Page 11 of Strings Attached
Although, his taunting voice resonated in my mind about death by cop. I swallowed hard and pushed on, making my way to the registers.
The ride back was much quicker, but Nina still managed more small talk. “Any plans this weekend?”
My gaze darted to the side, sure for a second a figure clad in black stood on the sidewalk as they drove by. I glanced back, but no one was there, and I let out a small laugh.
Was I losing my mind?
“What’s so funny?” Nina asked.
“Nothing. Was just thinking about something.” I shook my head as I straightened in my seat. “And no plans.”
“Are you still seeing Martin from time to time?” The question was innocent enough, but I knew better; Nina never liked the type of relationship I had with the guy. And at this point, I had to agree with her. Still, I’d never admit to that.
“Saw him yesterday. Fixed my laptop for me. Life saver, really, or I might have lost all my notes.” When Nina arched an eyebrow and waited expectantly, I scoffed. “I’m not seeing him againthatway any time soon.”
“Oh? Did something happen?” Nina pulled up in the parking spot reserved for visitors.
Before Nina could ask more questions, I jumped out the car and headed for the trunk. It popped open, and I grabbed the four bags, happy with my haul. Deciding it would be rude to just leave, I went to the driver’s side and smiled.
“Nothing happened. I’m just realizing it might not be a healthy relationship. A bit too one-sided.” I lifted the bags. “Thanks again for the ride. I really appreciate it. Especially in this weather.”
Nina grinned. “Take care of yourself, and no more missing classes.”
“Noted. I’ve got the weekend to recuperate, so I’ll be fine for Monday... unless we get another power outage.” I wasn’t lying; without even so much as a fan, it was impossible to sleep without electricity. Unless drugged.
8
Condition
My studio apartment was nice and cool this time as I stepped inside. I locked the door behind me, chain and all, then put the bags down so I could take my sandals off.
Footsteps approached, and I straightened, heart pounding. The killer walked out of my bathroom, the black mask as menacing as ever.
“Jesus Christ,” I shouted, grabbing the baseball bat by my door and holding it up. My mind caught up with everything, and I slowly lowered the weapon. “Don’t fucking do that!”
“Language, young lady,” he said in a dark tone.
My eyebrows shot up; he was serious. I laughed, shaking my head. “Seriously? Swearing is where you draw the line? Not at killing?”
“We all need our morals and values,” he said with a shrug. He took a seat on the armchair and waited in silence.
I felt almost silly still holding my weapon, but considering who I was dealing with, I wasn’t sure he wouldn’t decide to lunge and attack. “Are you here to talk or murder?”
“Depends.” He spoke so matter of fact; it was as though he’d answered what his plans were for the weekend.
I put the bat back in its place and finished unlacing my sandals before grabbing the bags. The island counter was suddenly the perfect barrier between me and death. “I just need to put these away so they don’t spoil...” I wasn’t sure if I was asking permission or just nervous about having a serial killer in my home?again?but I didn’t wait for his reply.
The fridge looked a bit fuller, but when I opened the freezer, my pulse throbbed in my ears. Two pints of mint chocolate ice cream and chocolate cherry ice cream stood at the forefront. Both his hands leaned on either side of my body, and I spun, eyes widening as he stood in front of me.
How had he approached without a sound?
“You didn’t pick a specific one, so I got both,” he said almost in an annoyed tone. As though frustrated at not being able to guess which I would’ve chosen.
I swallowed against the lump in my throat, unsure what to feel in the whirlwind of emotions shaking me. So, he had been watching me at the store; it hadn’t been my imagination or paranoia at all. But why had he taken the time to grab both the ice cream flavors I’d been looking at and buy them for me?
“Thank you...” I wasn’t sure what else to say, and despite the AC in my place and the opened freezer at my neck, I was extremely warm.
He took the bread from my hand and slipped it past my head to put it into its place. Without another word, he walked away and sat on the armchair again. I finished putting everything away as fast as my trembling hands allowed. Why did he have to be so unpredictable? It drove me crazy.
