Gargoyle: Kinswoman

Part 4

A small apartment of bedroom, kitchen and washroom was everything left from the divorce. It wasn't big, but it would suffice. She would have loved to have some of the money Robert grabbed over the years, but the divorce had been a humbling experience and in the end she had been happy when she still had her job, despite his threats to get her fired, a small place she could actually afford with no connections left with her ex.

"Welcome!"

She I opened the door for them and pushed her little shoe collection out of his way as he hunched a bit to get through the small door. "It's old, people were smaller then." she mused and went ahead, getting the wet coat off and offering him to do the same while she got the bag ready. He thoughtfully tiptoed over the shoes, pulling his wings higher so he wouldn't drag all of them with him in the kitchen. She climbed out of hers leaving them lying right in front of him while making my way in the bedroom, dragging the backpag off the hanger and with her in the bedroom.

"Make yourself at home!" She went to change, closing the door into his face backhand. She quickly started shrugging out of the clothes she'd spent her morning in. Minute later she was in her favorite jeans, which weren't hugging her enough for long time now and were kept up with thick fabric belt, sitting a bit below her t-shirt and vest. Some things just lasted through everything. Like this little thing – camping trips, high school trips, divorce, running after Selene... No, she scolded herself, she didn't want to think about this right now.

She heard the door creak and watched over her shoulder how his big arm pressed it open. He'd removed his jacket and was holding it in his hand now, peaking in as if to make sure she was already finished dressing.

She waved him in and went on setting up her little overnight bag from the drawers and wardrobe. He let his eyes travel over the empty walls and the loads of books she had there as well. What could she do if she loved books and couldn't toss away anything they tossed out of the library lists that related with building houses? She had loved it – imagining building a place where a family could feel good in throughout the year. Thinking on anything from wall color to natural lightning both summers and winters, when the cool glow from snow would give the large vestibules with Christmas trees that extra magical shine. It was innocent make-belief, everything she didn't get. But they might still have it if she'd just... If she'd just build houses. Which she didn't.

She turned her handbag upside down on the quilt and relocated most of it into the larger bag. She stopped for a moment before reaching after her gun. He observed her checking her gun and leaving it on the bed she went to get the bullets from the little safe hidden away behind clothes. She coached the board away from the bottom of the old style wardrobe and got the safe from there. She hugged the metal box in her lap and turned around, slamming into the wood behind her. Bascun was holding her own gun at gunpoint directed straight at her forehead.

"You love your gun, but you don't know how to properly keep it yet." He pointed out and lowered it, going over the barrel with his hand. "Were you attacked?" He puffed up, sounding alarmed and oddly it warmed her heart to hear him worry.

"No!" She tried to ease his worry, deciding her past wasn't worthy for digging. "Threatened."

"It's a false security, sweetheart." His eyes traveled on her front door. "More locks, bars on the windows..."

She pushed up from the floor. Really rich coming from a guy who was more loaded than any local. "I know. But we both also know they don't keep anyone with good purpose out." He grinned, but it was worn out and made me feel surprisingly tired. "I'll learn how to shoot properly." She promised and Bascun handed it back to her, handle first. "Until then, let's hope you know your business."