Chapter 53: A New Weapon
It was a Friday evening. The office had closed early, and cars were already rushing home. But Alex wasn’t in the mood for rest. He made his way to the Gatehouse, where Elliot was staying.
Alex had formed the habit of visiting him every Friday evening and sometimes stayed for the weekend. Not just to keep an eye on him, but to make sure he didn’t feel alone. Elliot had been through a lot. And in moments like this, when the world slowed down, loneliness could bite the hardest.
But when Alex walked in, the place was empty. "Elliot?" he called... No answer.
He checked the small kitchen, the narrow bedroom, and even looked behind the Gatehouse. Nothing. The place was silent.
Alex’s heart beat a little faster. He stepped outside and scanned the quiet surroundings. Just then, the gate creaked. Elliot walked in slowly with a faint smile on his lips.
Alex’s chest tightened. He walked toward him. "Where have you been?" he demanded. "Where did you go? Did you go out alone?"
Elliot, slightly caught off guard, gave a small shrug. "I wasn’t far," he said casually. "Just nearby."
"What? What do you mean by nearby?" His voice began to rise. "Do you not understand what kind of danger you’re in? Do you not know they could be anywhere, watching?" His anger was heating up fast. "Are you so eager to put your life at risk?"
Elliot raised his hands slightly. "Hey, calm down, dawg," he said with a tired chuckle. "I was just strolling."