Chapter 5
After finishing my meal, I packed up the takeout containers and tossed them into the trash bag.
Then, I dialed another number.
"Hello, is this the power company?" I asked.
"Yes, I need to give you my account number and ask to temporarily suspend my electricity," I said.
"This is Andrew, the account holder," I added.
"Here's my ID number..." I continued.
I gave them all the details clearly.
Upstairs, Tom seemed to have overheard something.
His expression suddenly shifted, and he shouted down from upstairs.
"Andrew! What are you trying to do?" he yelled.
I didn't bother responding and just kept talking into the phone.
"Yeah, do it now. Make it effective right away," I said.
And then I hung up.
Less than ten minutes later.
A commotion broke out in the building.
"The power's out." someone shouted.
"Why did the TV go dark?" another voice cried.
"My phone's not charging." someone else yelled.
Panicked shouts echoed through the building.
Right after that, I made another call.
"Is this the water company?" I asked.
"I want to pause my water service.
"It's Andrew, the account holder."
This time, the people upstairs totally lost it.
They finally realized I wasn't here to negotiate.
I was here to trap them here until they died.
Mark showed up on the second-floor balcony.
His hair was a mess, and his eyes were bloodshot.
"Andrew! Please, I'm sorry." Mark shouted desperately.
He yelled at me.
"Come on, just turn the power and water back on, okay? Let's talk!
"We really know we messed up."
I leaned against my car, watching him with a cold stare.
Like I was watching a pathetic clown.
Talk?
Now he wanted to talk?
Too late.
My phone rang.
It was Emily again.
This time, her voice was choked with tears and desperation.
"Andrew, are you really going to drive us to our deaths?" she cried.
"It's not 'us,'" I cut her off.
"It's you, and them."
"What's the difference? They're my family."
"Fine," I said. "Open your phone and check your bank account balance."
Emily hesitated, stunned.
"What's the point of checking my balance?" she asked.
"Just do it," I said.
There was silence on the other end.
I could hear her fingers swiping across the screen.
About ten seconds passed.
Then she gasped, unable to believe what she saw.
"Wh-what is this?" Emily stammered.
"I sent it to you," I said.
"About 167,000 dollars.
"That's literally all the money I've managed to save up over the past three years, besides what I spent building your house for you.
"The password is your birthday.
"Take the money, it's your call now.
"Just open the door, walk out on your own, and start fresh.
"Or you can stay locked up in there with those thirty-something people, starving and cut off from everything."
"Andrew..." Emily's voice trembled.
"You've got ten minutes to decide," I said coldly.
With that, I hung up.
Then, I looked up at the building.
I stared at Emily, the little sister I once would have done anything to protect.
Now, I was waiting to see what choice she'd make.
This was her final test.
Ten minutes.
It felt like an eternity.
I leaned against my car, chain-smoking.
I didn't look at the building.
I was afraid I'd see something I couldn't bear.
I'd paved the way for her in every way I could.
Gave her an escape, a safety net, and even the money to start fresh.
If she still couldn't step out after everything I'd done...
Then I'd have failed her as her brother, through and through.
My phone buzzed.
I picked it up.
It was a text from Emily.
Just two words.
[Open the door.]
My heart hit rock bottom.
In the end, she still chose them over me.
I took a deep breath and crushed out my cigarette.
Then I straightened up and walked toward the wall.
When the workers were building the wall, they left a small opening right where the old gate used to be, just like I told them.
On the outside, bricks were loosely stacked, hiding it from view.
I moved the bricks aside, revealing a small iron gate inside.
I took out my key and slipped it into the lock.
Turned it.
The gate swung open.
I didn't go in.
I just stood outside the door, waiting.
Inside, there was a commotion and arguing.
"Emily, you can't leave." someone shouted.