Noa

eleven

"I don't think I'm meant to understand myself
Maybe you do, and that's good for you
And maybe in time, maybe one day
I'll do the same"
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I bought a new lock for my front door. Here I am, sitting on the floor, screwdriver in my hand, and still in my scrubs. I wanted to get this done as soon as possible, just in case Ben showed up unannounced.

I pulled the old lock out of the door, leaving a hole in it. I set down the old lock next to my leg on the floor. I pulled the new lock out of the package and look back up to the hole in the door.

I drop the new lock onto the floor and let out a small scream. There's a bright blue eye staring back at me. Elijah. I hear his laugh on the other side of the door.

"What are you doing, Noa?" He asks and I open the door a little further to let him in.

He waltzes in, followed by Jaxon and Kieran of course. Do these three ever go places by themselves? Not that I'm complaining.

"I am changing the lock on my door. Duh." I state the obvious, screwing in the lock. The three of them stand behind me, watching me closely.

"Watch the attitude." Kieran says.

"Well, obviously. I meant why? Who are you trying to keep out?" Elijah speaks again.

I look over my shoulder and look at them. They all have stern looks on their faces. I don't say anything until I stand, collecting all the things on the floor, and making sure to lock the door.

I turn to them, "The boogeyman." I say making my voice deeper with a smile on my face, trying to lighten the mood. I turn away from them, going to the kitchen. They follow me.

"This isn't a joke, Noa. You have to tell us. We can help you. Protect you." Jaxon says, Elijah nodding next to him. Kieran is stoic.

"Do you guys want anything to drink?" I say changing the conversation. I'm not sure if I should tell them about Ben.

I turn around and open the fridge, but I see a hand push the fridge closed. Then I feel two different hands on my upper arms, turning me around. I look up to see Kieran. Keeping his hands on my upper arms, he walks me backward slowly until my lower back hits the kitchen counter.

I'm not scared. Well I am scared, but in the very best way possible. I'm excited.

He's so close to me. Then I see Elijah walk up and stand next to Kieran, on my right. Jaxon does the same except on the left. Gosh, I literally have no escape. I like it though. They can trap me anytime they want.

"When we ask you something, we expect an answer. Ignore us again and you'll get punished, baby." I think this is the most I've heard Kieran talk. Am I breathing?

He's so close to me I can feel his minty breath fanning my face.

His eyes bore holes into mine as he opens his mouth to speak again, "Now I'm going to ask you one last time. Who are you trying to keep out of your apartment?"

I hesitate to answer. Nonetheless, I do. I trust they'll protect me for some reason.

My voice comes out as a whisper when I say, "My boyfriend. Ben. He had a key."

I feel Kieran step away, but before I'm able to move from against the counter, Jaxon takes his place. Oh lord, have mercy on me.

"Why are you afraid of him?"

"He does bad things sometimes." I keep the answer short.

Jaxon pushes my hair so it's no longer on my shoulder. Then he takes his index finger and lightly runs it along my collarbone and up my neck. I thought he was going to leave it there but he kept going up to my face, effectively distracting me for enough time to rip the Hello Kitty bandaid off my face so fast I barely noticed it was gone.