The lie you live is all they really want

He just detested the sight of his own blood. Strange, when he'd killed so many people, still he felt slightly sick by the sight of his blood. Nicking himself while shaving, how clumsy was that? He who could carve up a human being with almost surgical precision! Henry sighed, pressing the edges of the little wound together, hoping the bleeding would stop quickly.

Abby had been so sad and quiet yesterday, after meeting the new reverend and discussing her father's funeral. The reverend had also reminded her that she needed to take care of her father's things: The house, all his possessions, finances and everything. Remembering how she'd blanched by this obviously forgotten task, Henry couldn't help feeling angry at the reverend for making her feel that way. Still, it meant she would have to be on the island for a longer period of time, and everything that kept her here was fine by him.

He cheered up even more when he thought of waking up with her for the second morning in a row. At bedtime, she hadn't even questioned them sleeping in the same bed when he asked if she wanted to get ready for bed first. But it was getting difficult to keep himself in check – not showing her how much he loved her and wanted her. Compared to that, having cops around him all through the coming week would be a piece of cake.

Xxx

Shea hugged her, saying: "Oh, I know what you're going through, and I'm so sorry you have to stay here longer than necessary."

Abby smiled weakly at her. "I understand, don't think about it. I'd do the same if I was in your position."

Shea's whisper of "thanks" was tremulous, and she turned to hug Henry too. He embraced her, politely asking how Madison was doing.

The people participating in the reconstructions were filing into one of the largest rooms at the Candlewick for a quick brief before they started.

"Hey, Henry! I saw you on TV!" A dark, pretty girl waved at them, looking much too cheerful for the situation.

"Who's that?" Shea frowned, clearly thinking this was inappropriate behavior. Abby completely agreed, but glanced at the girl – the was something familiar about her, but she couldn't place her.

"That's Stacy - Sully hired her to strip in my bachelor party." Henry looked slightly uncomfortable by saying this.

"A stripper! At your bachelor party? I've never thought you would approve of something like that, Henry. Did Trish know?!" Shea's eyebrows were almost meeting her hairline, and she looked thoroughly disgusted.

"Yeah, we aaah, kind of expected it, it was Sully after all who arranged... But I really didn't like.. I mean, I knew her when she was a kid! She is the younger sister of one my childhood friends, and it felt wrong to watch her doing that, like watching...", Henry defended himself, looking sheepish.

Abby sniggered to herself. Shea's moral standard meeting Sully's idea of a good bachelor party? Oh, that sure clashed! She winked at Henry behind Shea's back, causing him to blush furiously. She had to bite her lips not to laugh at loud, as Shea continued: "You should be ashamed of yourself, Henry! This is aligned to cheating in my opinion, and it's a filthy exploitation of women besides!"

Henry was stuttering a reply, avoiding to look at her, and still crimson red. Haha, she would have to leave, or else she would burst into laughter for real at his moral predicament.

Xxx

It took so long – going through every little detail they knew about Uncle Marty. She felt bad for Henry, he looked so sad, talking about his uncle. She realized, he didn't have any living relatives left. Neither did she, for that matter. By that thought her loss crashed home, and she felt tears welling up in her eyes again.

Xxx

Waking up, something was off. It wasn't just that her cheeks were dry and sore after all the crying from last night, but - he was spooning her, and his left hand was clutching her breast! She had to stifle a laugh, knowing that he'd be embarrassed to no end if he woke in this position. Speaking of position – she could feel at her back that he'd be somewhat more embarrassed by other things too. She 'd better get out of bed before he woke. This had happened before when they'd crashed in the same bed in college – she couldn't blame him, because she knew it was purely accidental, but he'd feel bad about it, she just knew it. Shaking her head, she wriggled herself out of his embrace. She had to get ready for another day of going through all the dreadful details.

Xxx

Henry briefly wondered where the sheriff had found the body that was in his Dad's fake grave, but he supposed it was probably one of the unfortunate victims from the last rampage. They were telling the police about the gravedigging, and later they would go to Uncle Marty's tree. He had adopted his father's way of naming places after victims. So consequently, to Henry, several places on Harper's Island had new names now.

Abby was still pale after yesterday, she'd been crying all night, looking lost and forlorn. His presence didn't help, and for the first time he had felt unsure and powerless. Henry had to admit to himself, he had not foreseen the strength of her grief. He was worried, and feeling a strong need to relieve himself of the tension. That crew member on the boat – maybe he should take him down? Working on the docks and on boats were dangerous, the death rate was pretty high, a death wouldn't be too surprising. Yeah, he'd try to get to him. After all, keeping himself calm would make it better for Abby. Right now, he felt like he was on the edge of losing his self control, and control was everything. It was just so damned difficult!

Xxx

She had spent the rest of the day curled up on the couch, trying and failing to relax. It was raining - just like any other October day on Harper's, she thought, and she saw absolutely no reason to go outside – her dread stalling her from going to her father's house to start picking through his things. She had just shook her head when Henry wanted to go fishing – fishing! Why wasn't she surprised at all?

He'd made dinner – freshly caught, fried trout, so she told him she would clean the dishes before putting it in the dishwasher. Standing by the sink, she rolled her shoulders, stretching her neck to get rid of some of the tension.

"Does your neck hurt?" he asked, standing right behind her.

She jumped in shock, laughing a little, saying: "Sorry, I'm squeamish – yeah, my neck's a little tense."

He said nothing, but started massaging her shoulders.

"Mmm, that's good", she murmured, relaxing into his hands.

He worked his way inward, lifting up her hair to get to her neck.

"That's even better, you're so good, you should make a career of this", she sighed happily, enjoying the massage.

She felt him move closer to her, before he leaned in and kissed slowly her on the neck. She gasped by the unexpected sensation. Kissing? What was he doing? His mouth made her tingle all over, and for a long moment she was in shock, saying nothing. He continued massaging her shoulders and the upper part of her arms, while his lips and tongue continued tickling her. Shivers raced up her spine as she found her voice again.

"Aaah, Henry? What are you doing?" she managed to say nervously, trying to move away from him. His grip on her shoulders tightened, and he turned her around, pressing his body into hers.

"I don't think this is a good idea, this is not what ..." she tried to say, but he didn't pay attention. Instead he lifted her up, seating her on the sink and positioning himself between her legs. Pulling her hair to the right, he kissed the left side of her throat passionately, and she felt herself make a small, surprised moan. Goosebumps broke out on her arms, and her breath grew heavier. No! This was...

"No, Henry... stop it, this is wrong!" She shoved him in the chest, pushing him off her.

They stared at each other, and she was shocked to see the strength of the desire in his eyes.

"Why?" he demanded. "Why is it wrong? I want it, you want it – I could feel it!" He was panting, still holding her arms.

"Because we're friends, Henry! I don't want us to risk that for a rebound fling!"

"Rebound? Rebound?! Is that what you think this is?" He looked so hurt and angry at the same time, she almost felt like hugging him and telling him she was sorry. But that clearly wouldn't be a good idea.

"Yeah, rebound. Like in bound to make trouble! I don't want that, I want us to be friends forever!"

He let out a groan of frustration, slamming his fist down on the counter before leaving, banging the door behind him.

She stared after him, wondering whatever had possessed him to kiss her in the first place. The loneliness and missing Trish - it had to be that. His temper she already knew. Him being angry when he didn't get his way was just normal Henry behavior.

Xxx

Damn! He was so stupid! This was way to early, but he had lost control. However could he explain this to her? Safe to say, she wouldn't spend the night in his bed after all - at least not tonight.

Risking everything like that! He smashed his fists into a tree trunk, trying to relieve himself of the aggression building up inside. Of course it didn't work – it never did unless he could hurt someone for real – but at least the pain in his hands took the edge of his anger. But he calmed down - slightly - when he thought of her reaction. She had enjoyed it, he was sure.

Xxx

The explanations and the apologies were more than awkward, and they were both quiet and restless for the rest of the evening, watching TV without talking. She went to bed early, leaving him alone downstairs. And of course she didn't go to his room - she really didn't know what to make of his actions. But she couldn't sleep at all. The waking dreams were back in full strength.

Xxx

"Did you and Henry have a fight?" Shea asked, looking curious. "I mean, you're barely speaking to each other today!"

"Sort of", she replied, not wanting to tell Shea about what happened. "It's no big deal, really, just a little...awkward."

"He has quite a temper, Trish.." - Shea's voice caught a little in her throat - "Trish used to say she spent almost as much time coaxing him out of bad moods as the time she used on shopping, and that's saying something." Her smile was a little wavering, but still it was a smile. That was the first smile from her Abby had seen in a long time.

"Really? She coddled him like that? That's like her trying to make up to him! He has admittedly a bad temper, but I've always let him come to his senses by himself, not bothering to try to cheer him up. He always comes around when he's ready", she said. "Trish must have had infinite patience with him!"

Shea laughed a little, as tears welled up in her eyes: "Yes, she had. She really was too patient with him – but then again, so was he with her. And you don't live with him. That makes a difference! This – Abby, I can't take it, I can't believe she's gone!" And her laughter turned to sobs.

As she hugged Shea, Abby thought to herself: But I do live with him, at least in a way right now. And I would never let his temper control me like that – even if he really was my lover. She shivered a little, the thought hitting a little too close to the reason behind their disagreement.

Xxx

Yesterday had been one of the worst days of his life. Abby avoiding him, speaking as little as she could, and clearly being insecure. He just wanted to reassure her, telling her that he'd never do anything she didn't want to, but that was out of the question for the moment. She'd freak out if he confessed his love for her right now. What had he done? Well, he had at least something planned for cheering himself up.

They had today's lunch break in town. As luck would have it, he spotted his selected victim - the rude guy from the boat – very close to the boathouse where he had set everything up yesterday. Sneaking up behind the man in an alley between some sheds at the docks, he gripped his throat hard, dragging him backwards inside the boathouse. Being strangled from behind, the man's feet drummed on the concrete floor of the empty building. Henry savored the sight of his eyes bulging in panic, but he went limp quicker than he had hoped for.

Letting up his grip before the man died, he gagged him expertly and tied his arms to his legs. Stuffing him in a large barrel, he waited until the man woke up again. He had filled the bottom of the barrel with heavy stones yesterday, so he had to squash his victim to make him fit inside. Having done his research, he knew the man wouldn't be missed by his fellow crew members for a few days. The guy had turned out to be disliked by most and besides he was a loner living in a shack into the woods. Sometimes, even a killer had to get lucky, he thought, finding a victim no one would miss.

This is the beautiful part of being a homicidal maniac, he thought smiling to himself, as he enjoyed the mans muffled screams and the fear in his eyes for a few moments. He always wondered if his victims were surprised when they were killed off by such a seemingly, nice young man as him - they probably expected a killer to look something more alike his Dad. Having satisfied his need for invoking fear, he nailed the lid shut, and turning the barrel over, he rolled it into the water by a trap door in the floor.

The barrel sank into the water – it was deep here, he knew that – and soon only a few bubbles were visible. Leaving, he felt thoroughly satisfied and relaxed - shaking off the tension like it was droplets of water. Strangling was simply great - no mess to clean up afterwards. Maybe he should do it more often? But then again, he really loved his trusted knife.

Coming back to where they had lunch, he couldn't help himself and beamed at Abby. She was so lovely, sitting there at lunch looking all serious and talking to Shea.

Xxx

She saw Henry grinning exuberantly at her. He looked sincerely happy, and she couldn't help but smile back – his grin was infectious.

"The storm's over? Friends again, just like that? He sure seems happy at the moment" Shea remarked, taking a look at Abby's own grin.

"For now," she answered. At least the awkwardness would be over. Leaning towards Shea, she whispered conspiratorially as Henry was approaching: "I bet he went fishing on his lunch break. Nothing can lift his spirits like that."

Xxx

At three am, she hadn't closed an eye. Dreading the next day which they would spend at the marina, she had flashbacks of JD and the horrifying sight of the docks blowing up. Seeing it over and over in her head, she also thought of Henry. He was probably being just as scared for the upcoming day - JD and everything. Sighing to herself, she got up from bed and entered his room, creeping under the covers. She did feel a little awkward when he pulled her to him, but the good thing about Henry, she thought, was that he knew when to shut up and not ask questions. Nestling into his arms she fell safe asleep.

Xxx

Waking up by the sound of the door, she could feel him watching her.

"This will be the worst day of the reconstructions for me", he said, "so I wanted the best breakfast first."

Blinking at this incongruous statement, she saw he was holding a tray.

"Breakfast in bed?" she asked.

"Yeah. Coffee, croissants, fruit. In bed."

She had to laugh: "That's your favorite breakfast? Not cereals, eggs, pancakes..?"

"Yep", he said, "I like this. In bed, that is."

"When you're not having breakfast in bed? What do you like then?"

"Anything. But this is special. Hungry?"

"Mmm, definitively. Did you know this is my favorite food for breakfast too?"

He lifted his eyebrows, making a blatantly fake, innocent look of surprise, before laughing to her and saying: "I might have noticed, once or twice."

Hot croissants and coffee – nothing was better than that, she thought. The only thing she needed now, was...

"Chocolate to go with the coffee?" he asked, pulling out a bar of dark chocolate.

Her mouth being full of coffee, she could only widen her eyes at him, nodding happily. Swallowing, she answered: "You sure know how to spoil me! That's exactly what would make this into my dream breakfast."

He grinned at her, looking a little proud, before breaking up the chocolate into pieces – making sure that she got the biggest part of it.

After finishing their breakfast, she asked in a slightly wheedling voice: "You know, I'd love to take a bath."

"Does this mean you want to use the giant tub in my bathroom, instead of the shower that belongs with your bedroom?"

"Yeah. That's right – if it's OK with you?"

"Anything you want! Go ahead."

Relaxing in the tub, she decided that it was big enough for her to swim at least three strokes ahead. Wondering vaguely where he got enough money to buy such an amazing house, she realized that she knew very little about the finances of his company. Maybe he did well?

Damn! She'd forgot to bring towels. She'd have to call him – at least she could still decently cover herself by the remaining bubbles.

"Henry? Henry?"

"Yeah?" His voice came muffled from the other bathroom.

"I forgot towels. Would you mind getting me some?"

"Of course. I'll be right there." She heard him rummaging through a closet, slamming the door, before stopping outside the door. "Can I come in, or..?" he called, sounding a little insecure.

"Come in!" she said, making sure that the bubbles were in place.

Henry entered a little cautiously, trying to avoid looking at her. Instead she stared at him, as he was only wearing a towel around his waist himself. His hair was wet – he must have come straight from the shower.

"Can you place them somewhere I can reach them?" she asked a little intimidated by the fact that they were both almost naked.

"OK, here?" As he left the towels by the side of the tub, she could see that he glanced down at her – almost involuntary, she thought. He backed away from the tub, his eyes lingering a short while on her before he left. As the door closed, she slowly exhaled, only now realizing that she'd been holding her breath. And she didn't really know why.