Grim Echoes

Chapter 37 - Maeve

They ascended the stairs to her floor quickly. Maeve was slightly winded from the speed. Neither Will nor Ander were. Will scanned everything around him again. Looking for threats, she assumed. Will nodded to Ander, who stared down the long hallway while Will leaned close to her door and listened. Even considering everything that'd happened, it seemed a bit much for a Tuesday afternoon.

Will tilted his head toward Ander. Ander used one hand to insert her key into the lock while he kept his body in front of hers and blocked anyone from viewing her if they were in the hallway. He didn't even look at the door when he slid the key in place. Before she could ponder that more, Will had opened the door and already advanced into her apartment. She stepped into her living area and wondered if she'd left her dirty clothes on the couch again. Will was walked around, his gun out, and checked her bathroom and bedroom like she'd seen in movies. It would've been funny if she hadn't been attacked by demons only days ago.

"You should get your bag," Ander said from behind.

She spun around. How had she not heard him close the front door? She headed toward her bedroom and passed Will, who once again nodded at Ander. She hadn't realized Ander would follow her to her room. Maeve went straight to the closet and pulled out her travel toiletries bag, a duffel bag and a small carry on travel suitcase. Putting them on the bed, she wondered what to pack because she didn't know how long she'd be gone.

"All of your bags match," Ander said, with a note of surprise in his voice.

"Yeah, they were a set. I liked them because they have my favorite colors: pink, purple and green. What's your favorite color?" she absently shoved several pairs of leggings into the bag. She flicked her eyes to Ander.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and peered at her. "Purple," he replied hesitantly. "Will's favorite colors are green and red," he offered.

Maeve stopped folding a shirt when he mentioned Will's favorites and wondered why he felt the need to tell her. "Like Christmas?"

The corners of Ander's mouth tilted a fraction up, and he nodded.

"Do you think I need shampoo?" Before Ander could respond, Maeve entered the bathroom and answered herself. "Of course I should pack shampoo and conditioner. Anywhere we go won't have the right stuff. And I should take my toothpaste too," she muttered and gathered various items from her bathroom. In the end she'd packed enough for three weeks, maybe four if need be.