Page 60 of Interview with a Sadist
“She came to my apartment, Nolan,” I inform him, and the blood in his face drains completely.
“Right after we got off the phone, I opened the door to leave and there she was, standing at the bottom of the steps like she knew I was coming. When I asked how she knew where I lived, she admitted she’d been following me sinceFriday, and that she knew I was in your office that night. She’s fucking crazy. She even told me she’d slept in her car just to confront me this morning, and before it was all over, I’m pretty sure she threatened me. It was fucking scary.”
Nolan suddenly gets up from the table and pulls me into a hug. I’m angry enough to push him away, but my fear needs the comfort and I end up putting my arms around him, too.
“I’m sorry, Bree,” he says, his voice deep with worry. “That’s crazy, and I’m so sorry that happened to you. I’ll talk to Maddy.”
“How you gonna do that?” Ethan says, finally chiming in. “She hasn’t shown up to work since Friday night.”
“I don't know, but the shit she pulled is unacceptable,” Nolan replies, just as I take a step back.
“Wait, she hasn't been to work since Friday?” I ask.
The three men look at each other, and I can tell they’ve already talked about this.
“No,” Nolan says. “I haven't seen or heard from Maddy since she came to my office on Friday. She hasn't shown up to work or answered her phone at all.”
“Well, that’s a fucking bad sign, isn't it?” I snip as a heavy dose of fear returns to my bloodstream.
“Hey, I’m going to find her, and I’ll talk to her,” Nolan says, but it does nothing to make me feel better. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Bree. I promise. Maddy’s situation is partly my fault, and I’ll take responsibility for it. Trust me.”
I pause a moment to look at Nolan, and I can see that he’s being genuine. I see how much he cares and I believe he’ll do whatever he can to find Maddy and talk to her, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still worried. He didn't see the look in her eyes. He didn't see how robotic she was, and how placid her demeanor was when that tear fell down her face. A womanthatupset and calm is terrifying, there isn't anything Nolan could say that would erase the memory of what has happened over the last couple of days.
“She followed me everywhere I went this weekend,” I say. My anger at Nolan becomes completely diluted by my worry, until anxiety is all I feel. “I went to the mall with my friend and Maddy was there, standing in the food court just watching me. This is serious, Nolan.”
“I know,” he says, pulling me in again.
As we hug, I look at E and J, and see the seriousness on their faces as well, but instead of finding comfort in their sympathy, it only makes me more afraid. Their look isn’t one of empathy. It’s apprehension. They’re worried for me.
“Listen, I won't come to work tonight,” Nolan goes on. He takes a step back but keeps both of my hands in his. “E and J can run the club tonight, and I’ll go by Maddy’s place to talk to her.”
“What if she’s not there and you can’t find her?” I ask.
“Then I’ll come by your place to make sure everything is good. I can even stay the night if you're comfortable with that. Whatever it takes to make sure you're safe, Bree. Okay?”
I don't know what else to say. It’s either this, or stay home alone, worried to death that Maddy will find a way inside. So, I guess I have no choice but to accept this and hope for the best.
“Okay,” I reply, but nothing about how I feel is okay.
ChapterThirty-Seven
The knock at my door startles me, and as I rise from my couch, I walk to it in a sour mood. I can’t even relax in my own apartment without jumping at the sound of a knock at the door. Unfortunately, my building isn’t one where someone outside has to be buzzed in before they can come inside, so any stranger on the street can wander into the building and rap on any door. It’s nerve wracking, but the sound of footsteps and whispers in the halls never bothered me before. Ever since Maddy showed up this morning, I’ve been a nervous wreck inside my own home.
When I reach the door and open it, I breathe a sigh of relief even though I knew it would be Nolan. He texted me that he was coming over forty-five minutes ago, but my anxiety still had me on edge while I waited for him. He steps over the threshold wearing an all-gray sweatsuit from top to bottom. Everything is form-fitting, and his black shoes match the black logo on his hoodie. Even when he’s not dressed to impress, he still manages to awe me, but I’m dealing with a crisis right now, so I try to ignore it.
“So?” I say, slamming the door shut and making sure to lock it behind us. Nolan walks in and stands in the middle of the living room, his hands shoved inside the big pocket of his hoodie.
“Well, like I said on the text, she’s not home,” he responds, and I somehow manage to deflate even more. I walk past him and plop down onto the couch as a feeling of hopelessness cascades onto me from the ceiling.
“I can’t believe this is happening to me,” I mumble. I mean for it to be to myself, but Nolan overhears and sits down next to me.
“Hey, nothing is happening to you,” he says, trying to reassure me of my safety. “Yes, Maddy was completely out of line for following you like that, and it’s weird and scary as hell to wake up with a stalker standing at the front of your building, but nothing is going to happen to you, Bree. I promise. I will find Maddy eventually, but until then, I’ll do whatever it takes to make you feel safe. You have my word. Nothing is going to happen to you.”
Nolan relaxes next to me and places an arm over my shoulder, pulling me into a comforting hug. I place my head on his chest and listen to the sound of his heartbeat. Somehow, hearing his helps to calm my own.
“Do you want me to stay for a while?” Nolan asks.
I immediately nod. “Yes. It doesn’t have to be all night. I’m sure you’ll want to check on the club, or you’ve got stuff to do in the morning. Just stay for a while. Maybe have dinner and help me calm my nerves.”
