Broken

Chapter 5

                                                                                                   C ʜ ᴀ ᴘ ᴛ ᴇ ʀ ● F ɪ ᴠ ᴇ

Lacie was sitting quietly on the front porch when the phone rang. She had the windows open, airing out the house with sunlight and honeysuckle breezes. It had been something Jack had loved to do during the warmer months. It was through these open windows she heard the shrill ring break the sweet singing of the birds.

The wooden swing groaned as Lacie abandoned it and made her way into the house. She made it to the living room just on the third ring.

“Hello?” Lacie didn't recognize the number on the screen, assuming it was someone calling back to give her a job.

“Hello, Mrs. McKean,” Lacie let a gasp escape through her lips at the deep, unfamiliar British accent, “I'm calling in regard to an ad you put on the internet; something about three rooms for rent?”

Lacie spent a second collecting herself before answering, “Uh, yes. Yes! I have three bedrooms, and basically my whole second floor, for rent.”

“Perfect,” the stranger sounded relieved, “I would like to rent them.”

“All of them?” Lacie wondered what this older gentleman would want three rooms for.

“Yes, all three.”

“Oh, well, just give me your info,” Lacie wrote down the man's name, Mr. Cowell, and number, “Great, when do you plan on coming?”

“In three days, tops.”

“Good, good,” Lacie exhaled happily, “Great. We can figure out payment methods when you arrive.”

“That's perfect. Thank you very much, Mrs. McKean.” Mr. Cowell hung up and left a baffled Lacie still clutching the phone to her ear.

Lacie hadn't expected such a quick reply, but she would be lying if she said she wasn't elated.

The last few days had been a harrowing affair. Jack had never been home every night, but even when he was gone Lacie still felt a sense of safety. But now, every creak, every thud, made her shake like a leaf. She still kept Jack's large military grade boots right outside the front door, just like she used to, to deter any possible criminals. She still had the guns too.

But that wasn't enough anymore. With nightmares plaguing her night, and ghosts haunting her day, nothing was safe.

Lacie was already feeling a sense of relief, though, knowing that she wouldn't be alone much longer. She didn't have to make friends, she just had to know that someone else was in the house.

And that was how Lacie got through those insufferable three days.