What Did Not Die by Ruth Anna Evans

Author:Ruth Anna Evans [Evans, Ruth Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-08T00:00:00+00:00

17

THE PHONE WAS RINGING and ringing. Jordan fumbled beside her on the coffee table and answered. It was John.

“Sharp, where are you?”

For a moment, she didn’t actually know, finding herself on the couch instead of in her bed.

She gathered her bearings. “Home.”

“Do you know what time it is? Are you okay?”

Jordan looked. It was noon, the daily nine o’clock meeting long past. She sat up.

“I’m so sorry, I’m on my way.”

“Are you sick? Hungover?”

Was she sick? She remembered the evening, the apparition, the sense of someone standing over her. It didn’t feel like anyone was in the apartment now, but she did actually feel sick. Strung out on fear.

“I’m okay.” She wished she could tell someone—anyone—what was happening. If she weren’t so alone with it, this wouldn’t be as bad. But no. John was her boss. So, she needed to figure out a normal reason someone would be three hours late to work.

“My alarm didn’t go off, and I was just really tired. I’ll be there right away.” It was the best she could do.

He paused, then apparently decided to let it go. “Okay. Be quick, there’s been another house fire.”

Another one? Jordan hung up and hastily pulled her hair into a ponytail and brushed her teeth before sprinting to her car. She had to run by the office to get the camera. Dammit.

When she hurried through the newsroom doors fifteen minutes later, Jordan was appalled to see Shane sitting in her chair at her desk, twirling smugly around.

“Well, hello, Sleeping Beauty,” he said annoyingly. “I missed you.” He made a kissy face and Jordan shuddered involuntarily.

“Get out of my chair, Shane.” She was in a hurry and not in the mood for his shit. The camera was on the other side of the desk, and she could tell he wanted her to squeeze by him to get it. “I need my camera. Move.”

“Testy!” He picked up the camera and held it out to her. “Ask nicely, sweetheart.”

Jordan snatched it from his hands and stomped away, feeling like a child. There was no good way to deal with people like that. This definitely marked an escalation in his behavior, as though he had finally realized he didn’t have a chance and so felt free to be a dick. She wondered if she should report him to John. But who knew what John’s disposition toward her was today, with her extreme tardiness?

When she got to her car, she felt someone behind her, and turned. It was Shane. He had followed her to her car.

She was not polite: “What do you want, Shane?”

“Why are you always such a bitch?” He leaned against her car. She crossed her arms tightly across her chest, for the second time in two days gripping her keys between her fingers.

“Why are you always such a sleaze?” She challenged him. “Why don’t you leave me the fuck alone?”

“You want me to leave you alone, sweetheart?” He moved closer until he was in her personal space. She refused to step back.

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