"I didn't mean anything by my remark. You are beautiful, and I was trying to break the ice," Mark said, seeing Jewel stiffen.

"Don't worry about it. I have been a little jumpy lately. I guess I'm working too hard."

Amongst other things. Unsettling things.

"Maybe you should have entered to win the contest," Mark said nonchalantly.

"What contest?" Tension crept up on her like ivy wrapping itself around a tree.

Does he know about my invitation troubles? Are the tenants talking?

"I found a contest entry form inside my apartment. I guess the previous owner left it behind. It was for a two-week vacation at Lake Ashford," Mark explained.

"You saw an entry form for the Lake Ashford contest?" Jewel asked excitedly, the tension in her body easing.

"Yes," he answered, looking at her questionably.

"When was the contest?"

"It already happened. Too bad, or you could have entered to win a vacation."

"I did win it!" Jewel, delighted to have the invitation controversy settled, fist-bumped the air.

"Congratulations!" Mark responded. Looking at her with a crooked smile, he said, "You're weird."

"I don't know how I won. I never entered the contest," Jewel shared, laughing at his comment.

"Maybe one of your friends entered the contest for you."

"I never thought about someone entering the contest for me," Jewel said, excitement springing through her veins.

I wonder if Lindy entered me. Maybe, she doesn't want me to know she did. Perhaps, she acted surprised when she saw the card. That would explain how I found the unaddressed card under my apartment door.

"Are you going to go?" Mark interrupted her thoughts.

"I am not sure."

"Why not? The room is free. The food is free. And, the activities are free. Sounds like a deal worth grabbing to me," he encouraged.

"I know."

"You will be one of its first customers since they remodeled it. Everything's fresh and new."

"That would be nice," Jewel said thoughtfully.

"This time of year, it shouldn't be that crowded either," Mark added.

"Wouldn't it be nice to go when it's deserted? I would be able to move around freely."

"So, are you going?" Mark persisted.

The elevator stopped, and the doors opened.

"This is my floor, " she announced.

Mark held the door as she stepped off. A new bounce in her step, she walked away from the closing doors.

"So... where do you live?"  Asked Jewel when the new tenant exited with her.

"I live in the end apartment," he answered, pointing towards her elderly neighbor's door.

"What? What happened to Mrs. Everly?" Jewel asked, her shoulders tight and rigid.

"Didn't you hear? There was an intruder."

Jewel stared blankly at him.

"She'd fallen asleep in her recliner. They believe that's when the intruder entered, waking her. Frightened, she had a heart attack. Died right there in her chair."

"That's horrible!" Jewel gasped. "When did she pass?"

"It was recent."

That explains why she didn't answer her door the other day. Maybe her intruder was my intruder?

"Were you close to her?" Mark asked, watching the news weigh on her face and shoulders.

"I will miss her. Everybody loved Mrs. Everly."

Jewel wiped a tear from her cheek. "I am going to go. See you later," she said, waving as she entered her apartment.

Tonight, she wanted to be alone. Mark seems like a nice guy- a cute guy. He's easy to talk to, but I am not ready to welcome someone into my life. New friendships create memories, good and bad. I've already had my fair share of bad memories.

Thinking about Mrs. Everly's death made her heart ache. Pouring herself a glass of tea, she sat at the kitchen table. Unable to bear the sorrow weighing on her shoulders, Jewel placed her head in her hands and cried.

Poor Mrs. Every. Why would anyone want to harm her? She didn't have money. Even though she walked with a cane, the woman tried to help everyone. I get that they entered her apartment looking for a quick buck, but why hurt a defenseless woman?

The phone rang, breaking the silence and interrupting her thoughts. Taking a sip of tea before walking into the living room, she scampered to answer the call.

"Hello?" She greeted the caller with a heavy heart.

"What's the matter?" Lindy asked.

"Remember Mrs. Everly?"

"Yes."

"She passed away."

Lindy sucked in her breath. "When?"

"A few days ago. They've already rented Mrs. Everly's apartment out to someone else."

"That is absurd!"

"It's all about the money."

"How did she die?" Lindy asked.

"Don't freak out," Jewel cautioned her.

She didn't respond. Jewel heard her shifting in her seat, preparing for the bad news.

"An intruder surprised her. She had a heart attack."

"The same intruder who was in your apartment?"

"How would I know?"

"You are not safe there," she said, her voice quivering.

"What if he returns?" She demanded.

"He's already ransacked the whole building. What is left for him to go through?"

"I don't like it! Not one bit," Lindy mumbled, concerned for her friend's wellbeing.

"Do you think he would return to our building after scaring a woman to death?"

"Haven't you ever watched Dumb Criminals? They do stupid things all the time."

The hairs on her arm stood on end, sending a shiver throughout her body.

Jewel's eyes darted around her apartment. Her chest tightened. "You're scaring me," she confessed.

"Good. Maybe, you'll come to your senses," Lindy said.

"Thanks for the comforting words," she said.

Ignoring her sarcasm, Lindy said, "Anytime."

Uneasy, Jewel prayed she didn't have an uninvited visitor during the night.