Tim was taken away in an ambulance and I was putting a meal together before I went back to the station to drown in paperwork after a break-in. I pulled my pizza out of the stove and set it on the island. Instead of grabbing a cutter I simply pulled it apart and shoved it into my mouth bit by bit. My hands were covered in blood and my headache was persistent but I didn't care.
The front door opened and Vernon strode inside, "What happened?" He looked at the wall, "Fucking..."
"We had a break-in."
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
He came forward to lean against the island. When I realized he was staring at my forehead I put down the pizza.
"Someone ran in to save me. He kissed my forehead."
"I know by 'someone' you mean the P-O-I."
I leaned against the marble counter, my elbows uncomfortable. I was too tired for this.
This wasn't new for him. Any male friend sparked jealousy in him. In the past I'd given him my understanding but I didn't have the mental clarity to give anyone anything lately.
"He kissed my forehead. Nothing else happened. Sometimes people can get an attachment to us. It doesn't happen as much as it does with therapists and social workers but it does happen."
"Does he know you're married?"
"I don't even wear my ring at the station. It's too..." I couldn't think of the word. Every other married detective wore their ring.
"Right. Your paranoia."
"Don't dismiss that. You know why I'm scared."
"Are you attracted to him?"
I sighed, my shoulders falling and my head bowing, "Even if I was single I wouldn't pursue a witness."
"You didn't answer my question."
"Yes. He's a beautiful man."
I could see the hurt in his eyes but I couldn't bring myself to care. I wanted to. I did. Suddenly I heard the doorbell ring and he walked away to answer it. I silently thanked whoever it was and returned to my pizza. The creamy cheese let me forget the stress of the day just enough for me to smile.
"My name is Atrox. May I speak to Maxine?"
I licked my fingers and walked around the island. When I came into view Atrox didn't bother to hide his grin and Vernon turned to shoot me a hideous glare.
"I'll speak to your husband while you have a shower if you would prefer."
If he thought I was leaving him alone with my husband he was insane.
"No."
He gave me one of those 'oh you' smiles and my forehead wrinkled in confusion. When I saw him begin to concentrate I averted my gaze but it was too late. Suddenly I was excusing myself to shower and grabbing a change of clothes. I walked down the hall and into the bathroom. It was still horrendous but nevertheless I hung up my clothes, turned the shower on, and undressed.
I was a little short but I was very well built. I had a six pack that I was proud of. My breasts were just big enough to rest perfectly in my cupped palms. I had a thin waist that made my hips seem bigger than there truly were. My thighs were incredibly thick, as was my butt. I had long black hair that tumbled down my back to my tailbone. I was very tan with soft skin. I had a diamond shaped face with cute pink lips, a thin nose, and arched brows. I had big, downturned amber eyes with long and thick lashes.
The water that poured from my body was a mucky shade of brown and burgundy. The hot water allowed my chest to open up and my mind to soothe. When I finished I dried myself off and pulled on the black dress I'd been compelled to take. I walked back to the living room where Atrox was sitting in the armchair with his ankle resting on his knee. Vernon was sitting on the couch but I didn't pay attention to him. I focused my glower on Atrox who only smiled at me like we were engaging in an inside joke.
I sat down beside Vernon. Atrox looked into my husband's eyes and Vernon immediately excused himself to clean the bathroom.
Atrox looked much different from the last time I'd seen him. His face wasn't nearly as gaunt, his hair was soft and glistening, and he wore a nice yet casual suit.
"We should have a drive."
"I ran your name through the system. You don't exist. How do you have a car?"
"I hope that is not your most pressing question."
"I'm a detective."
"So I have heard," He stood, walked to me, and held out his gloved hand. When I let him help me to my feet he said, "Thank you."
I followed Atrox to the car and sat beside him. He pulled onto the road and we started down the street. The city in the dead of night was beautiful. Lights glittered like stars that peaked out from behind the silhouette of the buildings.
"You look breathtaking."
"I'm married."
"I forgive you."
My dagger was still around my neck. If he decided to act on his blossoming obsession I'd kill him.
"How do you do that? Make people do what you want?"
He took a right and pulled into a drive-through. In a better mood I would have laughed at the fact that he wore a suit and put me in a dress to take me to a greasy burger place.
Atrox ordered for the both of us. I should have figured he'd know exactly what I would want. When we received our food he turned back onto the road.
"We will talk atop the cliff."
I saved my food for then but I still took out our drinks and stuck them into the cupholders. Then I laid back into the chair. As we climbed the mountain I became more and more mesmerized by the glittering lights below. He stopped at the edge of the cliff and we exited the vehicle with our food. We sat at the edge of the cliff. I unwrapped my burger and sunk my teeth into the juicy treat. My mouth flooded with ketchup and mayo.
"I hope you are not feeling trepidation for me," He thought aloud in a tone barely audible.
"How would you feel in my shoes?"
"Overwhelmed, frustrated."
"Exactly."
I shoved more of the burger into my mouth. After I finished it off he handed me his.
"Take it," He urged with a smile.
"You're not hungry?"
"You already know that I am unhuman."
I took the burger and unwrapped it. Before I took a bite I asked, "What are you?"
"I think you already know."
"I have to hear it."
He leaned back, propping himself up by his arms, his hands sinking into the grass as he watched the placid lake.
"All I want is your safety. There is so little you can know," He turned his head to me and I could see the pain palpable in his beautiful eyes, "She is dead. I am doing what I can to protect you. I need to ask of you to stay away from cases like this one. I will continue to protect you while remaining unseen, unheard."
"Do you think I would agree to that?"
His eyes shut. His head tilted downward so slightly. I felt my heart constrict at the sight of his vulnerability.
"Are you manipulating my emotions?"
"No. I have controlled your body but not your mind."
I finished off my burger and sipped my cherry cola, "Were you following me?"
"Not in the conventional sense. I can read your thoughts."
"Only mine?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"That is not relevant."
I rolled my eyes, grabbed my drink, and stood. I began to storm away but Atrox hooked his fingers around my arm. I turned to glower at him.
"Please. All I want is to protect you."
"Why? Why even bring me out here? Why save me? Why taunt me with answers when you know you won't give me a single thing? Do you like to see me tortured?"
"No," He swore, stepping into my personal space and making me aware of the electricity surging between us, "I am a frail, petrified man in your presence. I had spent so long trying to find you since I first heard your thoughts. All these years I have stayed just close enough and just far enough. Everything I have done was for your safety. When it comes to fighting my kind, however, I beg of you to stop. That is why I wanted to speak to you. I know you. I know of your dedication, your passion, your tenacity, Your beautiful heart. I have to warn you. There are more. I would perish with you," He cupped my face in his hands and stared deeply into my eyes. I felt a warmth spread over my body, "You have faced so much hardship. Please, I beg, walk away from this."
"How do you know so much about me?"
"I have heard your thoughts my entire life. I have loved you my entire life."
"You're insane."
"Then why am I so familiar to you? Why do you dream of me?"
I stepped back and he dropped his hands. I could feel his touch still, my skin reluctant to release it. I crossed my arms. I stormed back into the car and he followed. Instead of turning the car on he sat in silence, his gaze brushing over me, waiting for something he could say.
I wished I could understand what drew him to me, how he knew me, what he was, but thinking of all those mysteries birthed so many more questions. My ignorance to him I could live with, but to his kind? No.
"Keeping me in the dark won't protect me."
"No, but illuminating that darkness will have them find you."