Chapter Four

October 28, 9:30 PM

"Sorry, but that was the worst thing I've ever seen," Karl informed me, laughing as I gaped at him. "What? You can't possibly have liked that."

"No, I'll agree that it was awful, but come on. I know you've seen Elimination Round Six. You're going to tell me that this was worse than that piece of crap military propaganda?" I couldn't help but laugh as Karl's eyes squeezed shut and he shook his head in protest.

"Elimination Round Six wasn't propaganda. It was…" I tried not to look too amused as he struggled to come up with some sort of defense of the movie he'd forced me to go see last week. "Okay, it was, but it was entertaining propaganda. But this? You honestly can't tell me that you liked anything about this movie."

"Actually, I can tell you that I liked the music and the leads were really good, even if the story made absolutely no sense. And you can't tell me that you didn't totally love the belly dance scene," I teased.

"Yeah, that was really cool…until she got swallowed by a whale. What was up with that?"

"It was a dream. It was supposed to be surreal."

"Riiiight," he drawled, laughing as he reached out and took my hand as we walked. "But just for making me watch this, you have to come with me to Hack2."

"No way. You agreed to come to this because I went to Elimination Round," I countered. "Next movie pick is mine."

Karl groaned in exaggerated misery. "Okay, fine. But how about we go rent something, go back to your place, and get it over with tonight," he suggested as if it were some sort of punishment. The way his mouth twisted into a mischievous smirk and his eyebrow raised as he glanced at me sideways made me suspect otherwise. Especially when he started to ask, "Your mom's still…"

"Until Tuesday," I nodded, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the implication he was making. "Karl…" I started, hesitantly, not wanting to blow anything, but needing him to know that I wasn't ready for what I suspected he was really asking.

Karl stopped walking and turned toward me for a moment, looking suddenly serious. "Ellie, it's okay. We don't have to…do anything, you know. I just wondered if I'd get kicked out before the movie finished."

I felt my face heating up with embarrassment. "Sorry, it's just…"

"You're not ready. And that's okay. We've got all the time you need." He kissed my forehead, and fell into step beside me again, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "We'll just watch the movie. Honest."

Silly me, I believed him. And yet an hour later, we were back at my house and the movie we'd rented was not being watched. Not that it was entirely his fault, and not that I entirely minded.

I melted against him as he ran his hand slowly down my back, kissing me fervently. I felt a little self-conscious about where to put my hands, but forgot about that as we very slowly rolled until his unfamiliar, but not entirely uncomfortable, weight settled carefully on top of me. I knew I should probably remind him that I wasn't ready to do anything more than what we were doing, but…it felt good. Especially when I felt his hand trail lightly down my neck, urging me to tilt my head back to give him access.

I was embarrassed to realize I was panting a little bit as his mouth broke contact with mine and he began placing feather light kisses along the same path his fingers had traced moments before. I was torn between trying to concentrate on not making a fool of myself or focusing on how good it felt. I was strongly leaning toward the latter. At least I was until I felt his hand moving up under my shirt, pushing it up as his hand slid higher. I tensed and quickly lowered my arms, pushing him away. I wasn't ready to go there.

"Sorry," he whispered, and quickly moved his hands back to neutral territory. "It's okay. Just relax," he urged then kissed my neck again. I tried, but I just wasn't comfortable anymore. Still, I didn't want to ruin things. And it wasn't like it was that big a deal, I scolded myself. I wasn't a prude. It wasn't like I was a total innocent or anything, either. And we'd been going out a month, after all. I closed my eyes and tried to make myself loosen up again.

I felt my heart pounding as Karl shifted his weight and then his mouth was on mine again, his tongue flicking against my lips, requesting entrance. I wasn't so sure I wanted to start that again, but when he started to pull back, I realized that I didn't really want him to stop, either. I arched up and kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck as I sat up a little more, pressing against him.

A few minutes later, I felt his hands back under my shirt. For a moment I tensed, but this time I didn't stop him. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on calming my now completely out of control heart. I felt my mouth going dry and absurdly started shaking as he suddenly pulled the shirt up over my head.

This was going too far, too fast.

I didn't want to do this.

"Karl," I panted, trying to pull away from him. I was startled as he followed me, and once again was on top of me, pinning me down with his full weight. "Stop," I insisted, though I was out of breath and couldn't put much force behind it. I gasped as he only shifted again and I felt the suction of his mouth against my throat, most likely marking it. "Karl…" I started trying to push him away, getting a bit mad that he wasn't backing off. Instead, I felt his hands sliding around my back and his fingers nimbly making fast work of the clasp of my bra. No. This wasn't going to happen. My body flooded with adrenaline and I shoved him as hard as I could, pushing him off me as I sprang to my feet, furious. "I said stop," I asserted my anger, glaring down at him as I quickly fixed my bra and started looking for where he'd discarded my shirt.

He was quickly up on his feet, and backing away from me, his face looking suddenly pale. "I'm sorry, El…I didn't…I--" he stammered. I wanted to believe him. And really, it was kind of my fault. I mean I didn't stop things the first time, and had even stopped him from ending it and…no. I wasn't going to take the blame. No meant no. I felt doubtful again, though, as he reached down and collected my shirt for me. "I'm really sorry. I didn't hear you." He looked so earnest that I felt my anger fade and turn to guilt. I had been out of breath. And until that moment, I had been into it, too. Maybe…I sighed and started to nod, but I couldn't quite make myself meet his eyes. I was too embarrassed. I'd made such a mess of everything. I looked away.

And screamed as I saw someone standing at the window, staring at us.

It was just for a split second and then he was gone. Almost like he hadn't even been there, but I know what I saw. Further, I know who I thought I saw, but it made no sense. Frank was probably cuddled up with Marco at his house, not hanging around mine peeping in windows.

Karl whirled around to see the empty window. Seeing nothing, he looked back at me uncertainly.

"There was someone…" I informed him, my voice raw. I shivered and looked away uncomfortably, suddenly very conscious about the fact that he was still holding my shirt in his hands. I folded my arms across my chest, embarrassed.

Karl's eyes immediately grew stormy and he turned and headed for my door in a rush. I started after him, but hesitated at the door, watching as he rounded the corner of the house, apparently hoping to catch the guy before he got too far. "Karl, don't!" I called after him, afraid for him--charging off to catch the culprit without any sort of weapon or anything to protect himself. I should go after him, but there was no way I was running through the neighborhood half undressed. I rushed to my room, grabbing a sweatshirt from the top drawer.

I should call the police, I realized as I tugged the sweatshirt over my head and hurried back to the front door, which still stood wide open. I grabbed my cell and took it with me as I headed outside. Without any sort of weapon to protect myself. I felt foolish and more than a little freaked, but I didn't want to take the time to go back for one. Police would be a really good idea, though.

I flipped the phone open and was about to dial but hesitated. What if it was Frank? What if he and Marco were out here just…messing with us or something. Maybe I shouldn't call just yet.

"Karl?" I called out, rounding the corner of my house at a fast jog. There was no sign of him anywhere. I turned to look the other direction, but there was no one. "Karl!" I called out again, hoping my voice didn't sound as freaked out as I felt. God, what if he was out there hurt or something? What if the guy like stabbed him or something? "Karl where are you!" I called, knowing that I was sounding slightly hysterical. "Answer me!" There was still no sign of him anywhere.

I should definitely call the police. Marco would have revealed himself by now if it was him and Frank playing a prank. Wouldn't he? Or maybe it was a prank and they'd gotten Karl in on it, and now they were just waiting to jump out at me. I hesitated again then decided to try a different number. I hit the speed dial for Marco's cell. If he were out here, I'd hear it.

"This is Marco's Cell," his voice informed me cheerfully and I slapped the phone closed again. Damn, it wasn't him.

"Karl, this isn't funny, answer me!" I yelled again, rounding the back of my house and peering into the thickly wooded area that ran behind the whole neighborhood. Surely Karl wouldn't have been dumb enough to go chasing the guy through there in the middle of the night.

I shivered and looked helplessly back at my house. "Karl, I swear if you don't answer me, I'm calling the police!" I held completely still and listened for anything that might tell me he was nearby. All I could hear was the rustling of leaves in the wind.

A/N: Like it? Hate it? Don't know yet? All feedback is highly appreciated--does a neurotic writer good…;) Chaos