Then She Was Gone

Ellie goes inside Noelle’s house to get the study paper she promised, and she accepts a glass of elderflower juice, which contains a drug. Ellie goes unconscious and wakes up 12 hours later in Noelle’s basement. Still unable to move, she tells Noelle her mom will be worried about her, and she wants to go home. Noelle leaves Ellie in the basement, securing three locks on her way out. 

In the morning, Ellie pulls a chair up to the only window in the basement and realizes that her situation is dire. No one will be able to see her down in the basement. When Noelle enters the room, Ellie tries to hit her with the chair and overpower her, but Noelle is stronger than she looks and zip-ties Ellie’s ankles together. Noelle promises to bring Ellie treats if she behaves, and Ellie gets the impression Noelle does not intend to keep her there forever. 

Noelle leaves on an errand to buy tampons and deodorant for Ellie, and while she’s gone, Ellie pounds on the tiny window and the basement walls until her hands are bruised. When Noelle returns, she has two pet hamsters for Ellie. Ellie is confused because she told Noelle during one of their tutoring sessions that she never wanted hamsters, yet Noelle thinks she did.