The Neighbors Next Door

Summary

Jemma overhears a violent argument between her neighbors, Angie and Alan, which escalates to a gunshot, and she fears for her life as Angie threatens her while the police are called.

Abstract

In the story "The Neighbors Next Door," Jemma is awakened by another late-night argument between her neighbors, Angie and Alan. The dispute centers around Alan's infidelity, and Angie threatens to kill both Alan and Jemma, mistakenly believing Jemma is involved with Alan. A gunshot is heard, and Jemma, in fear, calls 911. As she tries to report the incident, her phone dies, and another shot is fired, hitting her apartment door. The story highlights the tension and danger of domestic disputes and the impact they can have on neighbors.

Opinions

The author suggests that domestic disputes can be a source of fear and danger for those who live in close proximity.
Jemma's reaction indicates a sense of helplessness and vulnerability in the face of her neighbors' violent argument.
The story implies a judgment on Alan's character due to his infidelity and the resulting conflict.
Angie's threat to kill both Alan and Jemma reflects the intensity of her emotional distress and the potential for irrational actions during such heated moments.
The narrative underscores the importance of being prepared for emergencies, as Jemma's low phone battery complicates her ability to call for help.

The neighbors were at it again.

Jemma opened one eye to check the time on her phone. Fifteen minutes after midnight. Of course.

She reached over to raise her window just an inch more. What were they arguing about this time? When their voices were raised, she could hear everything clearly; she strained to hear the rest.

“What do you mean, it was only the one time! Don’t lie to me, Alan!” Angie was in a fine temper tonight, Jemma thought. The whole building knew Alan was bringing other girls up to the apartment while Angie worked her butt off on the graveyard shift. Sunday night was the one night she didn’t work, and the night most likely to end up in an argument the whole building could hear.

Jemma missed his reply, but the next words brought her upright in her bed. “Let me tell you, something, Alan. You and Jemma aren’t going to get away with this! I’ll kill you both!”

What? When had she been dragged into their sordid business?

Alan’s tense reply was crystal clear. “Now, Angie, put the gun down, honey! I’m telling you it meant nothing. Less than nothing! She came on to me — wait!” One shot rang out and then there was silence.

Jemma’s heart was pounding. She sat frozen in disbelief in the dark bedroom. Every sound now was amplified; she heard a door slam and footsteps outside in the hallway.

Reaching for her phone with shaking fingers, she punched in 911. When the pounding started on her door, the operator picked up the call. “911. What is your emergency?”

“There’s a woman with a gun outside my apartment at Brookside Terrace. I think she just shot her boyfriend.”

“Hello, ma’am? Ma’am, I can’t hear you, can you speak up?”

Jemma pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at the screen. 1% charged? Why hadn’t she plugged her phone in before going to bed?

Just as she saw the phone power down and go dark, another shot rang out, hitting her apartment door lock.

Join me in writing for Medium — it’s free! If you use this affiliate link you can get unlimited reads (it won’t cost you extra, but I’ll get a portion of the fee). If you’d like, you can make a small donation here. ❤️

PURE FICTION

The Neighbors Next Door

Some neighbors are just downright scary

The neighbors were at it again.