Deeply Red

Dinner with Darrel.

(Amy's POV)

I'm sitting at the dining room table on the opposite end of the two men sitting in front of me. Pots, pans, fresh roses, and plates full of food between us.

"Amy, this is Darrel my adopted brother," Travis introduces the man sitting next to him with a smile. Darrel glances up at me from his plate awkwardly before returning his attention back to his mashed potatoes.

"Hi," I reply shortly.

"He made us this wonderful meal tonight, he does so every couple weeks as a way to pay me for letting him live in his shack here on my property. Of course, I won't complain he could have definitely gone into culinary school had he not become a fugitive," Travis goes on. This brings little reaction from Darrel as he lifts his fork to his mouth.

Oh, so THAT'S why he wouldn't help me. What a fucked-up family. I look down at the slice of meatloaf on my plate, contemplating on what to say.

"That's very nice, thank you Darrel," I take a bite of the meatloaf, and plaster a small smile on my face. "Mm, very good"

We eat in silence for a while only the sound of cutlery on plates, and the soft sound of music coming from another room can be heard. I can feel his eyes on me as I eat, I try my hardest to just appear to be daydreaming whilst I eat as much as I can. It's true though, this food is pretty delicious the mac 'n cheese is very creamy, and was baked to perfection. The green beans are seasoned beautifully, the meatloaf is perfect, and paired amazingly with the mashed potatoes. If it wasn't for being stuck in here with these two criminals, I might've actually been able to enjoy this.

"Well, I'm finished. Will both of you set your plates in the sink when you're done? You can do the dishes later," Travis says placing a hand on his brothers shoulder before getting up with his plate, and walking out of the dining room.

I look over at Darrel who lets out a soft but noticeable breath. I raise my eyebrow at him questionably, he looks at me, and lifts his hands slightly from under the table wagging a little 'no'. Then he points at the upper corner of the room behind me trying to be discreet. So I take a butter knife next to me trying to use it to see what he's pointing at in its reflection.  A camera.

I look back at him just in time to see him stand, and walk out of the room. Leaving me alone. I take this moment to look around the room trying to not look suspicious. It's a decent dining room, meaning I wouldn't necessarily think these two men decided to take up interior design. The wallpaper is a deep maroon. With a faint rose decal which was tied in beautifully into the woodwork around the room. My eyes land on a family portrait on the wall next to me.

There in the picture stands a stunning woman with beautiful blonde hair in a very flattering dress. Her hands are resting on the shoulders of a small boy with wildly curly red hair. That must be Darrel. Next to the woman, standing much taller than her was a very Handsome man with brown hair, and the most striking blue eyes. The lack of a smile stands out cold against his wife's big, beautiful smile. His hand lays on the shoulder of a young man almost the same height as the mother. I recognize Travis immediately, a smug smirk on his lips, and the hazel eyes I once thought stunning. Now I wish I could gouge them out, at that thought the sound of a footstep from the doorway grabs my attention.

"Hey, are you about done eating? We are all set up in the living room," Travis asks standing by the door.

"Yeah sure," I say standing from my chair. I grab my plate, and follow him into a kitchen. The sight of the décor almost made me giggle. From the humorous appearance of a fugitive, and a murder living in a house with an apple themed kitchen. Am I hallucinating?