Faceless Instincts

Don't Go Home..!!

I swerved to go inside but found Nikolai standing at the entrance, "what did she say?" He raised a question as he closed the distance between us.

"I couldn't ask."

"What?" His voice was pointed.

I looked up at him, "I just couldn't bring myself to ask her anything, it just felt so selfish."

He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. When he opened them again something had changed, they seemed darker and his expressions were arduous, but they were gone as fast as they came, "I understand" he said and stepped close, "I guess I am just worried"

"I get it, I know some answers would help a lot, but seeing her so broken, I couldn't imagine asking her anything related to her grandmother."

He nodded, "that's probably the right thing."

"Although," I said and shivered as a cold wave of air crossed us, "she has asked if we would join her grandmother's funeral processions."

"We?" He waved a finger back and forth between us.

"I mean she asked me but also that I can bring someone with me."

"And you want me to come?"

"I mean..." I shrugged.

"I will"

"Thanks" I looked up at him, "well, I guess it's goodbye then?"

He cocked his head "I..." He shifted from foot to foot.

"Are you okay?"

"Don't go home."

"What?"

"I know this is stupid" he shook his head and shoved his hands into his pockets,

"Say it"

"I think I am just a little paranoid that's it"
"Why?"

"You know why" he took my hand in his, "I am just worried you know, all of this is..." He paused, "it's a different thing when it a case involving strangers but when it's someone close to you," he gripped my hand, "I think what I want to say is that I am worried, all of these connections and suspicion surrounding the death of this lady and how it somehow connects to you adding the knowledge that it could be a murder, it just puts me on edge."

"Hey," I placed another hand over his, "it's okay, don't worry."

He looked at me, "I know-i know" he looked uneasy, "still" he looked up at me nervously, "you can come to my place."

This time I cocked my head to the side, "what?"

"No kidding, you can just come with me, I am about to leave and considering you haven't had your rest you can just crash there."

I was doubtful if I wanted to do this, but his paranoia made me question my safety. He was not wrong, what if someone had killed the woman on purpose? She knew something very crucial about Dorian, and now I felt stupid for not asking her when I met her.

My mind was filled with fear, what if someone who did this didn't want me to help Dorian? What if they came after me?

I looked up at Nikolai, his expressions were soft and concerned. I didn't feel like defying his fears. Moreover, I couldn't afford to take risks at this point. A resolution swelled inside me, "okay" I said, "I will come to your place."

"Great, just let me get my things"

After a while, Nikolai stopped his car in front of me and pushed open the door, "hope you don't mind a little fur?" He said.