Burned water [completed]

2 - I got a special power

We walked down the staircase, him two steps behind me. I was tapping my head in my imagination, asking myself what I was doing. Am I just moving an unknown man into my empty apartment where it will be just me and him? I began to formulate a plan in my head on how to get near the pepper spray undetected and slip it into my pocket. Also, are there any knives on the counter?

'There's not much room here' I started to explain, opening the door. I owned one room and a bathroom. ‚You can sit by the radiator. You'll have a good view of the street and stay warm.'

I moved one of the two chairs I had under the window. Previously, only the owner of the apartment sat on it once a month. This was my first guest.

I touched the radiator with my hand. It was closer to cold than warm. Will anything go my way today? Oh yeah! Towel! I definitely have a towel at home. I ran happily to the closet and oh horror! I mentally cursed my disorganization three times. I didn't have a single clean towel, they all had to be in the laundry basket. So I took some black oversize T-shirt and gave it to my guest. He said: "Thanks" (his first understandable word), I wanted to start apologizing for the lack of a typical towel and turn everything into a joke, because cotton is cotton regardless of whether it is in the form of a towel or a T-shirt haha, when you arrive, as if nothing had happened, he took off his wet t-shirt, remained half-naked for a few seconds, then put on the one I gave him and hung the wet one on the cold radiator.

It's hard to find words to describe the shock I experienced. I just hope it wasn't too obvious on my face and my blocking was not too obvious.

'I'll make some tea' I said in a voice that - I hoped - didn't sound like I was about to faint. And fall into his arms at the same time.

The serenity of the tea-making activity restored my peace of mind and I took my first look at the boy. He was about my age. Not very tall, but well built (oh good). His small head was surrounded by brown hair, which I immediately thought was too short and badly cut, making his head look square. Light blue eyes were set beneath prominent eyebrows. The kind that immediately creates distance between you. Nice nose and full lips. Full lips...full lips that twitched...full lips that moved...speaking...speaking?!

'Do you live here alone?' It came to me from a distance. Apparently my guest finally decided to take care of the quality of the conversation, which had not existed before. But why the question a murderer would ask thirty seconds before the final attack?

'Uhm, yes' I reply intelligently.

There is silence, this time an awkward one. I hand him the cup.

'Who are you actually waiting for?'

'Friend' he grimaces a little. ‚We have something to do together, but he hasn't shown up all day' I notice that his voice is a little nasal. 'I have no contact with him. We're not close. Joint assignment.'

'Maybe it's not worth waiting for? He could have given up' I ask and he shakes his head.

‚He will definitely show up. This is an important matter.'

I nod. Everyone knows someone like that. But to be a few hours late? And date someone without contacting him? I don't say anything because I don't want to upset him. Even though he looks calm, he definitely feels frustrated.

Then my alarm starts ringing. I run to the phone and hope it's nothing...

'Are you waiting for something too?'

Oh crap. The world is against me today.

'Nothing important' I mumble. 'This is just the beginning of my series' Can you say something more grandmotherly? 'But I absolutely don't have to watch it.'

At my words, he gets up and sits on the couch. I stand where I stood until he looks at me with a silent question: "What are you waiting for?"

I have no choice. I have to turn on the TV.

I got a special power... a voice sings, and Rikki with a tail appears on the screen. Barely alive with shame, I don't have the courage to see his reaction. I also have no words to explain the fact that, at my age, my alarm is set every evening to repeat H2O.

We watch and watch. It's getting later and later, and I feel sleepy. It's been a long time since my eyelids felt so heavy. As I yawn for the thirty-fourth time, my guest speaks up.

'Lie down if you are sleepy. I don't know how long it will be before he shows up.'

Listening to him, my mind is really clouding. I'm sleepy. I'm very sleepy, but I can't sleep, I still have some remnants of the self-preservation instinct.

'Don't be afraid, I won't do anything to you.'

Although this is probably one of the most frequently repeated lies, I believe it and put my head on the pillow completely calmly.

The last thing I see is his dark silhouette against my window.