The Neighbor Two Doors Down

THE NEIGHBOR TWO DOORS DOWN H.K. CHRISTIE This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Copyright © 2023 by H.K. Christie Cover design by Odile Stammane All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. If you would like to use material from this book, prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at: www.authorhkchristie.com First edition: February 2023 CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Join H.K. Christie’s Reader Club Thank you! About the Author Acknowledgments ONE Fifteen years ago, I looked like the all-American teen. In my junior year of high school, I had straight As. I was on the cheer squad and played lacrosse. In my free time, if you could call it that, I was captain of the debate team and took part in mock trials. That same year, I took SAT prep classes and studied diligently with a tutor to get the highest possible score on the test. Armed with top grades, numerous extracurriculars, and my dedication to community service — you can’t forget the forced selflessness of community service — I visited the top colleges in the United States, knowing I could take my pick. And I hadn’t minded all the effort because I enjoyed staying busy and helping others. And I even liked being around my friends and my family. Yes, I was one of those magical teens who actually enjoyed hanging out with my mom, dad, and especially my little sister. She wasn’t like a typical annoying younger sister who stole clothes and tried to be everywhere I was. Not that she didn’t steal my clothes. She did. I just didn’t care, despite the arguments that typically ensued. She was three years younger, and we were best friends. A lot of my friends had siblings around the same age and thought they were a nuisance and never let them tag along. That wasn’t how it was with Ella and me. Our parents were happily married, and we lived in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. Mom and Dad told us to spread our wings and follow our passions. Rare. That’s what we were. And no, I wasn’t one of those spoiled teens who did not know how lucky I was. I had volunteered at homeless shelters and handed food out to the unhoused. The universe showed us in vivid color how fortunate we were. Even after it all fell apart. In my world, there is a before and an after. In the after, I tried to stay the same as before. Which we all know is impossible. But that didn’t mean I didn’t try. I was seventeen and already adept at wearing the right outfit, saying the right things, and acting the right way. Some might say I had prepared for the role my whole life. At first, they were worried about me. It was obvious in the pity-filled stares from friends, family, and teachers. Maybe they saw the light within me had dimmed, or maybe they were doing what they thought was the right thing. The flowers. The cards. The, “Oh dear, how are you holding up?” question. I had responded with a polite, “It’s hard, but we’re not giving up.” When really, I wanted to scream, “How the hell do you think I’m doing? I’m shattered!” But that wouldn’t be the right thing to say to well-meaning folks. Within a week, I was back to life like it was before, except now a darkness filled my entire being. But instead of showing it to others, I filled every minute of every day with a distraction. Studying. Sports. Extracurriculars. After I returned to my normal activities and received a near perfect score on my SATs, they stopped being concerned and assumed I was a strong young woman who had handled things so bravely. Or maybe they saw what they wanted to see. Who had time to worry about little old me when there were so many other things to worry about in the world? After completing my junior year through gritted teeth and silent tears, I sailed right into my senior year, not even taking a break over the summer but choosing to enroll in classes at the local community college. With calculus out of the way senior year, I took on a part-time job while still volunteering at the homeless shelter. I didn’t let my days go blank. That way, my mind couldn’t wander to think about before or the dreaded after. They applauded me for my bravery, my strength, and my resolve to continue to do well in school and to be there for everybody who needed me. When I was accepted into the best colleges in the United States, I was officially what everybody, including myself, wanted me to be. Following a clear path to excellence was easier than facing the truth that I was nothing without my accomplishments. A shell of a person. I decided on Caltech since it was pretty close to home, and they had a great computer science department. If I hadn’t been impressive before, I certainly was when I became one of the few females in