Chapter 4

A Visitor

"Well, this is it, then!" I said, leading him inside. "It's not much, but…it's not much…"

"Wow," he said, admiring the paintings on the walls. "Did you paint those? They're amazing!"

"Yeah," I said, blushing. "My parents used to move around a lot when I was little, so I took many landscape photos, and I like to paint them."

"They're…they're…Wow!"

He turned and smiled his stunning, dimpled smile at me.

I reached out and took the arm of his hoodie. I tugged him to the kitchen.

"So here's the kitchen…and the living room, the bedroom, the bathroom, the office, or for me, the art studio!"

"Cool!" he said. "I should have given you a tour of my place while we were there!"

"You did!" I said, giggling, "on Youtube, remember!"

"Oh!" he said, "Right, forgot you're a danosaur for a sec!"

We went back into the living room and sat on the couch.

"Dan?" I asked.

"Huh?"
"There's something I always wanted to do," I said, smiling.

He gazed at me, confused.

I leaned forward and slowly ran a hand through his hair.

He laughed.

"That's what you wanted to do?"

I laughed and nodded.

Then there was a knock on the door. I froze, knowing all too well who it was.

"Kind of late for a knock at the door," Dan observed.

I rose and walked slowly to the door while Dan watched. I turned the doorknob, opened the door, and stepped back quickly. It was a tall, thin, bald man with black eyes.

"It's past ten-thirty," he said slowly.

*****************Dan's point of view*****************

"Sorry," Evelyn said softly.

"You know you're supposed to be back by now," he said, speaking slowly, threateningly, "Ten thirty is the curfew for these apartments. You know that, and since you live here, you must obey it, Ev-e-lyn….It's hard to believe, sweetheart, but you're not above the rules."

It seemed like he was trying to intimidate her. I watched Evelyn's small figure move backward.

He stepped into the apartment, staring at Evelyn.

She took a quick step back and bumped into me. She didn't step forward after, though. She stayed pressed against me and I was confused and about to step back until I realized that she was shaking. She was terrified of this man! And no wonder, he was literally one of the creepiest people I've ever seen. I instinctively reached for Evelyn's hands, which were pressed against her sides. I held onto them tightly, trying to comfort me, as she shook and stared at the strange man.

"Why were you out?" the man interrogated.

"I was just…out," she answered. "I'm sorry! I lost track of time…It won't happen again, I promise. Please leave!"

He took another step forward, looking at me.

"Who's your friend?" he asked, still speaking slowly. "I thought you were renting this flat for just you…? Who's he?"

He was started to tick me off, harassing innocent Evelyn like that. I felt the warmth of her hands, her shaking figure. I released her hands and stepped in front of her. Trying to be intimidating, which was hard for me, I stared into his black eyes and growled, "Get…Out."

He just stood staring at me.

He craned around me. "Ten…thirty…" he said to Evelyn, and left, muttering to himself.

I followed him and slammed and locked the door. Evelyn sat on the sofa quickly, trembling. Her arms went around herself and she stared downwards. I went to the sofa and sat beside her. I gently reached forward and took her hands. She looked up at me with fearful eyes, and I instantly reached out to her. I put my arms around her back and pulled her into my arms, holding her to me, trying to comfort her. Her hand rested lightly against my chest.

"Dan…" she whispered.

"It's okay, I murmured, "You're safe, I'm here."

I held her and kept myself from asking questions until the shaking subsided.

"Evelyn? Can you tell me who that was?"

Evelyn sat up and looked at me.

"He's the assistant landlord."

"Why are you afraid of him? Did he hurt you?" I whispered, holding her hand.

"He…I feel like he's watching me all the time. I walk outside and he's looking at me, he casually walks behind me in the hallway, and I think he thinks I don't notice. But he talks to me like that sometimes to scare me, and it works."

I kept watching her, looking into her scared eyes.

"And he has access to all the room keys, you know,…and…he scares me, watching me, talking to me like that."

"Evelyn," I said. "You can't stay here!"

"I'm trying," she said. "I'm looking for a new apartment."

"Get your things," I said, "I can't leave you here! You can stay at me and Phil's place tonight!"

"No, Dan," she said. "That's okay."

"Come on," I said, gripping her shoulders, "Phil won't mind!"

"It's okay, Dan," she said, standing up. "I'm probably just being paranoid, it's okay."

"Well, if you don't want to come to my place then, can I stay at yours?"

She gazed at me, thinking.

"Please?"

She nodded.

"But don't you need to get your things, Dan?"

"Too tired," I yawned. "I'll just sleep here on the sofa."

"In skinny jeans and a sweatshirt?"

I pulled off the sweatshirt. She stood there a moment, surprised, taking in my bare chest.

I felt a little self-conscience. I'm not exactly…fit.

She went to the bedroom, and came back holding her pajamas and very large, baggy gray sweatpants.

"Here," she said. "These might fit you. They're huge on me!"

"But they're girls' sweatpants! I protested. "I can't wear those!"

She put them on the coffee table.

"But they're comfortable. And I won't tell," she said, smiling.

She went to the bathroom and shut the door.

They did look really comfortable. And I didn't want to sleep in skinny jeans. I put on the sweatpants. I could practically feel my masculinity slipping out the window.

I heard the water running, and the faint sound of her singing…

Evelyn came out later, smelling of roses and vanilla cupcakes. Her large blue pajamas with moons on them were adorable.

She got me a pillow and a sheet, and then I watched her go to the desk in the corner and push it with all her might in front of the door. I stood up and went to her.

She looked up at me.

"He has access to all the room keys…" echoed in my mind.

"You do that every night?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Evelyn, tomorrow I will search for a new flat for you, I promise."

"Thank you, Dan," she said.

I hugged her. The pajamas were soft and silky, and her hair smelled really nice. She went to the bedroom and closed the door. I flopped onto the sofa and closed my eyes.

*************Evelyn's point of view*********************

I shut the bedroom door, and then leaned against it, thinking. I opened it again and tiptoed to the sofa. I peered over it, at Dan's beautiful face.

"Dan?"

"Hmmm?"

I leaned over and kissed his cheek. He smiled, with his eyes still closed. I scurried back to the bedroom and closed the door.