Morning. The sun filtering in through the draw blinds.
Had I drawn those blinds?
The duvet carefully tucked in around me.
Had I done that?
I sat up. My hair had curled up in a crazy knot from sleeping on it while it was wet. I grabbed the hair brush out of my bag and raked my hair until it was just about straight, then went and brushed my teeth with my finger, seeing as I had no tooth brush. It was as I walked out of the bathroom and reached for my clothes that I really thought. I stopped. Dropped my jeans.
Where was he?!
"Good morning," a voice suddenly came from behind me. I jumped. Turned. Found him stood there, knife in hand, an evil smile splayed across his features. But behind his grin, I saw his brow furrow.
"What's wrong?" I asked, no longer scared. More curious.
"Bloody painful," he rubbed his face, "Thought I'd be used to it but no," he caught my gaze, "Find me some pills and I might let you live for a while longer,"
I didn't bother hesitating. I got dressed, not caring that he was watching, went downstairs, thanked the woman whose name was a mystery to me and set off for the nearest convenience store. I knew he was shadowing me. Watching my every move. Making sure I didn't run. I passed by a park at one point and stopped, watching some ducks from behind the railing. They slunk into their pond without a care, elegant and beautiful in the sunshine. Then I felt him come up behind me, and a sharp stick in my ribs, and I moved on. He stuck with me now, his hood pulled up and hiding his face. I noticed his hoodie was clean. Had he used the washing machine in the kitchen of the bed and breakfast? Being honest, I didn't really care. My natural curiosity was getting the better of me as always. And speaking of curiosity…
"What's your name?" I asked as I walked, his breath hissing between his sore lips.
"Why?" he sounded angry. I was going too slow. I sped up a little, and he sped up too, keeping up with me.
"Just curious," I shrugged, pulling my jacket tighter round me.
There was a moment of silence.
"Jeff," he sniffed. I looked at his face, at the angular chin that was just visible below the rim of his hood. I thought back to the handsome teenage lad he'd once been, and wondered how he would've turned out had he not carved that smile into his face.
"Why did you do it?" I knew I was treading on dangerous ground here, but quite honestly I didn't care. I could feel him tense as we stopped outside the store.
"They lied," he spat.
"Lied? About what?" I turned to face him.
"They wanted to get rid of me. Send me to the nut house. Kill me. Mommy said I was beautiful…but she told Daddy to get his gun…" his fists clenched.
"What about your brother?" I pushed. Nothing to lose.
"He was so good, so smart…he protected me…" he looked at his hands, "What h-have I d-done?" he looked up at me, and I saw the once innocent young lad again. His eyes moistened, "Liu…"
I felt horribly guilty for bringing it up. Then his face twisted into anger. He grabbed the collar of my coat and flung me in the general direction of the shop door. I stumbled but managed to stay on my feet, and went inside.
It was the usual shop scene. People browsing. Bored cashier. I went to the desk and asked for ibuprofen and paracetamol. She looked at me like I was a dog's dinner, grabbed two boxes from the shelf behind her, and dumped them on the counter. I handed her a note and she dropped the change noisily into my hand. I grabbed the boxes and left.
"Here," I handed the boxes to Jeff. He was staring at me intensely, a half-confused half-angry look on his face.
"What?"
"Who are you?"
"Elin Waters. Thought you would've known at least that by now,"
"Wise guy," he muttered and popped a couple of pills from each pack, swallowing without water. He winced and stood a little paralysed for a second, then shook his head and stuffed the packs into his pocket.
We stood in silence for a moment.
"Now what?" I shrugged. I was waiting for orders, helplessly feeling like his minion.
He just stood and stared.
"You're a funny one," he stated simply.
"Erm…thanks?"
He nodded, biting his already sore lip.
"You'll make your lip worse by biting it,"
"And?"
"Just saying, it'll be even more sore,"
"It's funny to think you even care,"
"'Course I care. I mean sure, I think you're a crazy sonofabitch who is most likely gonna kill me in the end, but that doesn't mean I hate you. You actually interest me too,"
He stared at me again.
"I like you. You're useful," he looked around, "Come on, I've got a place you can stay,"
"But I have a home-"
He turned sharply, "You wanna continue to see the daylight then I suggest you come with me."