"Gene." Kat says sternly her brows are furrowed and her green eyes are sharp and severe, I notice that her hair is orange again.

"What in the actual fuck? Weren't you with him just last night?" She trains her glare at the other end of the room where Eric sits with a Dauntless girl several years older than him with long blonde hair.

I chew the flavor-less bit of greens between my teeth, finding myself unable to eat the meat on my plate.

"You aren't going to do anything about it?" Jade asks me with a concerned tone.

"What do you expect me to do?" I ask with disinterest.

Max and Falen already went through a thorough search of my apartment and have yet to fully employ Eric officially but it's obvious what will become of that situation.

Right now, I'd just look like a jealous girl.

"I don't know, punch him in the face?" Jade asks incredulously, slapping her palm with her fist to add emphasis.

"Lay claim? I mean I doubt any girl would go near him if they knew he was ever involved with you, you're sca… Pretty, I mean." Kat says. "Do you really just not care if he's like that?" She slides a cup of coffee over the length of the table and I take a sip immediately despite her devious expression. "Oh my gosh, Gene you aren't just in it for the-"

"I am." I reply flatly, they both start giggling uncontrollably. My shoulder is starting to itch and burn, I resist the urge to scratch at it. "Like I said before, we are not ex-."

"No strings attached?" Jade asks with a shocked tone, covering her mouth as though she's speaking too loudly.

I nod my head slowly. If that means it's just for convenience without real attachment. Though more for my inconvenience.

"That's actually kind of hot…" Kat says with a sly smile and a brow wiggle. "Does he have a -"

"No." I reply before she can finish her question. They start laughing raucously, clutching their stomach, catching their breath with red faces.

I think about telling them that in the near future if Eric has his way, relations will be against the rules anyway but I remain quiet.

"Hey, you guys I thought that Gene was-"

"Shut up!" Jade exclaims pulling Gabriel down into the bench, he protests due to his ankle but he was distracted looking over in the direction Eric sits.

I sigh deeply at the situation while they whisper harshly to each other what the 'down low' is.

"Are you going to come with us?" Kat asks me while Jade continues to express the situation to a flabbergasted Gabriel.

"We're going to meet up with Joseph at the Wheel, Amar says they're going to-"

"Maybe not today, I want to clean out my apartment and get some sleep." I admit while stretching my arms over my head to add emphasis to how I don't intend to join in on Dauntfest' drinking and horse playing today. "I have work to finish up."

"Oh yeah, you need some sleep after last night eh?" Kat says with a wink, flinging food off the end of her fork.

"What?" I inquire while brushing bits of stray vegetables from my hair.

The knocking at my front door is loud and sharp from my spare bedroom, but I make no move to get it. Instead I lay back against the headboard with my legs over the pillows and another under my head.

I continue to ignore it and turn the page of the book I found on the bed when I came in to clean out the closet and everything in this room in preparation for Dauntfest.

This book is filled with pictures of animals. The likes of which I've never seen before, there are no words but the names of each creature under each image.

A giant cat with fur around its neck called a Panthera Leo, and a horse with black and white tripes all over its body called an Equus Quagga.

There was a note within the pages that read.

8:00 P.M. CAROUSEL -ERIC

I left his note on the table with the remains of my crumbled flower, near the ashes and discarded filter from Max's cigarette from when they confiscated my toys.

It looks especially pathetic.

I let out a sigh of aggravation when Eric flops down onto the bed beside me crumpling and smashing spreadsheets and documents, he wears a wide toothy grin.

"I see you found the book, I wasn't sure you would."

"You have a key." I state flatly. He sighs contentedly and rolls onto his back placing his hands behind his head as if he's getting comfortable, the various papers crumple beneath him and he pays no mind.

"I do, courtesy of our leaders." Eric says with a chuckle. "Max also assured me that your apartment no longer has any sharp pointy objects, although… I'm sure you're capable enough with just your hands and teeth."

I still have the knife in my boot.

"Oh and you don't have to meet me at the carousel, turns out we have an excuse to spend a lot more time together publicly anyway." He explains casually. "I wanted to try a new approach, I even got the advice from a blonde female on how to properly…"

I tune him out and turn a page in the book and gaze at Canis Lupus, wolves and I wonder if they live outside the walls and threaten the fields of Amity.

"Back to the silent treatment?" Eric asks with palpable annoyance. "I thought after last night and this morning we we're making progress with expressing feelings, like jealousy or-"

I respond by turning another page to look at Cetacea, large underwater creatures and I turn the book sideways in awe at such a thing. It spreads to both pages, there is said to be a lake near Amity but surely it's not big enough to be suitable.

"Eric." I say sternly releasing my grip on the book to stop his wandering hands from sliding up my shirt. He mumbles incoherently into the skin of my abdomen, pushing the pillows under my legs off the side of the bed.

"Mmm." He responds. "I like." He continues between biting and sucking on the flesh of my stomach. "When you say my name." He finishes before resting his lips on my hip, his teeth grazing along it.

When he starts undoing the belt buckle of my pants I press my foot to his chest to push him off.

"You're obviously okay with physical contact. You let everyone touch you." He complains, as though this is any different from a casual handshake or the contact I receive from others. "Do you even feel anything?"

"No." I reply flatly, in actuality I can feel people touching me, physical contact is just that, contact.

Feelings of attraction towards someone is dangerous, a weakness. With his proposed rule changes I thought he had recognized that acutely.

Not to mention my own reservations against such meaningless ways to use my body.

"Are you afraid of physical intimacy ?" He inquires before snatching the book from my hands. He tosses it over his shoulder and I hear it slide over the cement floor.

I glower at him, clenching my hands into tight fists.

"Oh I get it, you don't feel like you deserve to be physically intimate with someone. . .?" Eric asks, his brows raise like he has unraveled a mystery and he begins to look thoughtful. "Because you took away your friends lover… Is that why you keep those flowers? Is that your way of expressing remorse or guilt over the Amity?"

He leans in with the intention of placing his mouth on mine, I tangle my fingers into his hair and pull his head away.

"There is something extremely attractive about someone so inherently heartless." He breathes attempting again, gripping the back of my neck.

An uncomfortable feeling presses on my chest, one I do not recognize. This is in retaliation to this morning no doubt, wrought undesired consequences.

"Shouldn't you be giving those flowers to your friend?" Eric asks tauntingly, continuing his attempts to elicit a rise out of me. "You know, I once walked in on them in the initiates dorms."

He laughs while shaking his head like he remembers. "Let me tell you, it was much more satisfying watching you drag his body to-"

My fist connects with his jaw, my knuckles contracting with crushing force, stopping the rest of his words from exiting his mouth and he plops back onto his side while laughing and rubbing over the area affected.

"Aww Genie. I promise I'll behave." Eric says with a mocking pout while sitting up. "Mmm, on second thought, I'll behave even better if you bite me again."

I take a deep steadying breath and retrieve the book off the ground, returning the pillows and attempting to gather all the loose papers before stalking into my living room, tossing everything onto the table, before crumpling his note.

My hand hesitates over the crumpled flower before snatching it up and throwing it into the sink.

"Alright seriously, Genie." Eric says following me to the kitchen, he says 'seriously' and uses a stern tone and yet still calls me Genie. "Gene… Genesis."

He takes a hand and places it to his chest. "I really couldn't care less, if you are."

I scowl and snatch my jacket and boots from where they lay and head for the door.

"Don't forget to meet me at the Carousel. 8 P.M. Sharp." Eric calls after me informatively, while I slam the door behind me.

I'd almost forgotten I had work.

"The first few days are just drinking and drinking games." I reply without attempting to put the headphones back over my ears, I had removed them several times for conversation.

Four had asked me about Dauntfest, as Abnegation has no such festivities.

"To let go of everyone we lost during the year and to also say goodbye to those leaving us." Zeke says.

Four nods his head slowly, my answers are not completely explanatory but he does not complain, I should be more appreciative of his patience, my mood had soured greatly due to the incessant itch in my shoulder and because of Eric.

"Yeah we don't have old people in Dauntless. " Zeke adds, while spinning around in the control room chair. "They either make the jump or go to faction-less, we told you this a while back remember?"

I place the headphones over one ear so I can hear their conversation and start browsing through the screens. I don't isolate particular footage but am tempted to when one shows Falen and Max with the leadership candidates.

"How old is old ?" Four asks him, his expression is displeased, but it has always been this way in Dauntless, it is an achievement to live long but also one to die bravely young as well, being Dauntless isn't particularly an occupational hazard so, many live to a old age.

"I guess like 60, sometimes older." Zeke replies. "It depends on their like… I don't know health, physical shit stuff."

'Physical shit stuff', it's amazing how much someone can simplify, there are many deciding factors besides age.

"We get like an examination or physical once every decade." He waves his hand dismissing it.

"What about the rest of Dauntfest?" Four asks continuing his inquiries and Zeke is the one that explains that there will also be war games, fights, marriages, one year-age commencement, other random unimportant events, the fireworks, and this year they are hopeful for Amar's Ferris Wheel.

"You guys don't have birthdays?" Four asks curiously. I sigh deeply leaning back into the leather chair. At this rate he will never run out of questions, and I will not be able to use the surveillance freely if I am always tempted to answer him.

I check my watch. 7:34 P.M.

"Gene." Max says sternly. "Where is Eric ?" He asks and he looks down the hall, left and right.

I don't reply. I was on my way to the Pit where I saw Amar and the others through surveillance.

Max side steps into my path with his hand out. "Hey, it's not that we don't trust you, it's just precaution… temporary." He says with a low but even tone loud enough for only me to hear.

I try to listen for any other implications in his voice, but find none. I sigh with aggravation, my age and relation is out of my control. My sour mood and wavering patience shows.

Max just laughs and claps my injured shoulder. "If he bothers you that much…" Max trails off. "I'm kidding, it was a joke." He chuckles before crossing his arms over his chest, my expression remained passive, I fail to see his humor. "Eric could use this as an opportunity to prove that he isn't what you think." He tilts his head as though I should catch on. "He has a passion for Dauntless-"

"Gene." Calls the most grating voice in Dauntless. Max glances up to see Eric and gives him a tight smile, there is an apparent hostility in the moment.

One I did not notice before.

"Max." Eric greets respectfully, before placing a hand on my lower back, unwarranted contact in front of an authoritative figure.

"Eric." Max reciprocates with the same respect, clasping his hands in front of him. "Well… You kids play nice." He says mainly to me, before turning sharply to start towards the Pit. "It's fucking Dauntfest!" He calls over his shoulder with a little less enthusiasm as he did this morning. "Hoorah!"

"Do you know what time it is?" Eric asks me with verve, pinching me in the side. "Oh, wait, I see you have your watch, so you deliberately stood me up."

"It's 8:02 P.M." I reply flatly, giving him a bored expression.

"You're 2 minutes late." He replies with fervor.

"You aren't even there." I argue back.

"I was on my way." He admonishes, before shoving me in the opposite direction of the Pit, again, his casual familiarity is found to be trying. "Want to get some coffee before we go?"

"No."

"Alright, coffee it is." Eric persists.

The weather is dreadful to be outdoors, the wind is frigid and bites at my cheeks, forcing cold through the layers of clothing and the scarf around my neck.

Even the warmth of the coffee cup through my gloves is barely effective. The cover of the carousel does little to stop the slanted snowfall and I vaguely wonder how they ever expect to get these contraptions to move if the weather keeps freezing them in place.

It's dark but the dim security lights, illuminate everything enough to see, although the snow and darkness still make it extremely difficult.

I find it hard to understand why Eric would even want to be out in this kind of weather, but I suspect it is to distract me.

"Cold?" Eric asks with a wide grin, his breath comes out like white smoke and his eyes are bright.

Instead of answering I take a sip from my cup, it's sickly sweet because Eric deliberately put sugar into it. It's as though he will never cease tormenting me, and now he has support.

The heavy feeling has yet to dissipate and has begun to feel like smoke pouring out between my ribs.

He kicks off from the horse he was leaned against and walks to the end of the platform, tilting his head up to catch snowflakes on his tongue.

"Live a little… It's alright you know, it's just me, I promise to judge you harshly."

I make no move and instead watch the white fluff fall in rapid succession everywhere, blanketing everything in more and more layers of white.

Our footprints in the snow have already been filled in completely.

Eric gives me an impatient look, bordering on irate as he gestures for me to join him. I lean against the slightly dilapidated horse with missing ears indignantly, before taking another sip for the warmth.

"So… I noticed you haven't had a drink yet today, why is that?" Eric asks casually, choosing a new topic for unwarranted conversation.

"I'll drink when we get back." I reply flatly, for the sake of ending conversations.

"Who will you be drinking for?" He asks making his way back over, he wraps his arms around me from behind, on the other side of the horse. The warmth is immediate as he breathes hot air over my shoulder and onto my cheek. Pressing his cold face against the side of mine.

I sigh deeply, with a heavy fog of exhaustion. He is the most aggravating person I've ever met and, I've had people stab me, sometimes on accident. I find myself preferring knives to words right now.

Eric chuckles before saying "Wouldn't want you to get drunk and accidentally smile right?"

"Or get drunk and kill you." I state without care for my petulance in the moment before taking another gulp, the liquid has made my tongue barbed and left an aftertaste that can't be removed by dragging it between my teeth.

"Mmm." He presses his cold lips below my ear and shudders, before squeezing me tightly. "Save that kind of talk for the bedroom."

"You are not permitted to stay in my apartment." I admonish, swallowing thickly, having almost choked on the lukewarm liquid making it's way down my throat. As always, I don't appreciate his innuendos.

"I have a key." Eric replies smiling against my skin as though my banishment is no longer viable because he has means of entrance. "Besides, I'm officially your boyfriend now, completely committed to your discomfort and inconvenience."

"Temporarily." I remind, although I do not completely agree with their method of making it look natural for the two of us to be together often. "Under pretenses."

When we are alone he does not need to keep up the appearance, it's purely theatrical.

"If you say so." He says with a mocking tone, his arms tighten and he presses his chin down onto my shoulder applying slight pressure to my injury. "Well… On a lighter note, this carousel will never work."

The Pit is buzzing with chatter and excited cheers and chants. The lights are twinkling brightly and everyone has a drink in one hand.

Several air filled balloons are being tossed on the sea of people, when they pop, it releases a rain of confetti. This isn't the usual setting but every year something else gets added, as a suggested improvement to Dauntfest but it's always unnecessary, excess. Serving no function other than entertainment.

Eric had taken my jacket and gloves but left me my scarf saying it might be sobering to have something 'wrapped around my neck'.

He has become even more macabre and dark, I feel that may be his intent to spur more violent behavior from me.

I check my watch. 11:06 P.M. It's still fairly early but the drinking lasts long into the nights.

People sit on the ledges of the Pit on the higher floors all cheering and the smell of alcohol is heavy in the air, so thick you can almost taste it when you breathe.

"Genie weenie!" Kat hollers to me, she grips the end of my scarf and pulls me further into the crowd of people, everyone bumping and swaying into me.

I realize now how much physical contact I go through in a day, it's something I never thought about before Eric pointed it out.

"You're finally here! Where were you?!"

When I tell her I was with Eric, she punches me in the arm, my shoulder still hurts occasionally but only because I've been scratching at it recently, she wishes me luck in my 'doomed relationship.'

I thank her and she laughs before pouring the rest of her drink into mine, stating that I 'need it more.'

I take an occasional sip of the dark yellow liquid, the twinkling lights illuminate it, to change its color from dark to light. It coats my mouth and tongue thoroughly before burning its way down my throat, igniting my insides.

It makes me feel heavier, the dark smoky feeling pours faster out of my ribs.

"Eric doesn't look happy." Four says just loud enough to hear over all the conversations and noises in the cavern, and he sounds pleased but I had not noticed him come near me, and I am not sure exactly why he needed to inform me.

I blink through my distracted haze and shrug, focusing on the remaining balloons still being hit into the air.

I had noticed Max in the crowd looking to be enjoying himself, surrounded by older Dauntless, and then Falen being salacious with Marlene's mother.

Both of them are here.

There are many celebratory areas in Dauntless but the Pit is the most populated.

Eric stands on the other end in a small circle with Amar, Bud, and Tori. He doesn't look in our direction so it is hard to judge his expression or mood, I find myself appreciating anything that could dampen his spirits, also appreciating the distance and people between us at that moment.

Kat, Jade, and Joseph all drink and chatter excitedly around me, with conversation that changes so quickly and drastically that I hardly take part.

Four is with Zeke and Shauna but we stand close enough to where our groups mingle, the conversations overlap and often times cut into one another.

The younger Dauntless born weave through the crowds interrupting people and start random games, of which you have to drink upon losing.

I wonder vaguely if this will be the last year for this, if Eric's new rules will be accepted and implemented.

"I think they want you to go over there." Four says and he gestures over to where Amar is waving his hands enthusiastically for us to join them, clearly he gestures to both of us, pointing directly to each one.

"I don't see it." I reply. I hear him chuckle.

Four and I remain stationary, watching while Amar gives us an impatient look and a head tilt.

I drink the rest of my beverage and point to my empty cup as though I am going to get another drink and Amar frowns.

I've elected to prolonging my respite. Eric turns and raises a brow questioningly when he sees my company, his mouth presses into a firm line, eyes narrowing fractionally.

Four takes a sip of his drink. "I like to stay far away from Eric."

"Same here." I admit.

"Really? I heard you two were-"

Eric looks even more annoyed and I watch with a dull expression as he downs his cup, wipes his mouth on the back of his hand and starts making his way through the crowd in our direction.

"I need another drink." I say, and I start making my way in the opposite direction towards a group of Dauntless passing drinks out faster than there are hands to receive them.

Eric manages to take the cup being offered to me before I can, and slides his previous one under it to grip my wrist.

"Why were you talking to Four?" Eric asks, speaking into my ear so I can hear him over the noise, his tone is one laced with disgust.

I assume that he is still incensed from having gotten his ass handed to him' during initiation. Though it was long ago. He harbors a grudge.

Any other reason would be foolish of him to display.

I remove my wrist from his grasp to take the cup from him to slide mine under the previous one.

"He can still kick your ass right?" I ask conversationally. Eric scowls at me and takes to wrapping his fist around one end of the scarf. "Ranked 2nd to a stiff."

He's only the best candidate by default, because Four declined. I don't need to remind him.

Eric pulls me in by the scarf and lowers his face to my level. "What rank would Ami-"

I grasp his jacket at the throat and pull him in, our lips just an inch apart, effectively cutting off his retorts.

His expression stunned, then I shove him away, spinning out of my scarf and make my way back through the crowd, he follows closely, fuming silently behind me.

"Genie weenie." Amar greets, draping an arm over my shoulders. "Where's- Oh never mind." He says.

When Eric joins, he laces his fingers between mine, locking them firmly. To be automatically associated with such a person is almost demeaning.

"That's so cute, little Gene all growed up." He wipes at invisible tears and squeezes me roughly. "Although, no offense Eric but, she can do better."

"None taken." Eric answers with an uncaring tone and a shrug, I notice he wears my scarf over his shoulders, it look oddly like a vest. "I know what kind of guy she deserves, I'm sure I can give her exactly what she wants ."

Tori sputters on her drink and laughs while Bud gives him a congratulatory slap on the back. I dig my nails into the back of his hand, his skin is clammy, overly warm.

The act of hand holding is possessive and an extremely awkward thing, even for him.

"I approve-Ish" Amar laughs it's it's a slightly nervous sound, while swaying, it is obvious this group is already intoxicated. "But… You have to pass a test."

"Ooooh." Tori says with interest, she slaps Bud on the head to get his attention and he snaps into focus.

"I'm listening." Eric assures with a shrug before gulping his drink. He swallows thickly and I watch his throat move as though I can see the liquid make its way down.

Remembering the names of the organs that work to perform the function of delivering it down and the immediate effects of alcohol on the body.

"What is Genie's favorite color ?" Amar asks jokingly, his challenge is playful with no ill intent and Tori complains that he should make Eric do something.

I would appreciate if it made him release my hand, my nails are already dug in deep enough but his fingers remain clamped tightly.

Eric's expression becomes one of amusement and he gives me a raised brow. "Orange." He replies with a smirk.

The rest of them laugh and tell him he has guessed wrong, but I vaguely wander back to the color of Kat's hair, and the way it makes her green eyes much more prominent.

That wandering thought would probably indicate some truthfulness. But I desist, he is wrong.

I take a sip from the cup I hold, letting the alcohol drench my pallet and very slowly retract my nails, he rubs soft circles into my hand with his thumb.

"Next question, what is her favorite… Drink?" Amar asks, squeezing my shoulder. "If you get this wrong you have to drink everyone's round." He adds slyly, raising the stakes, although he never made clear the result of failing the test.

"That carbonated shit thing." Eric answers confidently his grin widening to a toothy smile, his eyes brighten as though he enjoys the attention, they congratulate him on getting one right and tell him it's 2 out of 3.

I had not realized I had grown partial to that particular drink, or that they all decided it was my favorite.

"Alright, alright, laaaaaast one." Amar states, quieting the others. "This question is… hmm… Okay last one is a…"

"I got this one." Tori declares holding her hand up, Amar nods complacently. "You have to… Make Gene laugh or at the most smile."

Amar laughs and Eric looks at me calculatingly, his brows furrow at the challenge. He releases my hand to adjust the scarf like he is going to make an attempt.

I do not want to see what he would come up with, especially with the prop.

"He has." I admit, to intentionally de-escalate the situation. "When he threw his boots at me."

Tori and Bud erupt with laughter because they remember, Amar complains that he didn't hear about this story, and Eric tenses slightly when I slide my hand back into his, running my fingers over his slightly sweaty palm before lacing them between his.

The sweat would indicate discomfort.

"Is that when you started liking him?" Amar asks curiously, ruffling my hair. His dark brown eyes are soft and warm.

"No." I reply but their renewed laughter would make it apparent that they don't believe me.

Eric's grip tightens, squeezing my hand. I do not look to see his face.

The quiet settles in every corner of the living room, the kitchen, my couch with my jacket and gloves draped over the backrest, the disorganized table with documents and spreadsheets, the open doors leading to both bedrooms that would normally be closed, and I can see the unmade beds.

First I organize the papers and smooth them out, piling them neatly on the table. Then I replace the sheets on the beds, fluffing the pillows and straightening out the comforters. I don't think about what I'm doing, I just do it, I force my hands to comply. Busy them.

"I think you most resemble the… Laniidae… Lanius, or shrike." Eric's voice cuts into my silence. He lounges on the couch, his boots hanging off the armrest. He's taken up residence on the cushions with the book of animals. He explains that the shrike are a type of bird that impales its prey. "Or maybe not… birds are too… fragile, hmm."

A soft knock on my door interrupts me from balling the sheets up and I drop them on the ground to answer it but Eric bounds off the couch first and I resume my work, surely he can manage something so simple.

"Oh uhm… is Gene with-" I head over immediately when Eric says I'm 'indecent' suggestively and can't come to the door. He is infuriatingly obscene.

"Gene!" Jade giggles nervously. "You haven't seen Gabriel have you? or Kat?" She asks, her cheeks are slightly flushed like she may have been drinking, she gives me a sly smile and Eric returns to the couch with an over-exaggerated sulk.

"Not since the Pit." I reply truthfully. She responds with an exasperated sigh and offers a goodnight.

I had hoped with both Max and Falen at the pit I would have an opportunity to search Falens office, but now I am unsure I'll have such a chance.

Jade hesitates at the door so I don't close it. "I'm staying with… Sean tonight." She confesses patting her cheeks with a bright smile. "I see you've got your Eric." She gushes like it is something pleasant before asking me not to tell anyone about her plans which I had not asked her to divulge in the first place.

Kat and the others had not mentioned if they planned to stay the night, I assume they won't.

I check my watch, which reads 12:56 A.M. and I kick off my boots while locking the front door.

"I'm going to bed." I say with a deep and steadying breath, although I really don't need to announce myself. My disappointment evident.

"Is that an invitation?" Eric asks distractedly.

"No." I reply, heading to my room to change. I already made it clear that he was to either leave or stay on the couch or in the spare.

"I'll be right there…" Eric says with an oblivious hand wave over his shoulder. "I'm gonna shower first…"

I only get to the chasm when I run into Max and like earlier today he asks me where Eric is. His expression is disappointed and irate.

"I needed a break from him. I was going to get a drink." I half lie. Chastising myself over it because the pit, chasm and lounge are in opposite directions.

Max laughs and hands me a bottle from one of his pockets. "We have a meeting tomorrow morning. Don't get wasted." He slaps me on the shoulder and turns away towards their offices.

I reach Eric's apartment and check if it's locked, but I feel as though he gave me an opportunity deliberately, the fact that his apartment was unlocked is also highly anticipatory.

It almost makes me feel inferior, and yet I still go in. Driven by my need to know.

My previous plan had been foiled but I hoped to find solid evidence that he'd been reporting back to them, and not just 'babysitting'.

The soft click sounds off as the metal slides out and the silent scrape of a slightly too big door for the frame makes me hesitate for a moment.

What his intentions are, or his motives, I cannot fathom just yet. I'm unused to so much invasive attention.

The living quarters is dark, and I make out the various shapes of his table, chair and couch using the little light that filters in. It's exactly the same as before.

I close the front door behind me and lock it before feeling for the light switch, and the very first thing I focus on after my eyes adjust to the light, is the scrap of paper on his table.

Predictable. -ERIC

I crumple the note into a ball before pressing my palms into my eyes with enough pressure to make my vision swim while gritting my teeth and turn off his light before exiting his apartment, although, I should have searched it more thoroughly I'm not exactly sure how much time it takes someone vain and egotistical to shower, if his shower is even real.