Morning all we have made it to the end of the week and the weekend is in sight. After all the holidays interrupting the work weeks it feels like this actual full sized week was really long. But it was productive. So let’s keep the productivity going by jumping into the morning prompt. Timers set for fifteen and lets get going.
This may be my favorite prompt of the week. And yes, I am going to set the timer for another fifteen minutes and continue. I just don’t want to forget where I was going with this.
Friday, January 9th: The door was slightly ajar.
The door was slightly ajar. Hank felt the hairs on his neck lift and his pulse speed up. He never left his door open. He never left it unlocked. He locked it when he ran downstairs to the mail box or even stepped over to see a neighbor down the hall. When he was inside the door lock and both deadbolts were thrown.
He never left it unlocked and there is no way it could have been left ajar without intervention. His hand slipped towards the small of his back, the habit instinctive. His hand slid across his shirt and he realized he no longer carried a weapon.
He turned it in when he left. Civilians in the Gamma sector did not need weapons. He would have no need to defend himself with anything more than a sharp comment. Or so he was told when he left.
But now his door was ajar.
He leaned over and tapped the edge of the door with his foot letting it swing open as he quickly retracted the limb. The door creaked ominously as it opened then it stopped. The momentum from his foot tap gone. He waited. He could be patient. If there was someone in there then they would be curious long before he was. If he needed to he could leave and go elsewhere. There was nothing in his apartment that he couldn’t live without.
He thought about it, just turning around and walking away. After all, even if whoever was here was long gone they came for a reason. He doubted he would want to know the reason. He took a step back away from the door, preparing to creep back down the hallway.
“I’d rather not wait all day,” a voice said. It came from inside his apartment and froze him into place. “I promise not to shoot you if you just come in. I’m only here to talk.”
He recognized the voice. Knew who waited. He also knew if he promised not to shoot, he wouldn’t. Evans was fair that way. If he planned to shoot, he would tell him.
He sighed and straightened. He walked back to his door and stepped back inside his apartment. Evans was sitting on his couch. There were no weapons in sight but he knew better than anyone that it didn’t mean Evans was unarmed.
“Whatever you are selling, I’m not interested.”
Evans smiled. “What makes you think I’m selling something?”
“You left the door ajar so I’d know someone was here.”
“A friendly gesture,” Evans said. “I didn’t want you to be startled and have a heart attack. I know how fragile you retirees are.”
He snorted and closed the door.
“Lots of locks for this neighborhood. You think the receptionist living next door is that big a threat? Or is it the accountant in two C, she looked pretty shady,” Evans asked. He seemed amused.
“I just can’t get used to the paradise that is the gamma sector,” he said. “Why are you here?”
“Not going to offer me a drink? Tea perhaps. I hear lots of older people like to offer tea to their guests. Maybe from a flowered teapot?”
He frowned. There was a flowered teapot in one of his cupboards, it had been left behind by a previous tenant. He also knew his two nearest neighbors were a receptionist and an accountant. Evans not only searched his apartment but made sure to study the building. ‘And he is letting me know I’m being watched.’
Ten til Midnight 