Page 65 of Meant to Be

“Stop lying to me, bitch!”

“She’s telling the truth,” I spoke up, fearing he would become even more violent. “She’s my real estate agent. She doesn’t work in this building. We don’t know about any safe or combination.”

Through the eye cutouts of his mask, I saw dark eyes turned on me. I shivered at the lack of empathy I saw there. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen such a look. Terror mixed with anger began to rise up in me. Who the fuck did these assholes think they were to interrupt our day like this and steal our belongings?

“What the fuck are you doing?” I called out, sitting up on my knees, finding a strength I hadn’t even known I possessed.

“Get down on the floor, bitch!” the second guy called out, moving to my side to raise the gun.

On pure adrenaline, fear, and instinct, I bent my arm, and with all of the strength I could muster I elbowed the guy right in his crotch.

He crumpled immediately, yelling, “Argh!”

“Ahh!” Darla and I both screamed when he dropped his gun, causing it to shoot off a round.

That must’ve spooked the hell out of the first guy because he yelled, “Oh shit!” and ran out of the room.

The would-be robber laid on the ground, moaning in pain.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Darla questioned as I moved to pick up the gun.

I had no idea how to handle a gun but I kept it trained on our assailant and ordered, “Call 911!” to Darla instead of answering her question. I scrambled from the floor and shut the door of the bedroom we were in, not knowing if the other guy was still in the condo or not.

“Let me out of here!” The guy I’d dropped with an elbow, groaned, trying to get up.

“Oh God!” Darla shouted into the phone, fearing the man.

“Take one step in this direction and I’ll blow your fucking head off.” There wasn’t even the most minute trace of a tremor in my voice. I didn’t even know how to shoot the gun I held but I would figure it out to make good on my word. That’s how pissed I was.

“Please hurry!” Darla implored to the 911 operator.

I ignored the realization that soon police officers would be swarming the apartment. I had to remind myself that, in this case, the police were needed.

It felt like forever but I nearly jumped out of my skin when a loud voice rang through the condo.

“It’s the police,” Darla whispered.

I moved from in front of the door and slowly lowered the gun before opening it.

“Thank God!” Darla blurted out upon seeing the uniformed officers. She quickly re-explained what happened to the officers, as they’d also been told by the 911 operators.

I stared on as the officers handcuffed the masked man. I hadn’t even thought to remove his face mask.

“Ma’am?”

“Don’t touch me!” I jumped when one of the officers reached for my arm. I stepped back, shaking. “I-I’m sorry.” I had to remind myself that they were there to help us.

Minutes later, a police detective entered the room, also requesting that we tell him our stories of what happened.

I’d hoped as soon as we finished answering his questions, we’d be given the green light to leave. But minutes after arriving, the detective received a phone call and as soon as he hung up, he insisted that Darla and I be brought down to the station. He informed us that it was for our safety. My knees felt weak at the idea of going to a police station. The strength I’d mustered until then was all but whittling away.

****

Joshua

“Where is she?” I demanded as soon as I pushed my way through the double doors of the police station and saw Brutus standing there, waiting.

“Calm do—”