Roses

Chapter 4

Adam

The sight of Zoey Kirby trying to get away from me elicits a response from me I couldn't have predicted. There's definitely sadistic pleasure, in seeing her scared of me. But there's something else I don't quite want to acknowledge. Something akin to panic.

Panic that she may succeed in getting away.

But I shake my head free of those thoughts and focus on what is in front of me. The shock wave that went through her at hearing my voice is obvious. I could almost make out the different parts of her body going rigid one after the other.

She takes a pause before turning to look at me, her electric blue eyes shining rather unnaturally. But that's how they had always been. Lively.... and just begging me to snuff the light out of them.

"I just... thought I'd rather walk," she says slowly. I take lazy steps towards her, watching as her already rigid body tries to go stiller.

"Even though you know there's a serial killer running free?" I stop a couple feet away from her and cross my arms in front of my chest, letting her have the illusion she can walk away if she wants.

I know it's essential for my plan to work.

"I'll take my chances." She raises her chin slightly to stare right into my eyes. Her body still holds the same position so I know she doesn't really feel the confidence she's trying to emanate.

"As opposed to letting me give you a ride? Why?" I guess she didn't expect me to ask it directly because her expression falters for a moment before she looks away.

I don't know for sure how much she remembers me from her childhood but something about my presence obviously intimidates her. If I don't fix it, she will only continue trying to avoid me and I can't have that.

"I-"

"Look, Zoey," I cut her off. "You just came here so you don't know how serious the situation is. If you insist on walking alone carrying all your luggage I won't stop you. But I can assure you the only living soul you'll find on the streets at this hour in case you get lost, which you probably will, is the serial killer." I don't miss how she takes a single choppy breath so I know my words are getting to her. And honestly, I'm not even lying.

"I only want to help you." I don't really want to but I add, "So what will it be?" Like before, it's important she feels like she's choosing this. But it's a gamble. If she doesn't choose what I want her to....

"Fine." She looks at me and then at my car. And I feel relief coursing through my veins.

"Well, then." I gesture her to get in the car as Sam holds the door open for her. Once the car starts moving, we fall into silence again.

She's here beside me now but I know the second we reach her house she'll try to bolt. And then probably avoid me for the foreseeable future. I'm no stranger to barging into other people's lives to get what I want but that's not how I envisioned my plan with Zoey to go. I need to get her to drop her walls around me and that won't happen till I drop mine. Or at least some of mine.

"I must say I was surprised to find you here in Roses. It must be like what six, seven-"

"Nearly ten years." Nine years, three months and ten days. But I can't tell her that.

"Right," I say when I realize she wasn't going to say anything else. "So what brings you back?"

"The house, mostly." She finally turns to look at me. She doesn't bother telling me why the house matters since I was present when Chief handed her the keys. Good. I know all about it anyway. "But the town too, I suppose."