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While his back faced me, I looked down at my body. My appearance couldn’t be more un-put together than his. Yoga pants, unlaced Converse, and a hoodie. But I didn’t want to leave him alone downstairs, so I settled on my attire. Then I remembered the low, messy ponytail in my hair didn’t hide my scar to its best ability, so I slid the hair tie off, ran my fingers through my hair, and let it fall to both sides like a curtain. I fixed the hood around the nape of my neck higher and assured it was snug over my collarbone the same moment he turned around.
“Lock the door for me, would you?” he asked, making his way deeper into the home.
The deadbolt clicked, and I turned as he passed the stairwell, heading toward the kitchen. I followed his steps, and watched as he placed eggs, vegetables, meat, and cheeses inside. Flour and a few other ingredients now lived inside my cabinets, and he turned to face me.
Ilias leaned his back on the edge of the counter, crossed his arms. “Want to ask you a question, and I need an honest answer,” he said.
I stayed silent, unable to promise something that I may not be able to answer because there were things— things I knew were death wishes to utter.
“By the way you answered the door, it seemed you felt in danger. Were you planning on doing something?”
It seemed Ilias saw everything, noticed and picked apart it all. And the way his eyes were now watching me, he already knew the answer.
“What was your plan, Davina?”
Davina.
“How do you know my real name?” My shoulders straightened.
“I know it’s hard to trust a stranger, but I’m here to keep you safe.”
I closed my eyes for a brief moment before I answered. “You would be surprised how much a stranger had gained my trust before.”
Ilias’s eyes narrowed. “Then trust me.”
“The guest room,” I replied as our eyes locked. He uncrossed his arms, and rolled his shoulders back. “I was going to go out the window.”
“The window?” Incredulity rang in his voice. “Have you taken the chance to look out this said window?” He took a step away from the counter top, not stopping until his feet met the first step of the staircase. Ilias looked back, noticing I hadn’t moved, and continued going up the stairs.
He was a cop, sworn to protect, but his aura was troubled, mixed in light and the edge of darkness. It was dangerous to follow him up the stairs. Yet, I still did because in some twisted way, Ilias made me feel secure and all it took was a glimpse of his light blue eyes.
When I stepped inside the guest room, it smelled stale from being closed in for so long. A bare bed stood on the far left side with a beat-up nightstand, and a lamp that had seen better days with dust flurries over its yellowed shade hanging sideways. Ilias stood out with his large frame in such a small room as he faced the window.
“The paint is so old it's stuck to the seal. You would’ve never gotten this open,” he said quietly. “Even if you had, the only way you could’ve escaped is by jumping.” Ilias faced me, eyes turned to slits and lips curled on the corner with displeasure. “You wouldn’t have made it far. With such height, your body would’ve been injured. Even a rolled ankle can disable the best runners.”
“I never said I thought it through.”
“Then tell me.” He took one step closer until his body towered over mine. But I felt no fear. “What would you have done next?”
“You ask questions as if I know the answers,” I replied honestly. He took a step back, his head slid to the side as his eyes tried to decipher me like a riddle. “The truth is, I have no fucking clue.”
Ilias nodded before dismissing me by walking past me, and I stood frozen with my eyes locked on the stupid window.
“You shouldn’t curse. You’re too pretty for such words.”
“Pretty?” I asked with a huff and turned.
Ilias waited by the doorframe.
“Delicate.”
“Delicate?” A scoff rasped my throat.
“Graceful, gentle, soft,” he kept on.
“You mean, weak?” I sneered.
“Not at all. Reckless? Maybe. But never weak.” He peered over my body as if he finally solved the riddle. “Truth is, I don’t see an ounce of weakness inside of you. Just fear. And fear can get you killed with reckless games and decisions.”
