by A. J. Lewis
“Remember my club that I mentioned? Well we all have the same uhh problem you know. We take care of one another. Well, they helped me get rid of Charles. He was sort of low man on the totem pole and wasn’t happy about it. I’d taken him under my wing by giving him a job and this is how he repaid me. He’s gone now Lacey. You can attempt to call the authorities and there could be an investigation if they take you seriously, but they’ll find nothing.”
Even in my frightened state, I knew that the description of what happened would sound insane to anyone who hadn’t witnessed it themselves. I was still frightened though. If he could dispense of the old man so easily, and I was a witness, what would happen to me?
“What do you want with me?” I accusingly shouted at him, while staying put in my corner.
He sighed and rubbed at his forehead with his free hand, “I don’t want anything from you really, just an understanding of what happened. Look, you saw what I am. The only person who doesn’t have the same problem. You know what I am, and really, I hired you because I was lonely. I didn’t know this would happen.”
I felt bad then. Even though he was just about the scariest thing I’d ever witnessed, it was still sad to see someone open up and admit that they were alone in the world. Again if this series of events hadn’t happened I should feel lucky. A good looking, successful, wealthy man was admitting he’d purposely wanted to seek time with me because he had no one.
When words of sympathy finally came to mind, a grey haired sharp looking man came into the living room.
“Rex. It’s done. Get rid of the female.” He then shot a glance at me.
Rex stood, towering over the man by nearly an entire foot. He glared down, and both men locked eyes.
“Brother, I thank you for your help. I will do as I see fit.” The man backed away from Rex’s face, looking away from him then and down at the floor.
“You know what could happen Rex. I’m only reminding you.” The man still didn’t meet Rex’s face again.
Rex then breathed in deeply, “I know, but this is my territory. I can do what I want. She’ll be staying with me.”
I’ll what? If this guy thought I was staying here. Then he really was out of his mind. I just witnessed a murder and had my entire perception of reality totally changed. The older man left then. Slamming the door behind him.
“Look Rex, I’m not going to tell anyone what happened here. I swear, but I have a life outside of this. I have my own place and a cat and friends.”
He looked at me then, and strode forward until he was within inches from my face. I tried to back away, but my back hit the wall. He leaned in then and took my face in his hands, and slowly touched his lips to mine.
“You can still have those things, but we have to be careful now. There are people out there that won’t be pleased with you knowing the truth. Please trust me.” His lips were centimeters from mine and his warm breath came out in bursts.
I don’t know if it was all of the adrenaline, or if I really enjoyed having him so near, but I closed those centimeters between us and met his mouth with mine. His hands cradled my head and my hair wrapped around in his fingers. Our tongues flicked across each other’s teeth and met and entangled with one another.
I stopped and pulled away, both of us breathing hard, “I can’t do this.” I whispered and then ran from him.
“Lacey NO!” he yelled. I’d already made it out of his living room and to the door. I flung it open and took long strides to my car. The keys were nowhere to be found in my pocket, so I took off running down the driveway and along the street. My apartment complex was only a mile away. I kept running, although with a limp my speed was slow.
I kept turning my head, expecting to see Rex running after me, whether in human form or not, but there was no one chasing me. When I finally made it to the street and was so close to home I stopped and leaned against a stop sign breathing in deep gasps of breath. The headlights of a car passed over me highlighting the upcoming road. It was late. The town seemed empty and nearly dead save for one or two motorist driving away.
After a few minutes of heavy breathing, I felt steadier on my feet, and calmer on my path home. I limped a few more feet before a car pulled up next to me and stopped. It was Rex in his shining overpriced car. The window rolled down.
“Lacey. Please, let me at least drive you the rest of the way to your apartment and make sure you get in alright.”
I hesitated, but relented when my leg began to throb with pain. Just as I was about to walk around the front of the car to get in a deep rumbling growl came from nearby. I turned in time to see a pair of gleaming eyes approaching me from the dark. I backed against the car in terror.
Rex looked over and immediately got out. He stood in front of me, and deep from his chest I could hear a growl erupt.
“Back off Duke. I told you she was staying.”
The figure lumbered into view. A silver snarling wolf snorted and continue to bare it’s fangs at us. Snarling and snapping at the air just a foot from Rex. I gulped back my fear and closed my eyes. Listening to the throaty growl coming from Rex.
“Duke. If you attack, I have no choice but to end you. You know I can.”
I could hear the wolf’s feet hitting the pavement as the snarling got closer. I opened my eyes and saw that the wolf was pacing back and forth in front of Rex. Staring at only me, while waiting to lunge. Rex took action then. He jumped forward and hurled his fist into the wolf’s face and jumped back. Duke yelped out into the dark and jumped back.
“I warned you Duke. Get out of here.”
The silver wolf’s tail was tucked between his legs, but still he was growling, now focused on Rex. He retreated slowly off back into the shadows, looking back at the pair of us only once before disappearing.
Rex then turned to me, “Lacey. I know you’ve been pulled into this without wanting it and it’s a lot to take in, but please. Come back with me.”
I knew things wouldn’t end well if I refused. I thought this entire thing would be over. I kept expecting to wake up, laying in my bed confused about having a really vivid dream, but no. I didn’t wake. Rex was still there, pleadingly looking at me. The ache from my leg brought me back into focus.
“I suppose we can give it a trial run. I don’t really have an option here anyway.”
He brightened then. I carefully hopped over to the passenger side and plopped into the seat. Rex took his place behind the wheel. He didn’t take off right away.
“Do you need to get some clothes or anything?” He asked.
Well yeah, I guess I really needed everything from my apartment now.
“Yeah.” I didn’t know what to say to him then. I owed him more. He’d been kind. I’d found a man locked in a basement and yet he’d saved me now twice over. Although both times it was really his fault any of it had happened in the first place. What really did I have to lose now? A crappy apartment and a dull life? I decided then as he started the car that I should go into the situation with a better attitude.
“Thank you Rex. You saved me from, I’m sure, some horrible end.”
He grinned and looked over at me, “I owe you. Besides, these other wolves are idiots. Why would I dispose of such a good looking woman?”
That made me laugh, “Well thanks, glad that’s all I have going for me.”
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. I looked into his playfully bouncing blue eyes that swept me up into a sea of uncertainty. Rex then kissed my nose.
“I’m sure you have a lot more to you. We’ll find that out with time.”
Oh yeah I had forgot to tell him. I kissed his nose in return.
“Yeah actually, you know my cat that I mentioned? He hates the smell of you and he’ll be joining me in the move.”
