected and safe.”
It was only after he’d spoken the words Sam realized he’d locked gazes with Ellie again.
“Sam. If you’re both in immediate danger, it will take too long for me to send a car. If your position is exact, there are three cars outside your door. One of them should be easy to break in to. Take it and make your way to me. I’ll take care of getting rid of it, and you’ll have a secure location for you and your friend until we can find a better solution.”