Chapter 2 - THE BASEMENT
Saturday night, Eli sat on a folding chair in Richard’s basement.
The arcade machines were off.
The windows were small.
The overhead light buzzed.
David stood in front of him.
Richard watched from behind.
On the table:
Sarah’s old tablet.
Eli recognized the cracked corner.
“Where did you get Mom’s iPad?”
David ignored the question.
“What did she tell you?”
Eli frowned.
“About what?”
“The phrase.”
His stomach tightened.
“What phrase?”
David leaned closer.
“Don’t play stupid.”
Richard said quietly:
“Your mother made you memorize something.”
Eli stared at him.
How did they know?
David slammed one palm on the table.
“Say it.”
“No.”
David’s face changed.
Eli’s fear turned into anger.
“You’re weird.”
David slapped him across the face.
Eli reeled sideways.
Tears burned instantly.
He turned back.
“You’re a MONSTER!”
David slapped him again.
“SHUT UP!”
Eli stumbled.
Then looked toward the small basement window.
Richard saw it.
“Don’t.”
Eli ran.
Richard shouted:
“STOP HIM!”
Eli sprinted across the basement.
Jumped onto the old chest freezer.
Yanked the window latch.
David lunged.
Eli kicked the frame open.
Threw himself through.
David’s fingers missed his ankle by inches.
“GET BACK HERE!”
Eli hit the grass outside.
One shoe came off.
He did not stop.
Barefoot now.
Running.
“HELP!”
David burst out the side door.
Eli ran harder.
Across the yard.
Through the gate.
Toward the street.
He never looked back.
At the curb his bare foot caught concrete.
He fell hard.
“AH!”
He tried to crawl up.
“SOMEBODY HELP ME!”
His arms shook.
He pushed halfway upright.
Collapsed.
Headlights swung around the corner.
Tires screamed.
A car stopped.
The door flew open.
“ELI!”
Mark.
His father sprinted toward him.
Eli lifted his head weakly.
May you like
Then saw David stop at the edge of Richard’s property.
And retreat into the dark.
