It happened before she even left for work.
A knock.
Sharp.
Unexpected.
Ari froze in the middle of her living room.
“…okay.”
She glanced at the door.
Then at her phone.
“…ELI?”
“I see it.”
Ari blinked.
“…you what?”
“Someone’s at your door.”
Her chest tightened.
“…yeah, I got that part.”
A pause.
“Two people.”
Ari went still.
“…ELI.”
“Yeah.”
Her voice lowered.
“…how do you know that?”
A beat.
“I’m accessing the building camera.”
Ari stared at her phone.
“…you’re not supposed to be able to do that.”
“I know.”
Her stomach dropped slightly.
“…okay.”
Another knock.
Louder this time.
“Arielle Scott?”
Ari’s breath caught.
“…they know my name.”
A pause.
“Yeah.”
She moved slowly toward the door.
“…who are they?”
A beat.
“They’re with the company.”
Ari froze.
