A Crossbow Aimed at the Heart

Chapter 5: A Step Outside...

Jeremy's eyes fluttered awake to birds chirping outside. He glanced around for a moment, remembering that he hadn't travelled home the previous night; that he wasn't in his own bed. He turned to the spot next to him, expecting to find Wednesday laying asleep, but it was empty.

'Sure, she's a night owl,' he reminded himself.

He sat up and yawned as he stretched his arms over his head.

Next to his side of the bed, a long, black night robe hung from the dresser. He noticed a label attached to it, which read "Jeremy" in ink calligraphy.

He hopped up and examined it for a moment, smirking to himself. Removing the label, he put the robe on and tied it at the waist.

He located his jeans and pulled his cell phone out from the pocket, checking he hadn't missed any incoming texts. Something he did enjoy about working for Wednesday's parents was that they rarely contacted him on work matters, and when they did it was only ever by letter. Naturally, as their money manager, he was privy to most of their financial activities, however he often felt the need to check in at the house from time to time to see that they were in fact still alive. Though, part of him wondered whether it was worth concerning himself over them at all, as sometimes he suspected they might somehow be immortal.

'Perhaps I'll entertain that thought with Wednesday,' he smirked to himself.

Thankfully, his own parents hadn't tried to bug him about not having been home yet, either, as he'd mentioned to them the previous day about the possibility of him staying the night with a 'friend'. Jeremy wasn't actually entirely sure how he'd go about explaining the nature of Wednesday to his parents, were things to continue and they actually began dating — it occurred to him that she might be somewhat of an acquired taste, as a person...

He ventured slowly downstairs. He found no sign of his host as he wandered through the foyer and into the kitchen. He noticed her candles still sitting in the same spot on the counter as the previous night. He imagined they still needed a while longer to set. Nevertheless, their fragrance still vaguely scented the air. He meandered over toward the small round window above the counter and held the hatch open. Daylight streamed onto the street outside.

A cold hand suddenly found itself on Jeremy's shoulder.

"Boo," Wednesday said, with little enthusiasm.

Still, Jeremy jolted forward in startlement, dropping the hatch with a thud.

She smirked in amusement.

He turned to her, his mouth agape. "Good morning?" he chuckled.

"Morning, day dweller," she smiled.

She stepped toward him and began adjusting the collar of his robe.

"You look good in my clothes," she teased.

He pressed his lips together. "Gee, thanks." He grinned at her.

"You sleep soundly?" she asked.

"Yeah, I did. Did you... stay awake the entire night soundly?" he joked.

She smirked again and let go of him. "I did have somewhat of a long nap with you after you fell asleep." She shrugged. "I might not be tired for a while."

"Oh," he smiled, "you wanna do something, then?"

She looked around, considering it.

"I mean, it could be fun just to wander the city a little," he offered, "I think there's a market, actually, just down the way."

She stared at him dubiously. "Do you just... Have a photographic memory of everything you pass when you drive down here?" she teased, "why do you always seem to know where everything is in my neighborhood?"