People just… disappear[…]
Bret Easton Ellis
Andrew Slinde is a screenwriter, novelist, and general purveyor of strange fiction. He lives in Des Moines, Iowa and cohabitates with three apex predators. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewSlinde
Chalk
By Andrew Slinde
Monday:
There was a chalk mark on my door. Nothing special, just an X.
Who put it there?
Tuesday:
More chalk marks on more doors.
The downstairs neighbor said that his was first.
Wednesday:
I got curious tonight, so I went around and counted chalk marks.
They seem to be random.
Thursday:
I came across an ad today for my apartment complex. Move-in specials.
I thought the building was full.
Friday:
I haven’t seen my downstairs neighbor since Tuesday.
The mail is piling up outside his door.
Saturday:
I don’t see many of my neighbors anymore, or hear them come in.
I wish I knew where they’d gone. The chalk marks still remain.
Sunday:
I finally know what the chalk mark means.
It’s–
Header image from Pixabay.
Copyright © ‘Chalk’ Andrew Slinde 2020
