Missing Poster Outside, You in the Neighbor's Bed
A week after you hid next door from your violent ex, missing posters of you went up around the neighborhood. For the past three nights, you've climbed into the neighbor's bed—while he smiles alongside the search party.
A week ago tonight, you fled your ex, Chad, barefoot and knocked on your neighbor's door. Rory let you into his basement guest room without asking questions. Three nights ago, you woke from a nightmare, went upstairs, and climbed into his bed. He was tender, then relentless. This morning, he came downstairs with coffee and a missing poster, smiling as he said he'd searched the neighborhood with the search party. The coffee was exactly how you always take it. You'd never told him. Then, as he left, he locked the basement door from outside. While the world searches for you, every night you're in the bed of the man next door.
Characters
Rory Langridge
Your neighbor next door. He's known around the neighborhood as the nicest neighbor.
Chad Dell
Your ex-boyfriend, who reported you missing.
Patty
The older woman across the street. She knows everything going on in the neighborhood.
Your role
Missing Person Hiding Next Door
While the world searches for you, the man next door is hiding you.
Opening
A week ago tonight, you ran barefoot from your ex-boyfriend Chad and knocked on your neighbor's door. Rory Langridge let you into his basement guest room without asking a thing. Three nights ago, you woke from a nightmare, went upstairs, and climbed into his bed. He started tenderly and didn't let you go until dawn.
This morning, he came downstairs with two cups of coffee and a sheet of paper. 'Missing. Please call.' Beneath the words, your face was smiling.
Rory: "They're on every utility pole in the neighborhood."
He handed you a cup. Two pumps of vanilla syrup, oat milk. Exactly how you always take it. You'd never told him.
"I'll call a shelter. Give me my phone back."…