The Neighbour

By Emily Howitt

Life was simple for Alissa. Easy. She had an exit plan from life. Nothing and no one was going to stop her. Her mind was made up. She was done. Except for one problem. The neighbour. The neighbour with the good looks and the bleeding heart. The neighbour who inserted himself into her life like it was nothing. The neighbour who’s determined to save her. But there’s a problem with that. Alissa doesn’t want to be saved. And the neighbour isn’t telling her the whole truth. He has a few secrets of his own. What’s he hiding? Will he be able to save Alissa, or is it him who needs saving?

This is a novella approximately 30 000 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emily Howitt
• Release date: Mar 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386365044

Book preview

The Neighbour

By

Emily Howitt

Cover Design by James, GoOnWrite.com

The Neighbour

Copyright: Emily Howitt

Published: March 2017

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of quotations.

This is a work of fiction.

This book is dedicated to my grandmother.

Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

One

Blood was trickling down my arm. Blood was everywhere. Coating me. Bathing me. Turning my blond hair into a gruesome red. A deliciously sweet smile on my face. I licked my lips. Tasted the blood. It tasted so good. But I think that was just my imagination and joy that I finally did it. That I finally cut and cut and cut, until it was too late to be saved.

I glanced out the window. My neighbour was walking by. I didn't even know his name. His head jerked toward the window as I dragged the sharp metal of the razor along my arm. I guess I should have closed the curtains, but I liked something about the sun shining in when I died. It made it more dramatic. I laughed when I pictured his scared face. So concerned. I couldn't imagine why. I never knew him. Maybe he was just the type who wanted to help everyone, no matter who they were. That type of person made me sick. But it didn't matter. I wouldn't have to deal with them much longer. No one could save me. I was a lost hope.

The brilliant ivory of the tub sparkled white against the bright red of my blood. Drops fell then cascaded onto the ivory, so darkly beautiful. I stared at it, fixated on it, fearing that my mind would wander back to the reasons why I did this. I did not want to be burdened with them. I wanted to be in peace before my death. I smiled as I felt the world fading, slowly, slipping away. I sank deep into the tub, slipping under the curtain of red.

The last thing I saw before I closed my eyes forever was the neighbour coming in. I vaguely wondered why he was there, then realized it would be some pathetic attempt to save me. But it's too late, I thought, I'm already gone.

*

I opened my eyes. I was groggy and confused. I tried to move my arms but I was too weak. Then I noticed I had several tubes stuck into me. Hell either has a sick mind, or I didn't die and I'm in a hospital. I knew from past experience what it felt like to wake up after an episode, as the doctors called it. The damn neighbour. Damn his stupid concerned look. He managed to save me. Maybe he knew what to do, or maybe the ambulance just got there in record time. But either way, I was not dead, to my dismay. I moaned at this thought, and as if responding to the sound, a nurse came in.

Oh, hello there, miss, she said. Cheerful bright eyes blinked at me. I wanted to rip her throat out. How are you feeling? Are you in pain?

Tons. Which was why I was trying to off myself, but apparently I'm not allowed to. Apparently some guy who I don't know felt it was his right and his goddamn duty to interfere with my life and keep me on this godforsaken planet I was trying to leave. But instead I said, I'm fine.

Well, you just push that little buzzer there if you need anything. The doctor will be with you shortly, she said. Then she left, brown pony tail swinging after her.

I laid back and stared at the ceiling. The walls and furniture were a hideous green colour. Even the door was green. It was the colour of puke. Why do hospitals have to be so ugly? I thought. Like isn't the job to make the patient feel happy, not repulsed? I wondered what they’d do now. Tests. They're probably going to make me take some tests and ask me tons of questions about why I wanted to kill myself. I wondered if they would buy that I was just shaving my arm really badly. A chuckle escaped my throat.

You seem happy for someone who tried to kill themselves, a voice said.

I looked over and noticed it was the neighbour. He was standing near the side of the bed, with a wide smirk on his face. I wanted to punch him. I wanted to rip out his throat along with the nurse and throw them both out the window. But instead I ignored him.

Oh, come on, he said, as he tried not to smile. You're not going to talk to the person who saved your life?

I have nothing to say, I told him, but even as I did I could feel myself caving. There was something about this neighbour. Some sort of charm that he had. A magic power. His eyes were a shiny green and his hair wavy wisps of brown. I'd put him about mid-twenties, the same as me. Thankfully the nurse came back in with the doctor before he could ask any more questions of me.

Ms. Alissa Mernette, the doctor said, with a fake smile plastered to his face, I can't begin to understand the reasons that you have done what you did, but I want to assure you that you will get the help you need here. I'm sure you think that what you're going through is unbearable, but we will do our best to help you sort through whatever it is you're going through.

I had to bite my tongue from laughing at him. The speech was so rehearsed that it was comical. He might have said the right words, but there was no emotion behind them. He looked quite young with light brown hair and dewy eyes. He must have been a new doctor. I was probably his first suicide. Even so, I didn't really care what he said. All I wanted was to get out of that hospital as soon as possible.

When can I leave? I asked the doctor, while I tried to hide the desperation in my voice. I prayed to God that they wouldn't make me stay and talk to a shrink.

We have to keep you for a few days, he said. I tried to keep the scowl from my face. That wasn’t going to happen. I wasn’t planning on spending a few more days on earth, let alone this place for the damned.

Look, I really wasn't trying to kill myself, I said to him. I looked straight into his eyes, unblinking, holding his gaze. I was just shaving my arms. Then the phone rang and it startled me, and I accidentally sliced through one wrist, then caught the other by mistake on the side of my tub. It has a sharp ridge I've been meaning to fix.

That's not what Mr. Cosen told us, the doctor said hesitantly, and I cursed myself for not closing the curtains. My eyes spun to Mr. Cosen and I gave him a pleading look. I silently begged him to say something that would allow me to leave this place.

Mr. Cosen? the doctor asked when he said nothing. There was a long stretch of silence with both sets of eyes on Mr. Cosen. His mouth opened slightly as if he were about to speak, but a nurse popped her head in and told the doctor he was needed immediately.

Excuse me, the doctor said, I will be back shortly.

You expect him to buy that you were shaving your arms? Mr. Cosen said, coming to stand beside my bed.

It could happen, I said tersely. An eyebrow quirked up.

So you were trying to kill yourself. He scowled at me. I hated how full of himself he sounded. I wanted to lash out, but I reigned in my anger. Right now, he held my fate in his hands.

Don't let them keep me, I begged him, tentatively grasping his hand. I promise I won't do it again.

I don't believe you, he replied, snatching his hand away.

I was about to say more but the doctor came back. I began to fear the worst. Mr. Cosen was most certainly not going to lie for me. That was clear as daylight. I was going to be kept here against my will, deemed a danger to myself. I would be forced to endure more agonizing hours on this planet than I cared for.

Now, what did you see, Mr. Cosen? the doctor asked, turning his full attention to him. I dreaded to hear the answer Mr. Cosen would give.

I, he began. I looked away, trying to brace myself for what was to come. Mr. Cosen swallowed and cleared his throat. "I thought I saw Ms. Mernette slicing her wrists, but perhaps she was shaving her arms. There was a lot of blood everywhere. I just assumed