A Day of Ruin

Chapter 21

Bryson

Whatthehellwas that about?!

I huffed in frustration as I stomped my way back to Harlow and Dex’s apartment.

I had only gone back to work for a brief mandatory meeting before promising Dex and Finn I would be back so we could make plans and get to the bottom of this. I believed they were just heading to the restaurant to patch over some sour business deal while I was out then it was full steam ahead for Mission Harlow.

However that all went to shit when I went to grab a cup of coffee as I was leaving work. Frigging Skylar jumped on me and kissed me. I knew she had feelings for me, she was constantly trying to flirt with me but I had told her before that I didn’t want to date work colleagues.

Except for Harlow.

Harlow had always been the exception.

Skylar looked heartbroken when I pushed her off and told her no, but frankly I was just mad now. I didn’t get mad often – annoyed, yes – but it took me a lot to get to mad.

All morning I had panicked, thinking about Harlow and how desperate I was to get back to her apartment. We needed to do something and I was doing my best to keep calm and in control, then that crap happened.

I wrapped my knuckles on the door, waiting as I heard shuffling behind the door. It was pulled open and I nodded in acknowledgment at Dex, who looked equally as exhausted as I did.

“Finn shouldn’t be far off. He had to sort out some stuff at the restaurant but I came back in case. I think she’s back.”

My neck snapped towards Harlow’s closed bedroom door. “Have you seen her?”

“No,” Dex answered, also looking at the door. “But I heard her door slam shut when I was in the bathroom. It sounded like she was crying.”

We both turned as another knock sounded and Finn opened the door himself and walked in. Dex raised his hands in question.

“What?” glared Finn, “I don’t have time to wait for you.”

Dex opened his mouth to argue but I cut him off.

“So you thought she was upset?”

Finn’s eyebrows shot up. “Harlow? Is she back?” he asked, urgently.

Dex pointed his thumb towards Harlow’s bedroom. “I think she’s in there. How did we want to do this?”

“We need to be gentle. She doesn’t like confrontation,” I said, looking at Dex in warning.

His eyes flashed as Finn spoke up.

“It’s her mom’s birthday today.”

“What?” Dex and I answered in unison.

Finn crossed his arms with a sigh. “I was thinking about it before then I remembered. She used to have some weird little quirky traditions with her family on their birthdays. So she might be upset about that.”

“Do we think now is the best time to ask her about the stalker then? Should we leave it until tomorrow?” I looked between them.

Dex shook his head. “No. Because if anything, we need to make sure she’s okay. I can’t stand the fucking thought of her in our apartment hurting herself...”

My stomach clenched in agreement and I bit back the nausea as I nodded. “Let’s chat with her then.”

The three of us remained still, none of us making the effort to go to her door. Fear and uncertainty on all our faces as finally Finn let out a deep breath.

“Okay, I’ll go first.”

He shouldered past us towards her room, stopping in front of the door as he looked back at us for support. We stood close by, nervously moving as we watched and waited.

“Hurry the fuck up, Finn,” snapped Dex, his eyes on the door handle.

“Okay, fine!” he roused back. He knocked on the door and we waited with bated breath.

The seconds ticked by and my concern grew as we were met with silence. I could see it on Dex and Finn’s faces too – they also didn’t like it.

“Should we knock again?” I asked.

Finn shook his head, sharing a look with Dex. “Nah, fuck that again.”

I stepped back slightly as he grabbed the handle and threw the door open. The force shocked me but the three of us automatically piled in through the door, looking around.

Despite being great at numbers, I’ve also always had an interest in medicine and science. When I was a teenager, I did a report on out of body experiences. I was always so curious about the stories but I believed that they probably weren’t real. Or at least, rare – subject only to trauma.

I guess that part might be at least true. The trauma, I mean. Because I was 100 fucking percent certain I was having an out of body experience.

My eyes were wide as I stared down in shock and horror.

No.

No no no.

This could NOT be happening.

The three of us all sprung into action at the same time, my arm colliding with one of them but I wasn’t sure who. My knees hit the carpet, as Finn grabbed Harlow’s still body off the floor and cradled her. Dex was next to me, horror and devastation on his face as he watched helplessly.

Blood. There was so much blood.

On the carpet.

On her.

I looked down and found the silver blade, the sharp edge still wet with blood as Finn started screaming at us to call an ambulance and get a towel.

Dex looked around and grabbed an old towel from Harlow’s laundry basket, flinging it at Finn who was quickly tying it around her left arm.

My throat and mouth dried as I watched the white fluffy material slowly turn red. I reached for my cell in my back pocket, dialling the emergency line as I yelled at them for an ambulance.

I leaned over, watching Harlow as Finn tapped her cheek.

“Harlow! Har! Wake up! Wake the fuck up!”

It felt like I had a lump in my throat and I watched as Dex grabbed her, shaking her body, which earned a yell from Finn. The two of them yelled at each other, fighting over Harlow as they both tried to wake her.

My self-restraint finally snapped and I slammed my fist into the floor.

“STOP IT! Both of you!”

They paused, looking at me. I could see them both shaking, their nerves frazzled and I pushed Dex out of the way. To my surprise, he let me and I moved closer to Harlow’s face.

Cupping her cheek, I leaned down so our faces were close.