Chapter 4 - The Screaming Television
Two minutes ticked down on my phone screen.
The rattling at the mail slot became violent, desperate.
A tiny hand shoved through the brass flap, letting it slam repeatedly against the wood.
Rattle. Slam. Rattle. Slam.
Over the roaring TV speakers, a dull thudding hit the bottom of the door.
He was kicking the wood.
"Stubborn," I muttered to the empty room. "So stubborn."
I pushed the volume button three more times.
The television was screaming now, a wall of artificial noise drowning out the world outside.
I crossed my arms tight, feeling a bitter sense of triumph.
I was standing my ground. I was showing him he couldn't break me.
The phone on the coffee table vibrated, the alarm buzzing loudly.
Five minutes were up.
I let it buzz for another thirty seconds just to prove I was in control.
Then I hit the power button on the remote.
The sudden silence in the house was staggering.
It rushed in to replace the sitcom audio, heavy, thick, and suffocating.
I stood up from the sofa, my bare feet sticking to the hot hardwood.
"Okay, Leo," I called out, my voice sounding strained and hollow.
"Are you ready to come in and apologize?"
No answer.
Unease crept up my spine, cool and sharp against the heat.
"Leo?"
Silence.
May you like
I walked slowly to the door, my fingers trembling as I reached for the brass deadbolt.
I unlocked it and pulled the heavy door open.
