Chapter 4

I started the car and drove home.

The elevator doors slid open. I saw May's door was tightly shut, but there was something wedged under the door.

I walked closer and saw it was the corner of a squashed delivery box.

It looked like it was trying to squeeze out from inside, but the door had trapped it.

I shot it a cold look, pulled out my keys, and unlocked my own door.

When I got home, Mark was already off work and back at the apartment.

He was sprawled on the couch, glued to his video game, and didn't even bother to look up when I walked in. "Why are you home so late today?"

"The property manager needed to talk to me about something," I replied as I slipped off my shoes.

At the mention of the property manager, Mark finally paused his game. "The property manager? For what?

"Is there any update on May's issue?"

I told him everything that happened at the property management office, just as it went down, including those strange photos and May's absurd complaint.

I figured Mark would at least see it as May getting what she deserved, even if he didn't find it satisfying.

But after I finished, he frowned. "Claire, this is seriously messed up.

"Your neighbor's place is spawning packages, and they're all addressed to you.

"Aren't you even a little scared?"

I looked at him. "Why should I be scared? It's not like they're showing up in our apartment."

Mark stood up and walked over to me. "That's not how it works.

"This whole mess started because of you. I really think you should go talk to May and get this settled."

I couldn't believe my ears. "Settle it? How am I supposed to do that?

"When she took my stuff, how come you never told me to go talk to her and make her give everything back?"

Mark sounded annoyed. "That's not the same thing.

"Yeah, stealing was wrong, but isn't she getting payback now?

"I mean, May is just an old lady, and her place is trashed now. She's kinda pitiful.

"Just show a little kindness and check out what's going on.

"If there's really something weird or supernatural happening, it could mess with us, too."

Pitiful? Kindness?

I stared at Mark, suddenly feeling like he was a complete stranger.

When all my stuff got stolen, he told me to drop it.

Now the thief was finally getting payback, and he wanted me to pity her?

Seriously, how did that make any sense?

I said, "Mark, let's be clear. May is the one harassing me now.

"She stole from me first, and then falsely accused me.

"I don't owe her anything, and I have zero interest in dealing with her mess.

"I'm tired. I want some rest."

I didn't want to argue with Mark anymore, so I turned away to go to my bedroom.

But Mark grabbed my wrist, his grip was so strong that it actually hurt. "Claire, why do you have to be so stubborn?

"Everyone in the building is on edge because of May's issue now.

"Did you know her son actually came to see me today?"

I froze. "Her son came to you?"

"Yeah!" Mark raised his voice. "He was waiting for me downstairs at work this afternoon. He said his mom's about to lose it, just rambling to herself at home every day.

"He begged me to talk to you, to show some mercy and let May off.

"Do you know how embarrassed I was?"

I yanked my hand free and rubbed my wrist, which was already turning red. My heart kept sinking.

I'd met May's son a few times.

He was in his thirties, always loafing around, never had a real job. He mooched off May without a shred of guilt.

Now that May was in trouble, he suddenly went to Mark, acting all pitiful.

"So what did you say?" I asked, my voice icy.

Mark sighed. "What else could I do? I told him I'd do my best to talk to you when I got home.

"Claire, just hear me out. Let's give May the two thousand dollars. Just chalk it up to bad luck and move on.

"Let her take care of those packages, and we can move on, alright?"

He asked me to give May money?

I worked so hard to earn money, and May just took the stuff I bought from me.

Not only did I not get it back, but now I was also supposed to hand over even more, just so Mark can keep up his ridiculous pride?

In that instant, my anger hit its peak, but my face stayed eerily calm.

"No way," I said.

Mark's expression changed completely. "Claire, what the hell do you want?

"Do you have to blow this up until everything falls apart before you're satisfied?

"You're being so selfish!"

Selfish? So I was selfish just for protecting what was mine?

I was selfish because I wouldn't cover for a thief?

Great.

I looked Mark straight in the eye and said slowly and clearly, "Yeah, I am selfish.

"From now on, don't bring this up to me again.

"If you do, then there's nothing left between us."

I didn't even bother to look at his furious face. I marched straight into the bedroom, slammed the door, and locked it behind me.

I pressed myself against the door, unable to stop shaking.

This wasn't just a battle with a neighbor anymore. It was a showdown with Mark, and with the kind of life where I always tried to keep the peace.

But this time, I wasn't backing down, not even an inch.