Tell Me a Story – Part XVII

July 19, 2012 By 10 Comments

Last week, we discovered that Kate’s room was bugged. Will this week bring her any answers?

You all gave me a setting for this week’s installment – a phone booth. And, well, far as I could tell, phone booths are hard to come by in modern day Seattle, but I didn’t want to let you down. Sooo…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You really didn’t have to come with me. I’m sure you other have things to do.”

I looked up at Eli, slightly embarrassed to be indulging in my nerdier interests with him following.

“The meeting with David yesterday was the top of my to do list, so all clear for today. And until we can figure out who bugged your place and why, I feel it’s best that you weren’t alone.”

He wasn’t kidding. Since the incident at the apartment I’d spent practically every moment with Eli by my side. Granted, that was easier on work days, but this was the weekend. When I told him about my plans to hit a conference on Saturday, he insisted on joining me without asking what the conference was.

“So,” he said, picking up a box off the table, “this is what you enjoy in your spare time?”

“Sir, could you set that down?”

“Sorry, mate.” Eli set the box down on the table and raised his hands apologetically. The man behind the table gingerly moved the box closer to him, rearranging the other figures on the table to accommodate the change in position.

“I don’t collect those, if that’s what you’re asking,” I said, pointing to the Star Wars memorabilia as we continued walking. “But yes, I like a lot of this stuff.”

Eli gave a shrug and nod, without saying anything.

“Oh, come on, tons of people love this stuff.”

“No judgments. I just wasn’t expecting…this. I thought maybe we were going to a flower and garden show or something.”

I shot him a look. “Because I’m a girl?”

“No, of course not,” he answered with a grin.

We stopped in front of a booth specializing in steampunk costumes and accessories. I stood scanning the intricate pieces for something interesting to take home. While I made my way around the table, I could see Eli to the side, brow furrowed, glancing around the ballroom.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Hmm?”

I stepped away from the table and closer to Eli. “You look distracted. And not by the barely-there costume that chick over there is wearing.”

Eli continued looking off, then grabbed my hand. “Walk.”

“What?”

“Just keep up. And act normal. Or whatever normal is in this place.”

I felt myself walking quicker to keep up with Eli’s long stride. “What’s wrong?”

“We’re being followed.”

We ducked into a crowd of people heading for an unmarked doorway, leading to an empty hallway.

“Give me your phone.”

“What?”

I fumbled with my purse, finally retrieving the phone just as a man jumped out in front of us.

“Did you really think you could slip away that easily, H–”

Before the man could finish, Eli lunged at him, punching him in the throat. The man stood there dazed, while Eli delivered a second blow to his jaw, the man collapsing in a heap on the floor. He laid there, quiet and still.

“What just happened?” My voice squeaked as I continued, “Oh my…did you just kill him?”

“Shhh!”

Eli squatted down, grabbing the man under the arms, and began dragging him quickly down the hall. He nodded towards a door behind him. “Quickly. Open that door.”

I stood motionless.

“Kate! Snap out of it. The door. Now.”

I walked over, grabbing the handle. “It’s locked.”

Eli sighed, dropping the body on the floor, turning his attention to the locked door. He fished around in his pocket, pulling out a paper clip. Within moments I heard the click of the door unlocking. Eli turned back to the man on the floor, dragged him into what looked like a darkened electrical closet, then locked and closed the door behind him.

“Where’s your phone?”

I handed it over and followed as he quickly made his way down the hall, back to the ballroom entrance, dumping my phone in a trashcan by the door.

Back in the ballroom, he grabbed my hand again, scanning the crowd as we continued walking.

“Eli, what is going on?”

He didn’t answer.

I stopped walking, causing him to jerk back slightly.

“What are you doing? We can’t just stand here, Kate. It’s likely that man wasn’t alone.”

“No. I’m not going anywhere until we talk.”

“Kate…”

I pulled my hand from his and walked towards a particularly crowded area, Eli following.

“Kate, come on.”

“You want me to go with you? We talk. Here.”

I grabbed his hand and pulled him into a big blue box, pulling the small door shut behind us.

“A phone booth? You want to sort this out in a phone booth?”

I shook my head. “Are you sure you’re British?”

“Of course. Why would you ask that?”

I motioned to the tiny space around us, as if his ignorance of what we were standing in was explanation enough. He shrugged.

“Whatever. I’ll explain later. What just happened in that hallway? Did you,” I lowered my voice, “did you just kill that guy?”

“No, he’s just unconscious. But we might end up in worse shape than him if we don’t get out of here.”

“Why? What do you know?”

“Kate, you know someone has been after you. Apparently they knew you would be here – the guy in the hallway didn’t look like he wanted a friendly chat.”

“Yeah, well, he also didn’t sound like he wanted me. I’m beginning to think that I’m not the one these people, whoever they are, really want.”

“Kate–”

“I’m not an idiot, Eli, so don’t lie to me. I’m not moving from this spot until you start telling me the truth.”

Eli leaned back, letting his head bang against the wall behind him. “Fine. But can we do it somewhere else? It’s a little cramped in here.”

“I don’t know. It IS bigger on the inside.”

“What?”

I sighed. “Forget it.”

~~~~~~

Will Kate and Eli continue their conversation in the “phone booth”? If not, what location will they choose to discuss what’s been going on? You decide.

Also, feel free to speculate in the comments. Some of you have done so in emails and tweets – I love hearing what you think. :)

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Tell Me a Story – Part XVI

July 12, 2012 By 8 Comments

Last week, we left Kate and her cohorts watching security footage (yay for paranoid roommates), waiting to see who showed up. Based on the comments, several of you seem set on seeing some clowns in this story.

Did someone tell you about my fear? Sigh.

Give the people what they want!

~~~~~

“Wait! The door is opening. What in the world?”

I pointed at the screen, confused. A figure dressed in all white, face painted, appeared. He strolled in, calm and casual, and headed for the bathroom.

“Is that…” Eli paused, leaning in to get a closer look.

Hi, Phil.

“Did you anger a clown, kotik?” Anton sounded more amused than concerned.

“Oh, that’s just Phil.” Anton, Eli, and I all looked at Red, waiting for further explanation. When she didn’t offer any, I spoke up.

“Oh, just Phil, the creepy clown who hangs out in our bathroom when we aren’t around?”

Red sighed. “Don’t be silly. He handles building maintenance. We had a drippy faucet, so I called in a work order.”

“And the, uh, outfit?”

“He’s part of that commedia dell’arte group up the road. I’m sure you’ve heard of them. He’s the Pierrot, obviously.”

“Obviously,” I mimicked, rolling my eyes. I looked back at the screen, watching as the clown paused to leave a note on the counter before leaving.

Within minutes, the door opened again. This time, three men walked in, dressed in all black, faces covered.

We all watched silently as they made their way through the apartment, turning over drawers, pulling up couch cushions, and generally wreaking havoc throughout the apartment.

Eli leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper. “Do you recognize them, Kate?”

I stayed silent, unsure. I never saw the men who grabbed me that night in the alley. But there were three of them, dressed in all black, faces covered.

“What are they looking for?” Red was squinting, as if that would reveal something more than what we were all seeing.

“I thought you said your room was untouched, Kate.” Eli was pointing to a man walking up the stairs to my room.

“It was. Is.”

The man was back down the stairs in minutes, and with a nod to the other two men, they were out the door.

“Did they even take anything?” Red’s voice was raised in alarm. “They had to take something.”

I shook my head. “I didn’t see them carrying anything. Maybe they didn’t find what they came for?”

Red hurried away from the counter and began searching through her desk drawers and bookshelves, leaving Eli, Anton, and me standing at the counter.

“So, we will search Kate’s room, yeah?” Anton was looking at Eli as he spoke.

Eli nodded. “Keep Red occupied. May as well let her think this is about her.”

Anton seemed reluctant, giving a grunt in response, but headed over to Red without argument, offering to help.

“Come on, then,” Eli said, as he headed for the stairs.

Confused, I followed. When we reached the top, I watched as he scanned the room, feeling the edges of a dresser, picking up various objects and setting them down again.

“What are you doing? And what was that with you and Anton?”

He held a finger to his mouth as he reached under a lamp shade. He paused, hand still under the shade and smiled, pulling his hand back with something pinched between his thumb and forefinger.

“What–”

He signaled for me to hush again, held out the tiny item for me to see, and mouthed, “Someone’s listening.”

~~~~~~

Your assignment this week, should you choose to accept, is to give me a setting. Something is going down next week, but where?

Be sure to leave your suggestions in the comments, and feel free to just generally chat about what’s going on. Speculation is fun!

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Tell Me a Story – Part XV

July 5, 2012 By 7 Comments

Last week, I took a little hiatus, but the week before I asked you all to determine what happens with Eli and Anton in the same room.

I went with a combo of Patrica and Brian’s suggestions:

I’ll throw this out there: These two actually know each other, but don’t like each other much. They don’t let on that they have worked together, but they have collaborated in the past.

Eli knows a secret about Anton. It’s not necessarily something bad (I’ll leave that up to your crazily creative abilities) but Anton does not want it spilled and Eli knows that.

For the sake of the story, I can’t tell you more than that. :)

~~~~~~~

“Who are you calling?”

Eli had arrived within minutes of hanging up to find me sitting on the kitchen counter, chewing on my thumb, phone to my ear.

“Red. Again. She didn’t pick up before.” Before, being the last three times I called.

Eli nodded, saying nothing.

A voice suddenly came across the phone. Red’s voice. “You know, most people just leave a voice mail when someone chooses not to answer.”

My words rushed out in relief. “Red! I’m so glad it’s you.”

“Who else would it be?”

“Listen, someone broke into the apartment. It’s trashed. I didn’t see your laptop or you, so I was worried something–”

“What?! I’ll be right there.”

I stared at the phone for a moment. “When did people stop finishing conversations before hanging up? It’s not like the phone doesn’t go with you.”

Eli smiled. “Glad to see you’re retaining your sense of humor, given the circumstances.”

“Don’t let that fool you. I’m sufficiently freaked out.”

“Red’s okay I take it?”

“Well, she hasn’t been abducted at least. We’ll see how okay she is when she sees the apartment.”

“Have you called the police?”

I shook my head. “Besides the fact that I haven’t had the chance, I wasn’t sure I should. You know, with everything that’s been going on, I wouldn’t know where to begin”

Eli started to say something else but was interrupted by a knock at the door. “Are you expecting someone?”

“Oh yeah.” I hopped off the counter and headed for the door. “That should be Anton.”

Anton strode in, pausing to give me a quick kiss on the forehead. He took in the mess around him before stopping to stare at Eli. Eli gave Anton a nod. “Anton.”

Anton kept his stare, and I thought for a moment I heard a low growl coming from his direction. “What are you doing here?”

“He called after I got off the phone with you, Anton.”

I stood there, an unintended spectator of an impromptu staring contest. I was relieved when Red came through the door.

“Red! I’m so glad to see you,” I blurted, feeling slightly guilty that my relief had more to do with ending the awkward contest than with her safety. Red ignored my greeting and looked the disaster around her.

“Have you called the police?”

“No…” I glanced over at Eli, wishing I had telepathic powers as I wondered how to explain why I hadn’t yet involved the proper authorities.

“Good,” Red responded, and began to gather up papers strewn about the living room.

“Good?”

“We can’t know who is involved or high up this goes.” Red’s voice was excited and she was almost smiling. “I must have stumbled on something…”

Her voice trailed off as she looked up at Anton. “Who is this?”

“This is my friend Anton. He was on the phone with me when I walked in.”

Red tossed the pile of papers she’d gathered on to the dining room table and walked up to Anton. She was tall enough to look him in the eye and had he been anyone else, her stare would have been intimidating. “And why did you come?”

“To make sure Kate is safe. And to help.”

“How do you propose to do that?

“The building, it has security cameras?”

This time Red not only smiled, she laughed. “Oh, this apartment has much better than that.”

She grabbed her bag from the counter, pulled out her laptop, and began to type. Within minutes, four frames appeared on the screen, each a different part of the apartment, the four of us in the bottom corner.

“What in the world, Red? You never told me there are cameras in here.”

Red smiled, and Anton laughed. “Clever.”

Eli spoke up. “So this is the live feed. You store the recordings?”

“All of them. You never know when you might need record of the going ons in your home.”

Eli and Anton both nodded.

“Am I the only one that thinks this is weird?” My question went unanswered as Red began scanning through the recordings. “And is that my bedroom?!”

I tried to hide my horror as video of me appeared, singing and dancing in a towel. “Oops,” she grinned. “I went back too far. So sorry.”

“Sure you are,” I mumbled, avoiding eye contact with both Eli and Anton.

“Here we go.” Red pointed to the bottom corner of the screen. “There I am leaving. There’s only a few hours between when I left and you called.”

We all stood around Red’s laptop, waiting to find some kind of answer.

~~~~~~~~~

What kind of answers (or questions) does Red’s video bring?

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Tell Me a Story – Part XIV

June 21, 2012 By 6 Comments

Last week, you had to come up with a difficult situation for Kate. Again, you guys were all over place and I think I may have been as entertained with your comments as with the actual story. I went with Tiffany White’s suggestion. Actually, I sorta went with both of her suggestions:

A tough situation, huh? How about Anton looks into George and he’s hesitant to tell her what he finds. When they do finally meet up, both Anton and Kate feel like they are being watched?

OR

Someone catches wind of Red’s meeting group and walks in and trashes the apartment when neither girl is home. 

~~~~~

“So, he was up to something shady then?”

I paused on the sidewalk, digging to the bottom of my bag for the apartment key, pinning the phone between my ear and shoulder.

“No. I said there were suspicious deposits and withdrawals.”

I loved Anton, but sometimes I thought talking to him should be considered a competitive sport.

“Riiight. Which would mean he was up to something.”

“Normally.”

I sighed.

“But something isn’t normal.”

“Yes. The records. They do not not make sense.”

“How so?”

“I did some digging. They all originate on same day.”

“So he made the deposits and withdrawls on the same day.”

“No. Is not what I said. The dates are different. But the records did not come from those dates.”

I took a moment as I unlocked the door to the building to digest what Anton was saying.

“You’re saying that the records are fake?”

“I do not know for sure.”

“Did you find the source?”

I could hear Anton grumble. Puzzles he couldn’t solve were rare. And upsetting. “Not yet, kotik.”

“That’s so weird,” I said, entering the apartment. “What would anyone have to gain by…”

“By? Kate?”

I stood in silence, staring at the disaster area that was the apartment. Couch cushions ripped, drawers dumped, tables overturned, and Red nowhere to be found. “Oh my…”

“What is wrong? What is happening?”

“Anton, someone trashed the apartment.”

“What? I am coming over.”

Before I could answer, Anton was already gone. I scanned the room. Among the mess, I noticed Red’s laptop was missing. I hoped that meant she found a reason to leave the apartment with it, but the sick feeling in my stomach believed otherwise.

I rushed up the stairs to see what the damage was in my room. When I reached the top of the stairs, I was shocked to find it in relative order. Nothing made sense.

I jumped as my phone played Minuet in D and answered it.

“Hey, Eli.”

“You okay? You don’t sound good.”

“I’m okay. But my apartment is trashed.”

“Red’s friends throw a crazy midday party?” Eli laughed at his joke, but I stayed quiet. “Okay…what’s wrong?”

“Red’s gone. Someone was here, looking for something, maybe? I don’t know. I have no idea what is going on.”

“Okay. Calm down. I’m on my way.”

Again, before I could protest, the line was silent.

~~~~~

I have a feeling some of you were hoping to get Eli and Anton in the same room, so, ta-da!

Now, how will they react to each other’s presence? Leave your ideas in the comments below.

If you stumbled upon this installment and need to catch up on the story, head over here!

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