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Hi, Sally. You wanna order a pizza and watch TV tonight?

I'm sorry if you were busy. Do you want to sit together in algebra tomorrow?

Goodnight...

Violet couldn't have been more confused. Why was Sal acting this way? Had she done something wrong? Could something be going on at home that he wasn't telling her about? Did he not want to be her friend anymore?

She tossed her phone onto her bedside table and rolled onto her back, staring blankly at the ceiling. No matter how much she racked her memories for something, anything that she'd done that could've upset Sal, she found nothing. At lunch that day, he wasn't short with Larry, Todd, or Ash. But whenever Violet spoke, his responses were very minimal and uninterested.

The girl looked back over at her phone, contemplating picking it up and just calling him. She thought Sal was her friend. Surely he'd be willing to talk it out with her. Then again, he also ignored her texts. Why did she have a reason to believe he'd answer a phone call from him?

Maybe Sal wouldn't, but Larry would.

Riiinnggg...Ri—

"Yo," Larry's tired voice came through the phone.

"Hey, Larry," Violet said. "Is this a bad time? Were you trying to sleep?"

"Nah, I was just listening to music. What's up, little dude?"

She hesitated for a moment. "Um...is Sally mad at me?"

"Not that I know of. Is he being a dick to you or something? Need me to straighten him out?"

"No, no, that's not necessary. I dunno, I guess he's just acting weird toward me."

"He hasn't said anything about it to me," he informed her. "What's he been saying to you?"

"Hardly anything. That's the problem..."

Larry let out a long sigh. "You wanna come down for a bit? I can't sleep for shit and I doubt you can either."

"It's a school night, though."

"Don't care. See you in 5."

The call ended with a click. Larry was right about her not being able to sleep. With the whole Sal situation hanging over her head, she wouldn't even be able to relax. If she was going to be stressed out, she might as well do so in the company of a friend. Although, it'd be nice if that friend were Sal, who would hug her extra tight and make Gizmo chase a cat laser to entertain her.

The apartment was silent. Violet knew her father was in bed, but she wasn't so sure about her mother. She had a tendency to stay up rather late researching cult activity and whatnot. Fortunately, she was usually so consumed in her work that she was easy to sneak past. How else would Violet attend parties, sleepovers and the other late-night shenanigans her friends dragged her into?

The teen decided not to change into better clothes and merely slipped a robe over her pajamas. It was only Larry. Besides, it wasn't like he put any effort into his appearance either, even during the day.

In her bare feet, Violet crept out of her bedroom and into the living room. Her mother was hunched over a rather large book at the dinner table. A box of tissues sat beside her, along with several wadded up tissues leaning against it. She was still a bit under the weather.

By now, the young girl had learned exactly where to step in order to avoid creaky floorboards. The light from the kitchen just barely illuminated her path. She made slow strides across the carpet on her tip-toes, occasionally turning her head to make sure her mother hadn't noticed her. And just like that, Violet had slipped out the front door, silently closing it behind her.

The hard flooring of the hallways were cold against her feet, sending a chill up her spine. She pulled her robe around herself tightly. "Should've worn socks," she grumbled to herself.

Violet was sure that the elevator would arrive right away once she pressed the button. After all, it was nearly 10 PM. Most of the residents were asleep by now. Yet, she felt as though she waited for hours. The deafening silence of the building wasn't helpful to her case. Ever since her encounters with the Red-Eyed Demon, Violet had become fearful of the Addison Apartment's hallways. She preferred to spend as little time in them as possible, especially alone.

She cautiously looked over both of her shoulders, shuddering at the possibility of something lurking around in her peripheries. The fluorescent lights of the halls eliminated any change of there being shadows for someone to hide in. It made Violet feel exposed. If someone, or something were to come after her, she'd have nowhere to run. Unless, of course, she could book it back into apartment fast enough without letting the predator follow her inside.

Finally, the elevator doors opened with a dull ding! sound. Violet made no haste in hurrying inside and jabbing the "close door" button with her knuckle repeatedly. The doors took their time, but did eventually slide together.

She reached into her pocket, feeling for her keycard to the basement. Her heart sunk to the pit of her stomach. It wasn't there. But, her phone was.

Riinnggg— click!

"Hello?" Violet said into the phone. "Larry?"

Nothing.

"Crap! Stupid elevator!" She hissed, stuffing her phone back into her pocket. She stared at the elevator buttons, unsure of what to do. She couldn't risk going back home and getting caught. Her eyes lingered over the button that led to the 4th floor. Sal lived there and he had a keycard. But, Sal also didn't want anything to do with her right now, it seemed. It wasn't worth bothering him.

Her only other option was Todd, who lived on the 2nd floor. So, that was exactly where she headed.

Fortunately, Todd was the one who answered the door when she knocked. His flaming red curls were in a messy pile on top of his head and his glasses were crooked. She must have woken him up. "I wasn't expecting you, Violet. I don't offer tutoring this late," he told her in his usual monotone voice.

"I'm really sorry, Todd," she apologized. "I'm trying to get to Larry's but I don't have my keycard. I snuck out so I can't go back for it. You don't happen to have one, do you? I'll give it back."

"I do not, but I know Sal does."

"I-I can't go to Sal's. Do you mind if I come in and call Larry to come get me? I don't want to wait in the hallway by myself."

"Sure. Just keep it down. My parents are asleep." He stepped aside and opened the door further, allowing Violet to step into his living room. He flipped a lightswitch, causing the lights on the ceiling to illuminate the room.

"Thank you so much, Todd," Violet said, pulling out her phone and dialing Larry's number.

"No problem. Turn off the lights on your way out," he replied. With that, he turned around and headed into his bedroom.

Riinnnggg—

"Where are you, little dude?" Came Larry's voice.

"I'm at Todd's. Can you come get me?"

"Todd's? Why?"

"I forgot my keycard and didn't know what to do. Can you please come?"

"Be right there."