The Psychic Next Door

Chapter 4: Leave

"No, Polly, that's the thing... there wasn't anyone there. There are bars on my windows and the door was locked. And... and it didn't sound h-human..." I put my face in my hands. "See? I'm totally going crazy."

When there was no response, I peeked through my fingers at Polly, expecting the worst. But Polly didn't look uncomfortable, just worried. There was still no hint of fear in her eyes.

"Uhm, well, maybe you should talk to your landlord, maybe there's an animal stuck in a crawl space or something."

I shrugged. If only it were that simple. If only she had heard the noise... but then again, I wouldn't have wished that on anyone else, not even my worst enemy, not even Rick.

"But until that's sorted, you need to come and stay with me."

I looked up at her and just blinked. "A-Are you sure?"

"Am I sure?!" she burst out. "Of course I'm sure! I don't know what's happening with your apartment, but I've worked with you for two years, and you've never been anything but level headed. If something is scaring you, and if you think it's serious... then I think it's serious. And you need to stay with me until you feel safe again. That's what friends are for."

I smiled sincerely at the word 'friend'. I wasn't alone anymore.

Polly paid for the coffee I hadn't drank—I hadn't thought to grab money as I'd run from the horrible noise—and walked me back to my apartment, where she had parked.

She had a beautiful BMW—that explained how she had gotten here so fast—but instead of getting into it, she turned and headed down the stairs to my apartment.

"W-wait!" I shouted. My whole body began to shake. "What're you doing?"

Polly paused mid-stair and looked back at me. "If you're going to be staying with me, you'll need your toothbrush and stuff, right?"

"But..." I was reluctant. "That's... There's... Inside..."

Polly gave me a big smile and held out her hand to me. "Come on. It will just be for a second."

Debate raged inside my head for a short moment. I wasn't sure if what had happened was even real, but at least she would be with me. Finally I nodded and took her hand. She led me—like a scared child—down to the door.

The door was still closed and unlocked. It took all of my nerve to even grip the handle. I opened the door slowly, carefully, not wanting to announce my return to whatever was in my apartment.

I came expecting darkness and an eerie atmosphere, but my apartment was still well lit, bright... and completely empty. Nothing was out of place. It didn't seem like the battleground it had been a mere half hour ago. I stepped into the apartment, still cautious.

That was when I saw it. My laptop was back, sitting on my counter right where I had left it, and the USB key was even in the centre of the circle I had drawn on the sheet of paper.

All I could do was stare, mouth hanging open like my brain had soundlessly slipped out my ear. How did they get there? There was no way Polly would believe me now...

I turned to look at her, waiting to see her reaction. She stared back; her eyes were no longer playful, they were searching and careful. I wanted to tell her I wasn't joking, that this had really happened, that this was part of the problem, but I couldn't muster the words. Before, in the café, I was sure she believed me, believed the truth. Now I was sure that she thought I'd suffered a psychotic break and was descending into madness.

Maybe I was.

I crumpled to the floor, defeated, utterly at a loss of what to do.

It was a true testament to Polly's kindness that she didn't leave then and there. I had expected her to back away slowly, to leave and call professionals to come for me, but she just set to work. The fear that paralyzed me didn't seem to affect her.