Think of the Devil

Twenty-Four

Despite how warm it was in the apartment, a chill still resided deep in Jane's bones. The cold, dark feeling that she was afraid of was back with a vengeance. It made it hard to breathe, hard to think. It clouded her telepathy as she went through the motions.

She'd already changed out of her wet clothes into sweatpants and an old t-shirt, and she looked for something she could give Matt if he was really coming. She still had his shirt from the other night, and in the back of her dresser she found a pair of socks that might fit him. Briefly glancing towards the back of her closet, she decided against what laid back there. She folded the clothes nicely on top of a towel and set them on the table next to her chair, wandering back into her bedroom.

Sitting at the edge of the bed, Jane's mind was still a blizzard of anxiety and panic. Karen had looked into her. Of course she had. Karen hadn't trusted her from the beginning. This shouldn't have surprised Jane. But digging into her past and talking to Matt wasn't something that Jane was ready for, especially when it felt so soon. She wasn't sure she'd be prepared to tell anyone the truth with all the time in the world. It was difficult enough to wrap her own mind around it, even after all these years.

A small meow distracted her from her thoughts. Scooby was at the foot of the bed and staring at her. She watched the cat for a moment before she remembered her coffee on her nightstand. Taking a long sip, the taste of coffee mixed with vodka made her wince, but Jane didn't think she could get through the night without either. The warm liquid did little to combat the chill that resided in her, though. It still permeated her whole being, causing her to shiver. Scooby nuzzled into her leg, and she idly pet him as the minutes went by.

The next sound to distract her was a dull thud! coming from the living room. It startled her enough to jump a bit, earning a displeased hiss from Scooby. Slowly, she stood up and made her way out of her room and down the hallway.

He was already out of his boots, leaving them in the corner of the room. His mask had been discarded too, hanging off the edge of the table next to the fresh shirt and socks. Towel in hand, he was shaking out his wet hair before pushing it back, patting his face and neck dry. His head tilted as she came into the room, tracking her movements. His own movements slowed to a stop.

The two observed each other for a long moment. Matt's emotions were harder to read now as he focused on keeping himself collected. He was unsure, hesitant around her. He hadn't felt the need to doubt her until now, and he hated the feeling. Add to that he was physically uncomfortable, the rain and the cold outside even worse to his sensitive skin. Usually he enjoyed the rain, but he couldn't tonight.

Inversely, he could tell how cold she was too. Her body shivered from more than just nerves as she stood there and took a long sip from her warm mug. The smell of vodka was enough to overpower the coffee, even though she always brewed it a little stronger than most people. The smell of rain mixed with her normal botanical scent, and he would've loved it— if the smell of anxious cortisol didn't taint it. She was nervous because of their predicament. So was he.

"You're freezing," he said quietly.

"So are you," Jane responded, voice barely above a whisper. She felt light-headed and it wasn't even because of him anymore. At least, not because of his thoughts. She shut her eyes as she tried to get a grip. "Do you want some coffee?"

"No." His fingertips ghosted along the clothes on the table. "Are these for me?"

"Yes," she breathed.

His head twitched again, ears perking up to listen to her. "Why don't you sit down?" he asked, placing the towel over the back of her chair. "It seems like you're about to pass out."