Page 16 of Claymore
“Really? Has my best friend been seeing someone and hasn’t shared any of the details with me?”
She folded her arms across her chest, squinting her eyes pretending to be angry, but we both let out a laugh.
“I wouldn’t say I’m seeing anyone. I just know a guy.”
“Uh-huh. Well, I’ll wait to hear more about this guy soon,” she teased.
“Come on, let’s go.”
I headed back to my apartment and I shot Claymore a quick text message to let him know. I shuffled around nervously knowing that he asked for me to stay put, but I was pretty sure that as long as I was at home, I’d be safe. I set my keys down on the entryway table when I made it inside. I locked the doors behind me, pulling my curtains shut, enveloping my entire home in darkness. I wanted nothing more than to relax, enjoy the rest of my day off, but the longer I spent alone, the more worried I became.
***
I took a hot shower, ringing the water out of my hair, feeling the warm water cascade down my body. Once I was done, I dressed in comfortable clothes, curling up in bed with my new copy ofSense and Sensibility. I turned the page, ready to indulge in the story when I heard my cell phone start to buzz. I reached for it on my nightstand, watching Claymore’s name pop up on the screen.
“Ella, what happened to staying put until I got back?” he asked the second I picked up.
“What was I supposed to do? Tell Hallie I wanted more pizza and stick around alone for another two hours?” I snapped.
“Yes.”
“You and I both know there would be no way I’d do that. It doesn’t matter now. I’m home. I’m safe. You can get some rest this evening.”
“Your doors are locked, right?”
“Locked up tight. Go on, Claymore. I’ll be fine until tomorrow. Don’t get your panties in a bunch.”
“Uh-huh. I’ll check on you later.”
“Goodbye, Claymore.”
I blew a little air out of my nose, feeling my lips curl up in a smile. I shook it off, returning to my book until I eventually drifted off to sleep.
I woke in my dark room, my nails digging into the side of my pillow, my blonde curls sticking to my head with sweat. My heart was racing, the blood rushing to my head as I sat up, shaking violently. I wrapped my arms around myself, remembering the horrific details of my nightmare, wishing I could just forget. I saw my brother there, the last time I truly felt anything for him, the night he destroyed my life.
My teeth were chattering, my fingertips and toes cold as I shut my eyes, trying to calm myself down. I took a deep breath, feeling my lungs expand, focusing on what was in my control. I couldn’t just tell myself it was a nightmare and go back to sleep because it was a part of me now. It was a memory I desperately wanted to forget, but I didn’t know how. I laid back down, thinking about anything else, and my mind wandered off to Claymore.
I thought about that dashing smile, that shoulder-length dirty blond hair, and how he always seemed to know exactly what to say to calm me down. I felt my eyelids grow heavy while I fixated on him, letting my thoughts lull me back to sleep. I was just about to drift off when I heard a loudcrash!in my kitchen. It sounded like one of my ceramic plates fell onto the floor, shattering into a million pieces. My heart started racing again, the sweat trickling down my forehead as I looked around my room for something to defend myself with.
This can’t be happening right now.I unplugged the lamp on my nightstand, wrapping my shivering fingers around the base, heading toward my bedroom door. I opened it up slowly, peeking out to see a shadow of a man going through my things. He fumbled around, studying the bills left out on my dining table, the half-eaten leftovers on my kitchen counter. I waited there patiently, watching him take a few steps closer, standing right by my slightly cracked door when his phone started ringing.
“Yeah? Okay. I’m coming,” he said, his voice low and deep.
He rushed out my front door, leaving it open behind him. I shut my bedroom door, locking it tight. I dragged my dresser over it to make sure nothing could get it open and I ran to my bedside for my cell phone. I dialed Claymore’s number, my lips quivering, and I hid behind the bed.Come on. Come on.
“Ella?”
“Claymore. I need you. Someone… someone was in my house! They were going through my things. T-they. I need to get out of here. I need—”
“Ella, where are you?”
“Locked in my bedroom. The man, he got a call and left. Please, get here fast,” I begged.
I felt the tears start to well up inside my eyes, burning as they streamed down my face.
“I’ll be right there. Don’t move.”
“Claymore?”
