“What?” I stare at him, struggling to comprehend what he’s telling me. “Why? I’ve never missed a rent payment. You haven’t even given me any notice or warnings.”
He shrugs and drops the box he’s holding to the floor, sending some of my books flying out of it. “You’re subletting, kid. I don’t have to give you shit. I want you and your things out of here. Now.”
I start to tremble and tears gather in my eyes. It took me weeks to find this place, and it’ll be impossible to find something this cheap quickly. Even if I do, it might not be safe, and I can’t afford anything more expensive until I get my first paycheck. “Where am I supposed to go?”
I see a hint of sympathy in his eyes, but it’s gone before I can utter another word. “Not my problem,” he says, shrugging. “I’ve already had the locks changed, so don’t bother trying to get into the studio.” I watch as he walks back into the building, the door slamming closed behind him.
I sink down to the floor, surrounded by every single thing I’ve ever owned, all of it scattered over the floor. A hint of something I can’t quite place flickers through my mind, filling me with pure agony. Memories of a hall filled with bunk beds and dim lights, a man’s voice calling my name… just as I think the memory will solidify, it’s gone, leaving me feeling empty.
I have nowhere to go, no one to turn to. There are a few people I know from college, but I’m not close enough to anyone to ask for help. The only person I’ve ever dared to rely on was Ryan, but I can’t call him. I won’t.
I gather my things together as I try to think of a solution. There’s one place I can go to right now. If nothing else, that’ll give me a few hours to figure out what my options are. I bite down on my lip as I open up the ridesharing app on my phone and order a taxi to Sinclair Security.
If I get caught sneaking into the office after hours with all of my belongings in tow, it isn’t just my pride that’ll be at risk. It’s my job too. Sinclair Security doesn’t condone a lack of professionalism, and I’ve already angered Silas once. But what else can I do?
I’m terrified as I walk into the building, my arms trembling under the weight of the boxes I’m carrying. Just a few more steps until the elevator. Please, I silently beg. Please don’t let anyone see me.
For once, my luck holds up, and I make it to my floor undetected. I place my boxes underneath the desk I used today and sink into my chair, trying my best to keep from crying.
At times like these, I find myself wondering if there’s anyone out there who misses me, who’d want to be there for me… but then I remember that in all these years, no one has ever come looking for me.
I grab my phone, wondering if there’s anyone I could call, only to find twenty-two missed calls from Ryan. I unlock my phone and frown at the countless messages he’s sent me.
Ryan: Where are you?
Ryan: Why aren’t you picking up?
Ryan: I’m in front of your house
Ryan: Please, can we talk?
Ryan: Seriously, Alanna. Where are you?
Ryan: Call me as soon as you see this
Ryan: I’m worried, honey
I hesitate for a moment. If I asked, he’d help me. He might have been talking shit about me, but he’s never actually treated me badly otherwise, and even though I’ve been going out of my way to avoid him lately, he hasn’t stopped trying to contact me. I don’t have anyone else I can turn to. He’s all I’ve got.
“Alanna?”
I tense, a surge of panic rushing through me. My heart starts to race and my stomach drops, fear rendering me speechless.
“What are you doing here at this hour?”
I turn to face Silas, trying my best to keep from trembling. Tears start to gather in my eyes, and though I try my best to keep them in, I can’t keep them from spilling. He told me I’d lose my job if I messed up in the slightest, and I barely lasted a week. Showing up even remotely hungover can cost you a job, let alone this. Using company assets for personal purposes is strictly prohibited, and I’ve definitely crossed the line. “Please,” I beg. “Let me explain. Please don’t fire me, Silas. Please. I swear I can explain.”
He walks up to me and places his hands on my shoulders, his gaze reassuring. “Okay,” he says. “I won’t fire you.”
I blink in surprise, and he nods at me. “I won’t fire you, Alanna. Just tell me what’s going on, okay?”
“I… I was evicted without notice. I had nowhere to go, and I know this is unprofessional, but I just came here because I needed somewhere to think. I won’t stay here, I swear. It had started to rain, and I just didn’t know where to go. I’m so sorry. I know you want to get rid of me and you have a zero tolerance policy for unprofessionalism. I know that… but please, please… I-I’ll call a friend now to come get me.”