He was waiting for her at the end of the hallway, near the staircase. The tall, shadowy figure leaning on the wall looks like an avenging fallen angel with his well-defined jaw showered with stubble added to his rugged handsomeness. He looked up to her, steps faltering. His unusual eyes hold her, arrested, mystified.
"You're here?' That the first thing he said to her. She gave him an indecipherable look. What kind of question was that? "I.....am." His eyes survey her, up and down, lingering on her face. Agonizing minutes passed between them, him only gazing at her. What the bloody hell are we doing in the middle of the hallway? She shifted her legs, uncomfortable, eyes watering. To hell with him. Here, all hesitation must have left her. She turned and ignored him, cutting sharply through the flight of stairs. She can feel him following her with his eyes. It seems to take a long time to reach the first floor.
At last.
She eats the distance to her door. The squeaking of the boots accompanied her hurried steps. She cut westward toward another hallway with a door closed. She turned the handle and open it and step into the illuminated passage. She urges her legs to slow down, stretching her senses, attempting to locate his presence inside the building. It disappears, she frowned. That's weird. It's not him to disappear like that. She walks the remaining space to her room, the narrow staircase, spiralling rest on the dimly lit entranceway, different from the lower floor. The eye-catching clear-glass wall facing the ocean was her favourite view, especially early in the morning. The sun's ray reflected on the water's surface glow with untamed beauty. The balcony beyond the glass wall offers a place of solace and solitude but now, encompassing darkness littered the calm water. She stops, eyes trained on the still water beyond. Voices echoed from below, shattering her concentration. She lingers no more and moves ahead, spying the door to her left. The murmur seems now closing in. She hastens her steps trying to avoid unnecessary meeting.
"What have you done is utterly foolish, you fucking bawbag!"
"What do you want me to do? Leave it there? No way, you flapdrol."
"No! And do not call stupid, weirdo."
"Then, drop it. You're making ma' ear bleeds from yer talkin'."
Hand on the door, she turns her head and witnesses them walking on a curve towards the east wing. The man box the other man's head. Furious.
"You useless bumbling idiot! Drop it? Are you mad?"
"Of course not."
"Fucking moron. That's not what I am asking, you jobby-flavoured fart lozenge."
"Then what? Yer confusin' me, man." He's whack on the head, again. "Bloody hell, man. Are ye trying to make me stupid even more?"
"If possible. Now tell me what happened after?"
"Man, I never thought you to be a gossiper." Giving Vince an irritating grin. Vince, who's been itching to flog the man, stamp out the urge to. He needs detail.
"Well...." Of course, it was Vince and Dante. Those were the resident troublemaker. What a refreshing conversation they're having. They were head to head with each other, grinning from ear to ear until they're gone. She opens her door, ignoring them, their voices fade into the distance. She leans her head on the door and breathes deeply. Tension flows, leaving only a battered body and soul. Finally, she can rest. For the time being.
"You are late." A husky, modulated voice startled her musing. She spins her body abruptly. "Sweet frocking fudiculous!" she exclaimed in shock. Man, she hasn't noticed him at all. Eyes wide in surprise, hand on her throat, she stares at him, long and hard, reeling from his unwelcome presence in her room. She needs to put her guard up whenever, wherever. He has this annoying habit of masking his entire existence, a bad habit for her heart and pride.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" She stands, cornered, her back to the wooden door, stormy blue gaze watching her every reaction.
"That was not the answer I seek from you."
"That's all you need to say?" He nodded, raven-accented blond locks brush his forehead. Aristocratic nose scrunch in contemplation. Goodness. He was beyond reason.
"Flumadiddle."
"What?"
"Nonsense."
"You need to be careful."
"That's not the point!" She exclaimed, removing her shoes, depositing them on the shoe rack and hangs her jacket. Athy glared at his hulking figure near the window. She opened the fridge, grabbed the pitcher and drinks water straight from it.
"What did they gave you?"
"W-what?" Coughing from his question. She looks at him, wiping the trail of water down her chin with her hand.
"Did they gave you something?"
"Why do you care?"
"Nothing."
"Certainly, that was not why you are here, was it?" Fixing him a stare to cut all the bullshit.
"Right." he scratches his neck, avoiding her stare. She nodded. "Here." She lifted a brow when he handed her a bow and arrow. Where did he hide them? She accepted them.
"What for?"
"You're comfortable using this."
"And how did you know?"
"I just did."
"Ah...." she wet her lips, "Thank you."
"I need to go."
"Wait. I.....what do you mean by 'I haven't answered your question earlier?'"
"Forget about it." And he disappeared in front of her.
She is left wondering. What was that for, then?
She was left all alone again, she thought. Wait. She has not confronted him about his scheme is. That slimy bastard disappeared as he pleases.