Fill My Lungs | J. Todd ✔

[02] Serial Killer

He drove all the way back to town in silence and she too didn't ask him anything as she kept looking out the window. His safehouse was far in the suburbs so it would have taken her very long to reach her place if he hadn't offered to drive her back.

"Did you carry me all the way from the bar on foot?" She voiced out the question on her mind at last, analyzing that it was indeed very distant from the town.

"I don't know," he replied vaguely, "I hardly remember anything."

He had in fact carried her all the way to his safehouse on foot. His cheeks tingled again because he did remember that but chose not to say it out loud.

However, she didn't ask further as she spoke, "just drop me off at the supermarket. I have to pick up a few things."

"Okay."

He parked close to the supermarket and she got off, then as she was closing the door, she gave him a soft smile.

"Thanks for the ride back and the very delicious breakfast, I really appreciate it. And this hoodie too, you sure you don't want it back?"

"You're welcome. You can keep it."

Her smile widened and she waved lightly before turning to go to the supermarket. 

He should have left but he paused, just then realizing that she didn't have any bag or money on her so how could she possibly pick a few things up from the store? But much to his surprise, instead of going in through the front door like other people, she went to the back.

Perhaps she lived in the building above it and didn't tell him because he was a stranger. A stranger she had spent the night with but still it was very understandable for her to be cautious.

Feeling that he shouldn't stay there any longer, he backed the car from the curb and drove off, shaking away all thoughts of his unexpected companion.

It was just a one-time thing, he reminded himself, he would probably never see the nymph-like creature again. And he would surely never get so drunk as to bring a complete stranger to his safehouse again because it was totally not wise for a man in his position.

He was the Red Hood and he had a lot in that safe house that shouldn't come to the knowledge of anyone other than his teammates. 

Thinking about his teammates, the Outlaws, he remembered that he had to meet them and tell them about how his last mission had gone so terribly wrong that they would need to figure out a new plan together. 

It was after all the reason he was in that bar drowning his thoughts in alcohol, a petty way to deal with the situation but by now he had to face it like he usually did. So he dialed Roy's number and waited for him to pick up the call so that they could decide when and where to meet and discuss their next move.

***

She creaked open the backdoor as she slipped in, climbing the stairs silently and being very cautious of not stepping onto the creaky floorboards. But she didn't have her keys so she had to knock on the door of her two-room apartment that she shared with her friend Sarah.

Bracing herself for a lecture, she waited for Sarah to open up and in a while she did, a cross look on her face.

"Sorry," Valerie mumbled, stepping in and closing the door behind her.

She saw that Sarah wasn't alone and her boyfriend Marc was there too who worked as the bartender at the same bar she had gotten plastered at the previous night. She grimaced upon seeing him, realizing he would have told Sarah everything.

"Val, how many times do I have to warn you not to leave with strangers..." Sarah was shaking her head in disappointment, "and you left with him of all people. Do you know how stupid that was? I was about to call the cops if you hadn't returned right this instant."

"You've never threatened to call the cops before," she shrugged, giving a glare to Marc for being a tattle tale and telling about who she had left with to her friend, "and he was nice."

"Literally everyone except you believes he is a serial killer."

Her eyes widened in surprise, "wow, Jeffrey Dahmer kinda shit?"

"It's not funny, Val. We were so worried."

She shrugged, kicking off her shoes and filling a glass of water for herself, "well, Marc, you could have called Sarah to take me home before somebody else did then."

"I was busy, I work there. One second I turn my back on you two and you're gone," he remarked, "do you know I checked the bar thrice for you even when I was closing."

"Sorry," she mumbled again, "I was just having a really bad time."

"And did going with him fix that?"

She tilted her head to the side, thinking about it then smiled, "maybe. At least I got to have the most delicious breakfast ever. I don't know why you guys are so scared of him when you don't even know him."

"Don't tell me you've made up your mind to get to know him now," Sarah remarked in a firm tone, treating Val like a child just like she usually did, "sometimes I feel like I shouldn't leave you alone for even a second."

She knew her friend was just worried so she got down from the counter she had perched up on and went to give her a hug, "don't worry. I am always careful, you know that."

Sarah handed her phone to her, "yeah, careful... You forgot your bag at the bar too."

"Thanks for fetching it back, Marc," she smiled, watching him roll his eyes wearily.

He stood up to leave and kissed Sarah's cheek, he stepped out with one final warning to Val not to get so drunk as to put herself in compromising situations.

When he was gone and Sarah had locked the door, her eyes flickered to the hoodie she was wearing, "and he lent you a hoodie too?"

"He tore my blouse off, it's only fair," Valerie shrugged nonchalantly, "oh but Sarah would you believe, serial killer or not, he's a total jackpot."

"I don't wanna hear how good he was in bed because I know this look," the woman remarked.

"Nah, I was too wasted to remember that but he made the best scrambled eggs I have ever tasted," she added with a light laugh seeing her friend's annoyed expression, "I am not kidding."

"You know what, I give up," Sarah sighed wearily, "you can do whatever you like with your life but please keep a phone on you so that we know where you are and you can call us if things get weird."

She smiled, trying to take Sarah into a hug again, "aw, you're the best."

"Go take a shower, Val, you reek of alcohol."

"Ooops," she laughed and her friend's expression softened at last. "I have to work the afternoon shift today so I will leave before you. Don't worry, I will keep my phone with me this time."

"You better. And if you ever feel like someone is stalking you or something, call me or Marc straight away."

Valerie nodded, stepping into her room, "sure thing."

However the thought of Jason being a serial killer just felt very amusing, she laughed lightly as she closed the door. He had been sweet to her, she couldn't imagine him showing up with a knife on her doorstep.

But then Marc had been very serious when he had made that remark. Perhaps Jason really was dangerous and she should stay away from him. But then it wasn't like she was going back to his place ever again or meeting him just for the sake of it.

It was just a one-time thing between them. It wouldn't repeat or so she thought.

***