ELIOTT. THE NAME felt sour on her tongue as if it was some foul word. Eliott. Lottie snickered dryly, making fists as she waited in silence for a noise, movement - anything. 

It had to be eight am by now, she decided, which meant work started an hour ago. A mumbled excuse to her boss later and here she was, sitting on her couch, eyeing the front door. 

Lottie shivered, willing her heavy eyes open. Last night, she had slept for an hour at most because she had to be ready. If that stupid excuse of a sibling were to come back, she'd be there to ripe him for answers; ripe him dry. 

But why? Why had he come back to her after all these years? Was it not clear enough that she could barely look at him anymore? 

She scoffed, wiping at her eyes. I guess not. Then, with a sigh, she stood and wandered to the back windows and carefully looked them over. No new marks had been left, so she nodded, running a hand down her face. This was going to be a long day. 

Lottie buzzed back to the living room, collected her cup, then returned to the kitchen. She had finished her second cup of caffeinated coffee an hour ago; it was time for another. "All because of that note," she mumbled. "Well, all because of my brother."

As she made her way back, she blew at her freshly brewed coffee. Then she lowered to her couch, giving a glare to the door. How long would she do this? Until he comes back, Lottie decided. Until I get my answers. 

After yet another hour, she laid sprawled on the couch, her empty cup on the floor beside her. She couldn't keep this up, she realized, and sighed. Slowly, she managed upright, gathered her cup, and began for her bedroom. 

Just before entering her room, she stopped at the mirror to her left and turned. "One day... it will be gone." Then she nodded to herself, feeling the side of her face. "One day you'll be normal, just like everyone else."

-

There was a knock, and then another. 

At this, Lottie snapped awake, already rolling out of bed. As she hurried down the brief hallway, her heart pounded with anticipation. "The moment I see you," she snarled, "you'll be running for Auntie." Then she swung the door open and paled. 

"Charlotte?" The name was croaked, Penny taken aback. "What's the matter?"

Lottie forced an exhale, hand to her chest. "Penny, what are you doing here? You know I'm always at work by now!"

"Exactly," the woman said, playing with her bracelet, "so why are you here?"

"I-"

"Your car's still here." Penny searched her eyes, narrowing her own. 

Lottie fixed her with a scowl. "Why did you even bother to check? My car's a little ways away, so you can't see it from here... You would have had to walk the path, so why?" Then she crossed her arms, shifting. "Why did you even bother?"

"As I said before," Penny said matter-of-factly, "I've never lost a neighbor and I'm not about to lose one now. Considering we've got a stalker, I see no reason why I shouldn't keep a tab on you." And with that, she waved her off, already nearing the tall-standing bushes. 

"Wait!" Lottie said, surprising even herself. 

The woman came to a halt, turning around with a huff. "Do you know how much it takes out of me to check in on you so much? I've been up half the night again, barely any sleep. Then, after a night of watching your hous-"

"-I'm sorry."

Penny studied her neighbor, then nodded stiffly. "It's... fine."

"Just come in and visit." Lottie moved aside, gesturing her into her home. "I can make you some coffee or something." 

The woman shook her head but complied. "You know, you've had enough coffee already. I'd bet you had less sleep than I." After stepping in, she slowly turned and locked eyes with her. "Will you tell me why today is so different than yesterday?"

"Something happened," Lottie admitted, fiddling with her fingers, "but... it's-"

"-not nothing." Then Penny cocked her head, eyes wide. "I'm not sure how much longer I can hold it in, Charlotte, so talk to me."

"I've known you for three years, I know, but I can't tell you." Her tone a little too sharp, she lowered her voice with an apology. Then, mustering a smile, she made her way into the kitchen to brew up the coffee. 

"Get back here and let's have a real conversation," Penny affirmed, already sitting on the chair, which was adjacent to the couch. "Come on."

Lottie resisted a groan as she retreated to the living room. "As nice as you... seem to be, this doesn't concern you. I'm sure I'll be fine by tomorrow." Then she managed a laugh, but it never reached her eyes. "So, if you are not up for my signature beverage, the door's just behind you."

It was her turn to force a laugh, but she stopped all too quickly and fiddled with her leathered bracelet. "Charlotte, I'm about to tell you something I've never told anyone." Suddenly, she looked down at it, looking miserable. 

Lottie stared down at her, contemplating, then rolled her eyes. "Look, I've been through some stuff too, but there's no reason to dwell on it."

Penny met her face after a long moment, her own crumbled. "You know, you're not the sweetheart I once knew. Over the years you've grown hard, from your sorrow, no doubt." But then she put a finger to her lips. "Actually, no, that's not it: it's your shame. Whenever you go, that scar will always be there; it's a part of you. Whenever you look in that mirror, that memory stays. The memory of all those years ago."

Lottie's eyes grew cold and she pointed to the door. "Please, leave."

At this, the old woman stood with pity in her eyes. Then she set a hand over her shoulder, searching her face. "You know, you remind me of my daughter. My beautiful, beautiful daughter."  After a hard moment, she nodded stiffly, turning to leave. "We'll see each other in good time."

"What's... what's that supposed to mean?" Her tone was a little too sharp, so she tried again. "What do you mean by that?"

Penny only looked back and mustered a smile. "Goodnight, Charlotte."

"Wait! Just..." she trailed, stumbling for words.

"Yes?"

"You mentioned a daughter, but I don't recall you ever having one."

Penny gave a small laugh, fiddling again with her bracelet. "Sweetie, there's much you don't know about me."

Lottie quietly sighed, already regretting her next words. "Well, I'll listen this time, I promise. Does that sound good?"

Penny narrowed her eyes. "Charlotte, I used to have a daughter named Silvia." A warm smile came to her face as she came forward, stopping before her. "She was the brightest of people, truly; the light of my life! She was a natural beauty, but the most precious thing was her innocence."

"Unfortunately, we all lose it with time." But then she paused, reconsidering her words. "Silvia sounds lovely."

"Indeed."

"But, I've a question, Penny." Lottie was now frowning, studying her face. "Why is this in past tense?"

All joy was gone; looking down, Penny didn't bother another smile. "I was... cooking dinner, as I often did, but my mind was on work. The first time my daughter came, she asked me to look under her bed, insisting there was somebody under there. She was four at the time. Me being me, I dismissed it."

Lottie shifted, folding her arms. "There was, wasn't there?"

"Please, let me finish." Her tone was grave, eyes on her feet. "The second time was a few minutes later. She came running to me, this time begging me to come. I wouldn't, and that's the last time. There... was nothing else from her." Then she wiped at her face. "Nothing at all."

"I'm sorry, Penny," Lottie said, holding in her own tears. She closed the space between them and gave a genuine hug. "I'm really sorry for your loss."

"That's why I am so cautious about our stalker." With that, her neighbor placed the bracelet into Lottie's hands and stepped back. "Will you keep this? Please?"

Despite herself, Lottie gave a firm nod. "I will, I promise."

"Good. It was my daughter's."

-

"Here." Lottie slowly held the slip of paper up. "It says: why'd you leave us, El?"

Penny's face suddenly paled as she took the note. "It's your brother, Charlotte." Then she snapped her a look. "How did he find you? And why now, of all times?"

"I'm not sure, but I don't care." Her lips drew into a line. "The next time he comes, he'll regret ever stepping foot on my property. I'll be sure of it. This is something that can never be."

"I'm surprised you still have this evidence but good on you. It's proof."

Lottie eyed her back, mustering for words. "I just couldn't shred it, but I do know this: When I finally see him face to face, I'll be sure to rip it to pieces in front of him."

-

The phone rang again. 

Lottie scowled but didn't move from the couch. She knew who it was: it was the same person from all the times before, Joseph. Yesterday he had ignored her calls, so she now had the right to ignore his. 

Besides, if it was urgent enough, he could just walk the ten minutes to her place; it wouldn't be that inconvenient. "Or," she said dryly, "you could drive. Even quicker!"

It had to be twelve pm by now, she realized, so their Culver's shift had ended an hour ago. If Joseph really wanted to, he could be at her place anytime, so it must not be too important. Perhaps he even forgot about yesterday's phone call.

As soon as she was reassured, however, somebody rapped on her door. 

Lottie slowly managed near, paused, then swung it open and gasped. 

"Lottie..." Joseph trailed off, searching her face, "what's wrong?"

The woman suddenly made fists, barely holding them back. "Oh," she mocked, "do I look a little pale? Maybe that's because you just banged on my door!"

Realization came over him, and he looked down, kicking stray pebbles. "I'm sorry, Lottie."

There were times when he resembled a hurt puppy and this was one of them. Her face softened, and she too looked at her feet. "Sorry, but... why are you here?"

"You didn't come to work today." When she met his gaze, he shifted. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine, so you can leave. I didn't go to work because I needed time to think."

Joseph pondered, leaving her face. "Well, I wouldn't have come if I didn't remember what happened yesterday. Remember that one guy who kept staring at you? He looked similar to the one who showed up at my place, but I wasn't close enough to tell. Why didn't you answer your phone? I called you five times!"

Lottie slowly crossed her arms, studying him. "That's it. It's him."

"It's who?"

"Eliott!"

Thank you to anyone who has made it this far. I hope you're enjoying it, but if you've got any questions or complaints, I'd love to know. 

Anyhow, I thought it would be cool to ask some general questions. If you'd like to skip this, however, go ahead. :)

1) What are some of your biggest fears?

2) What are your hobbies?

3) Lastly, what is your favorite movie?

Well, I hope you're doing well and God bless <3