I headed to my bedroom to feed Balthazar, the iguana I’d had for about two years. I scratched the inside of my arm unconsciously as I walked back to the living room, a restless feeling rearing up inside of me.

Calm down.

I couldn’t help myself, and, after a second of hesitation, I pulled back my kitchen curtain just the tiniest bit and peered out quickly. There was no sign of life, however, and the only things out were a couple of empty cars. I stood there as if the man would materialize if I stared for long enough. After a couple of seconds, I pulled away, shutting the curtains back, feeling foolish.

Strangely enough, though, the guy being gone didn’t bring me any peace at all, and a part of me almost wished I could see him again. At least then I’d know where he was.

You’re being ridiculous! People stand on the street all the time! You live in Chicago for god’s sake, you’re used to this.

I forced myself to stopped thinking about it, and I plopped down on the couch instead, throwing my feet up onto the table. I was an hour into an awful cheap comedy when there was a knock on my door.

Thump, thump!

I jolted up, staring at the door as the laugh track sounded behind me. All my fears came rushing back into me at the sound of that knock. I sat still, my hand gripping the armrest so hard my knuckles were white. My heartbeat pounded in my ears.

The knock sounded again, two quick raps that made me jump in my seat. I slid off the couch slowly, my eyes never leaving the door. I took one shaky step in the direction of the door when the knock resounded a final time, echoing in my head.

Come on, I told myself. It could be a neighbor or the landlord. Just answer the door, Theo. There’s nothing to be afraid of.

Yes, but at this time of night? A voice whispered in the back of the head. I ignored it, took a few large steps, then put my hand on the doorknob.

Be careful. What you do now you can’t undo. It’s not too late to turn around.

I gripped the knob and, steeling myself, threw open the door, squinting my eyes as if that would protect me from reality.

“You!”

~~~

Standing in my doorway was not a random scary and mysterious figure, but instead Violet, my five foot three neighbor who just so also happened to be my best friend.

“Hey! I didn’t think you were home!” Violet leaned in and hugged me, and I felt an overwhelming sense of relief flood over me.

“Hey, sorry, I was watching a movie.” I gestured behind me vaguely in the direction of the TV, then stood aside to let Violet in, glad my apartment was at least clean.

“I was bored, figured I’d come check up on you.” Violet rummaged in my fridge and came out with a beer, triumphant.

Violet was two years younger than I was, but still drunk way more than I did, and I think the six-pack of beer in my fridge was more for her than it was for me. We hung out most weekends, either playing video games or going to one of the bars she frequents. I rarely drank, but she could drink most grown men under the table.

She was tiny, but her attitude tended to make up for her height. More than once I’d had to bail her out of jail for bar fights. Usually, without a scratch on her, I might add. Her hair was bright blue, and I’d never seen her without it dyed. She had a bright pink diamond stud that she wore in her nose always, which had been a gift from her younger sisters.

“Yeah sure, I was watching this movie, it’s about-”

Ring! Ring!

I cut myself off as Violet mumbled sorry and grabbed her phone, a crease between her eyebrows. “Hello? Yes, yes, uh-huh. No, it’s fine. Okay, okay, okay, give me a couple of minutes. Don’t worry, I’ll be there soon.”

Violet stuck her phone back in her pocket, then gave me a quick hug, apologizing, “Sorry, but Mia just busted a sink pipe and didn’t know who else to call. I’ll call you later, bye!”

I shouted a goodbye halfheartedly at Violet, who was already slamming my door shut behind her. I sighed, tossing the beer she’d left on my counter into the trash. The dull clunk it made was in sync with the sudden knocking on my door again.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I rolled my eyes, grinning to myself as I walked back over to the door, only feeling slightly bad that Violet was probably back for the beer she’d left. I twisted the knob to my door without hesitation, and had I known what was waiting on the other side, I might have paused.

I threw open my door, a grin on my face while asking, “What’d you forget this time, Vi?”

My voice trailed off at the end of my sentence, however, mostly because I wasn’t looking down at Violet’s exasperated face, but was instead looking at the shoulder of a stranger who was most definitely not Violet.

“You’re not Violet.”