I bursted out the door and kept pressing the button to go down.

My phone started to buzz but it would be a hell for me if he was dead.

I didn't have the time or the patience to answer.

The ding from the elevator was relieving.

I walked inside and pressed the lobby floor like it was my last hope.

Wait.

I pulled out my phone and called them.

The Voice, maybe they know his number.

"Name?"

"Karma, do you have Notwer's number?" I loosened my tie.

"Hold on," she started to type.

A text came in.

"Is that all?" she asked as I looked at the text.

I hung up and called the number on the text.

"Hello?" he answered.

"You little-where are you?" I tried to calm myself.

Pacing back and forth, continuously glancing at the floor numbers.

The elevator door opened and I ran out.

"Oh, hi Ms. Rain. I'm outside," he said without a care in the world.

"Where?!" I unlocked my car and opened the door.

"At the grocery store right next to the building, there wasn't any food in the fridge so I went out and bought food," he answered.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"I'm coming," I put the car on reverse.

Twelve minutes wasn't as relieving as it sounds.

It only takes two to get tied up with trouble.

What was he thinking?

I pulled in to the parking lot and parked, rushing inside to see him standing at the self checkout.

"Why are you here?" he asked with three bags full of food and essentials.

"I should be the one to ask you that," I grabbed his arm.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?" I hissed as I dragged him to the car.

"You were concerned about me?" his eyes started to light up.

I let go of his arm and looked at his chocolate coloured eyes.

"I was worried about my pay check, it may seem like this place isn't making any money but I still have to pay for my place, my food, my gas, and my clothes. At the end of the month 30,000 leaves me with 16,670," I explained in the most thorough way I could think of. "If I move, I won't be able to sleep at night, and they'll make me work till midnight."

He stared at me concerned, as if he pitied me.

A look that I had never seen, like I was weak.

Was that how I looked to him?

Was that how I was?

"Excuse me, dears would you mind sparing me some change?" an old lady asked out of no where.

She had green eyes and wore the stereotypical granny clothes with streaks of white in her grey hair.

Her voice was sweet, like the voice of someone you had known for a long time.

I reached for my pocket, when I realized something.

"Ah, I'm sorry we don't have any," I looked at Notwer as he reached for his.

My eyes clearly telling him not to do it.

"I do," the fool said as he brought his change out.

I grabbed his hand with the change on it and glared at her with almost a mocking grin.

"I'm sorry, but I need that."

Frozen in the situation I dragged him out while I had the chance.

"What are you doing?" he looked back at the old woman.

"If you touch her hand you'll become her puppet. Just get in the freakin' car!" I yelled as I opened the door and went inside.

"What?!" he put the bags in the back of the car and rushed inside.

"What do you mean, I'll become her puppet??" he asked as I looked back while reversing the car.

"She's a manipulative demon, once you start listening to her you'll never stop," I started driving back home.

"How did you know that?" he kept trying to look back at her.

"I never give money, are you kidding me?" I looked at him cringing, thinking about why I didn't think of that earlier.

He scoffed, like he was expecting something when he was the one who almost asked for death.

Little did he know where we were going next.