Chapter 4: The Man Who Lives Here - Part Two
"Have a seat. Would you like some tea?" He got up.
"No, I can get it."
"No you're the guest. Sit."
"Oh...OK." I sighed and waited. I took off my bag and put it down beside the table. "My name's Natalie, by the way."
He paused a moment at hearing my name, before continuing. He placed the steaming mug in front of me. "Thanks."
He turned around and proceeded to turn on the stove and take out a frying pan. He started frying some eggs. I reached across the table for the sugar.
I was determined to ask him all the questions I could without actually being face to face. I don't think I could handle being under his gaze for too long. I wasn't scared of him or anything. It was just that he could be very intimidating for a man I saw get beat up not too long ago. I took a deep breath.
"Can I ask you something?" I stopped. "I don't mean to sound rude but, your mask - why do you wear it?" I had never met anyone like him before. He wore that mask and obviously stayed hidden for a reason. I mean - people could be cruel, but I also wondered if it was more than that.
Again, he paused in the middle of what he was doing. I hoped I hadn't offended him.
But he answered, "So I don't feel pain."
He inhaled deeply, then began again. "I suffered a mutilation. Without the mask, the pain would - is - unbearable."
"So before - that's what you meant by agonizing..."
I continued. "If I'd have known -" I could see that he had finished cooking so I stopped. He put a plate in front of me, as well as bread. There was no plate for himself. He just sat down across from me. I froze up, for he was now looking at me - waiting for me to finish my sentence.
I began again. "If I'd known, I would have run after you - instead of walking like an idiot. Crap! I feel horrible now."
He said nothing. I then realized if he was going to eat, he wouldn't be doing it in front of me.
"Can I ask you something else?"
"Eat first."
"OK." I reached into the bread basket and took out two slices. I scooped my egg between the slices and took a bite.
A few moments later, Barsad entered the room. As he did, Bane got up without hesitation and walked over to him. Him and Bane exchanged some words that were too quiet for me to hear. Bane nodded at whatever he was saying.
I sat quietly and finished my tea.
After they spoke, they backed away from each other.
"I'll be back in a moment." Bane said simply, as he walked out
Barsad was leaning against the counter. I assumed he was waiting. I could feel him watching me. Since we were alone in the room, I took the opportunity to try to get to know him.
I got up with my plate and mug and walked over to the sink. I looked up at him. "So - is it your job to wash the dishes then?" I asked, teasingly.
"I don't do that, sweetheart." He smirked as he leaned farther back on the counter.
"Why not?" I paused - serious this time. "So what do you do then?"
"Don't you worry about that, "he replied, smiling at me in a peculiar way.
"OK..." I placed my dish in the sink. Whatever he did, I had a feeling it was something important. I walked to the table, picked up my bag and slung it over my shoulder.
I was heading to the doorway, when I stopped and turned to Barsad. He stood in the same spot but was now glancing out the window - still waiting for Bane, I guess.
"Um, could you tell Bane I said thanks and that I had to leave?"
He turned to me and grinned. "Tell him yourself." I think he must have thought I was scared of Bane and was probably laughing at my reluctance to tell him I was leaving, myself. I wasn't scared though, just wanted to avoid the awkward "thanks and goodbye".
"OK, then." I said. He looked hesitant as I turned around to go.
"Hey, just wait for him to come upstairs, though." he said.
I continued on my way and left to look for Bane.
That's when I noticed a light as I walked towards the basement door.
I quietly opened the door and called out. "Bane?"
I started heading down the steps, unsure if he heard me. There were a lot of them and what I presumed was a few more after the turning coming up.
"Bane," I said louder. "I think I'm gonna take off..." I took a few more, but I bumped into him before I made it all the way downstairs.
"Hey..."
He watched me nervously. "That's fine. I'll see you on your way out." He gestured towards upstairs.
Then, I looked behind him at a wall covered with pictures and newspaper clippings. There was a desk down there covered with papers and even a laptop with a freaking modem and everything. I guessed there must have been a TV down there as well. What kind of recluse was he? Most of the rooms had little to no furniture. Why was this one so high-tech?
He started to move, so I had no choice but to do the same.
I hesitantly turned around and headed back the way I had came. When we reached the top of the stairs we continued silently until we got out the front door.
I wanted to ask what all that was - but I didn't think I had the right. After all I had just met him and he was still a stranger. Maybe that was what he did for a living. He had to earn money somehow right? Maybe he worked for the CIA like in Homeland. I doubted they would hire some guy with a weird mask anyway...
I turned around. "Thank you for letting me stay the night - and for breakfast. I mean you didn't have to...so thanks."
"It was no trouble, really." He stood in the doorway, the door slightly closed. He probably wanted me to hurry up and get lost.
"Well, I'm glad." I folded my arms. What did I do next? Leave?
"Do you live far?" He asked me.
"Oh, no. I'm like 20 mins away."
I nodded, unsure if it was OK to leave now.
I started down the path. Then, I turned around to see him still by the door. "Maybe I'll see you around." I told him.
He nodded, but he probably thought it was unlikely since he didn't go out much. The chances of me seeing him "around" were close to impossible...unless I came to him...
"Maybe." He added.
Then, I continued walking, knowing that he would still be watching me until I was out of sight.
A/N:
Reviews would be nice.