I stood in front of the television in my living room, staring at it as Terrence's words echoed in my mind. 'We know you' he had said which had seemed more like a warning than confession. It had scared me. I didn't know what he meant and quite frankly, I was afraid to find out.
My apartment felt different. It felt unfamiliar. I don't know whether it was because my body had gotten used to the soft, comfortable atmosphere at the quarters, or because the last time I was in there my idea of reality had been completely different.
I walked around a bit before finally settling down on my couch and turning the TV on. I changed channel after channel, unable to find anything worthwhile to watch when I heard a soft knock on the door.
I froze. I could not make myself get up and open it or even move. After the last few days, I had become so cautious that doing even the simplest of tasks seemed like a risk. I was afraid of who might be outside and what they might do if I opened the door, and it didn't help that the person kept on knocking. Without giving it an ounce of logical thought, I increased the volume of the TV to drown out the knocks, but they got louder with each time I pressed the volume up button on the remote. I started panicking and sweating profusely, thinking I was in a threatening situation. Before I could pick up the phone and call the helpline number, the knocks stopped, and I heard the voice of the guy standing outside my door.
'Olivia! What the hell are you doing?' Ian screamed. 'Just open the fucking door!'
Embarrassed, I got up and slowly opened the door, letting him in. The look on his face was the same one he had when we had first met. He looked like he wanted to strangle me, and I didn't blame him. My paranoia had gotten the better of me.
'I'm sorry about that.' I apologized.
He simply grunted and gave me a disapproving look before making himself comfortable on my couch.
'Do you always make people wait outside for hours before opening the damn door?' He mocked.
'I'm sorry' I said. 'I was scared. I don't know why. Won't happen again, I promise.'
His expression softened. If I wasn't mistaken, I saw some guilt in his eyes for having shouted earlier. He let out a deep sigh, turned around and switched on the TV. He increased the volume, deliberately making it so that I wouldn't hear him say what he did after that.
'You don't need to worry.' He muttered. 'I'm going to protect you.'
For some reason, that made me feel at ease. I pretended as if I hadn't heard him and walked into the kitchen. My thumping heart had slowed down to its normal rhythm and my hands had stopped shaking. Hearing him say that he'd protect me was enough to make me feel safe in my own home again. I couldn't remember why I hated him at first or why he had warmed up to me as well. Generally, I wouldn't be comfortable with a guy sitting on my couch watching my cable TV while I stood in my kitchen looking at him do so, but something about Ian's presence felt comfortable and cozy. It felt as if there was nothing to worry about as long as he was there.
Not a moment too soon, my thoughts were interrupted by the jingling of keys and opening of the front door. Fuming with rage, with a big frown on her face was Mel, storming in looking like she was going about to blow up.
'You come here!' She shouted at me. 'I am going to kill you!'
Just as she came closer to me, Ian jumped up from the couch and ran right between Mel and I with his arms stretched out and his body entirely hiding me.
'Woah!' He exclaimed, 'What's going on here? You can't just barge in here threatening my girl.'
I was about to say something when Mel beat me to it.
'What do you mean your girl?' She demanded.
'Yeah!' I joined in. 'What do you mean your girl?'