The faint smell of fish always lingered at the Dockside House. It was the smell of comfort. Emily often wished she lived here instead of so far away from the water. The river was fine, but the docks reminded her more of home.
The doors to the boarding houses were never locked--not that she ever found--so when she knocked, she didn’t expect anyone to answer. So, when no one did, there was nothing unusual about it. Emily opened it, crept in. When she closed the door, she stood against it and took in a deep breath.
I can’t believe I’m doing this. Her heart pounded. This was the first time Emily had visited Jack in his home. But after a few minutes ago, she was desperate. And what had she just told herself about being desperate? Bold measures, Emily. Boldest is safest, most efficient. She tip-toed toward his room. It wouldn’t be hard to miss. He’d adorned it with a bright yellow H.
She stood in front of it, her hand ready to knock on the mostly closed door. It was ever so slightly cracked--a consequence of the door being old and unable to close all the way. There was some rustling noise.
Emily frowned and quietly knocked. “Jack?” she called out quietly.
She definitely heard a chair move. More tiny noises.
She rapped on the door with the back of her hand, a little more forcibly this time. “Jack, I’m serious. Please, don’t make light of this.”
But there was no answer.
She bit her bottom lip. What a fantastic mistake--believing she could come to Jack of all people for help. His business the last few weeks had grown such that he seemed happier, more at home with the role of someone who could control everything.
“Jack, I need money. Lots of it,” her voice wavered, cracking a bit. “And I don’t expect you to understand but I did something... something that I’m not proud of.” And then soft tears began softly rolling down her cheeks when he still didn’t answer. Emily became angry. “But of course this is what you want, isn’t it? You want people at your door, begging you for help so that you can have all the power.”
She stopped knocking and instead sat on the floor, facing away from the door. She thought she heard a chair move. Emily focused more on wiping away what tears had spilt.
“But what would you know about sacrifice?” Emily half-spit, half-whispered. “What have you lost but a stupid business and people to boss around?” She clenched her left hand.
And then she heard the door creak open.
@hyperion-heroism
