Chapter 1
I handed in my check out receipt to Karli, the service manager. I knew my PPA wasn't great tonight, or the night before either.
"Not looking great Lori, you need to increase your sales if you want to keep your hours." Lori looked at me sympathetically.
"I know, I've just been off since the break in. And my roommate is moving out so I have to find a new one by next week. I've just had a lot on my plate."
"I know, Lori. Just do your best and let me know if you need to take some time to sort things out. Have a goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night Karli." I wish I could afford to take some time, unfortunately server life doesn't make for the most consistent paycheck.
Grabbing my pink water bottle from the shelf in the back I headed out. I was the last server to leave. There was some kitchen staff finishing up their closing duties. I had my apron in one hand and my keys in the other. I kept my head up, looking around the parking lot. The Roadhouse I worked at wasn't in a great area, people have been mugged before leaving here late.
I made it to my car and quickly got in, locking the doors immediately. I didn't want to go back to my apartment but I knew I needed to get some sleep.
It started to drizzle just as I was pulling into my parking space. The dark clouds that once soothed me and reminded me of home now filled me with an ominous feeling. Walking up the outside stairs to my door, my thoughts drifted to a few nights ago...
I had gone out with some co-workers for a few drinks after work and came home to find my front door ajar. It was raining, just like tonight. I felt the anxiety welling up in my throat, choking the breath from my lungs as I pushed open the door. Flicking on the living room lights, I called out to my roommate Patricia, but no reply. She must have stayed at her boyfriend's. I closed the door behind me and started dialing 911.
Moving further into the living room I saw that the TV and PlayStation were still there. Nothing was broken. The Dispatcher picked up.
"911, what's your emergency?"
"My name is Lori Clarke, someone broke into my apartment." I walked past the kitchen, also untouched, down the hall to my room. Pushing open the door I saw that all my belongings were thrown about as if someone had hurriedly gone through my stuff. My computer monitor was on and had a bunch of my files open.
"Lori, are you safe?"
"Yes, I can't tell if they took anything. My room is trashed." I felt the numbness wash away my anxiety. I wasn't sure if I should be afraid or relieved that I wasn't home when they came. But what I did feel was violated. My head was rationalizing my fears, but my body was telling me to run, get away, hide!
"I'm going to send an officer to your apartment, I just need the address."
"My address is 472 Prospect Ave. Apartment 2a."
"Officer Montecca is on his way. Just sit tight. Do you want me to stay on the phone with you while you wait?"
"No, thank you. I should call my roommate. Make sure she knows and is ok."
"Okay Lori. Officer Montecca will be there in 2 minutes."
Once the officer got their he took my statement, some pictures and dusted for prints. He told me he thought the intruder used a crowbar to bust open the door. I haven't slept well since...
As I opened the door I saw Patricia and her boyfriend, Mark wrapping the couch with plastic. We have been roommates for 2 years, and decided to go half on the furniture. She bought the couch and dining table, I bought the TV and console table. It made splitting things easy.
"Hey Lori." Patricia's voice always made me think of her as some kind of song bird. Her melodic chirping was something I knew I would miss.
"Hey Pat, enlisting the boyfriend for free labor I see."
Mark stuck his tongue out at me playfully. We have grown to be friends over the years. He was always quick with a comeback but terrible at Call of Duty. I consistently had a higher k:d than him.
" Yeah, I went ahead and took some pictures of my room and the living area for you. I'm sorry I'm leaving on such short notice." Patricia looked down at her feet. I knew she felt bad but I understand. If I had a boyfriend to move in with I would leave too.
"Don't worry Pat, I will post some flyers in the quad at school and online. I'm sure there is some fellow college student looking for a place near the campus." I smiled at her reassuringly.
She nodded, "I'm going to stay at Mark's tonight. All my clothes and personal stuff is there already. I'm leaving my bed and dresser. I figure since Mark has room for my clothes I won't need that. And you can offer the room partially furnished!"
"Sounds good, thanks Pat. I appreciate your help." Great another sleepless night.
