Chapter 11-2
571 Words
Because my clunker wouldn’t start, Chel rode with Elena and Gary to her friend’s party, and I rode with Noah in his Jeep to my apartment.
I spoke after some time passed. “Thanks for giving me a ride.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Chel wanted you there, and it’s only right.”
Awkward silence ensued again.
Traffic passed us on the left. Noah slowed. He put on his right turn blinker and pulled to the side. After the Jeep came to a complete stop, he shut the engine off turned to me, and studied my face.
Moonlight framed his hair. “Jake, will you ever forgive me?” His blue eyes focused on me.
“Would you if you were me?” I whispered. Silence. His face crest-fallen. “You’ve promised me before, Noah, it would never happen again. You can’t be in a relationship, have a fight, cheat on the other, and think everything’s okay just because you said you’re sorry.”
“Yeah, you would know, Jake.”
Noah faced forward. He cranked up the Jeep.
After we arrived at the complex, I went up the steps to my apartment to get my key to the garage. Noah trailed behind. When I got to my door, I noticed the partially open door.
I locked the door this morning.
“What’s up?” Noah asked. I held up my hand to quiet him. I pointed to the door. He raised his hand, signaling me to wait. He went back downstairs. I stood there frozen.
What if the intruder was still inside?
Noah reappeared. I realized why he wanted me to wait. He retrieved his gun from his Jeep. He had his gun in both hands, the barrel angled down. He directed me to move, and I did. He slowly opened the door, and pointed his gun in the darkness. I watched his body language. His head moved from side to side, checking out the living room. Noah walked farther inside. I followed him but remained a few steps behind. With the moonlight, I checked the back of the door. I didn’t see the bat I stored there.
No sound in the apartment except the tick-tock of a kitchen clock. I followed him into Chel’s room. The moonlight shined through the open curtains—curtains that were normally closed. No one there. Chel’s closet was open with her stuffed animals on the floor.
My heart wanted to jump out of my chest. My bedroom door was closed. It was open this morning.
Noah twisted the doorknob slowly.
I hope he remembers that knob squeaks a little. On cue, when the knob squeaked, Noah swung the door open with his foot.
Nothing so far! No intruder with my baseball bat.
He went in. I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer.
Please God, keep Noah safe!
Soft footsteps ahead. I followed him. He stopped in front of the bathroom. The nightlight illuminated the shower stall. Noah stood there like a statue. He pivoted after peering in the bathroom and approached my closet. Just ten days ago, Noah stored some of his clothes there. Now it was empty enough to be a good hiding place.
He motioned me to open the door and to duck after I opened it. I went to the door. Nervous sweat stung my eyes. I hesitated, unsure if this was the right thing to do.
We should have called the cops.
Impatient, Noah waved to me. I opened the closet door, then ducked out of the way.
Nothing!
Noah straightened, and turned on the light. All my clothes littered the floor.
My gun safe gaped open.
The thief took my dad’s gun!
- Writer
