Wrestling the Kraken

Bridgett

Bridgett

Bridgett was back in her apartment. Setting the bag inside the closet, she slumped onto the bed. She ran her fingers through her hair and stared at the ceiling. These obstacles are getting too much! His own mother!

It was necessary, she reminded herself. She went back through all the details that marked her as an obstacle. With her out of the way now, Dante could still have the circus.

Soon he wouldn't need her anymore, since he was doing well for himself these days. Only one major threat remained and it was on her for waiting so long.

Nothing new came out of the mystery copycat, which she still didn't know much about. Not knowing would be dangerous, but oddly enough, she didn't feel a need to rush and find out. Logically, she knew it was a threat and danger lurked in the act, but no alarms went off inside her. It was as if she didn't care and if she was honest with herself, maybe she didn't.

Lately, there seemed to be other activities she would rather be doing, such as heading back over to the circus Lanz and her new friends were building. She smiled at the thought and knew for a fact she would rather be there.

Getting up, she threw on some jeans and a t-shirt and headed out. First, she would go to the hardware store and buy some more paint. Passing by Vito's, she noticed the sign out. It read: 'Today's Specials: Red Tail Fish.' Recognizing the message, she wondered what he was up to? Looking around her, she decided to continue to the hardware store. Vito would have to wait.

Parked in the shadows of the alley across the street, Mahone and Stavo staked out Vito's place. Mahone watched as Bridgett left the building and walked down the street. "So she lives there, huh?" He mumbled.

"What? Who lives where? That blonde over there?" Stavo asked.

"Yeah, she keeps popping up for some reason."

"Do you need me to follow her?"

"No. We know where she lives now. Maybe I'll accidentally bump into her one of these days."

♦

Bridgett got home just before six in the evening. Crime was getting worse in the neighborhood and Lanz didn't like her out late, especially with the rose murders still unsolved. He walked her to the door.

"You know you could have just stayed with me tonight, instead of coming here to this part of town." He said.

"I know. Sometimes I just prefer a bed." She smiled at him, then continued searching for her keys. "Maybe once your house is built and you buy one of your own."

"Soon. I'm actually looking forward to living in it. I'll probably still keep the tent though, you know, just in case."

"In case of what?" She finally found her keys. They must have slipped from their usual spot. "If you keep it, you'll just be reminding yourself of the years spent keeping people away. If you really want to move forward, then treat it like a bandaid and rip it off. Not that I mind the tent, but when the house is built, you should throw it away."

Lanz considered it.

She placed her key into the door, opening it, and turned to him. "Well, good-night. Thank you for walking me home."

Lanz looked down at the ground, then glanced up at her. "Hey... can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"What are we doing here? I mean... are we... dating?"

Bridgett dropped her keys. "Oh- "

"I got it." Lanz offered and bent to pick them up, but Bridgett had already moved for them. They did an awkward stop and go dance of bending down and reaching for the keys. They both laughed, empty handed.

"Anyway, here you go." Lanz finally grabbed the keys and handed them to her.

"Thank you." She flushed.

"Well, good-night then." He turned and started walking down the hall.

She felt a loss, watching him leave. "Hey Lanz." She blurted.

He turned around. She took a few steps toward him and placed her arms around his neck, leaning on her toes. Looking into his eyes, she paused. His eyes were searching hers, then he leaned in for a kiss.