Learning to Love You

12. Pervy the Investigator

"Thank you. I will turn in the paperwork when I report for duty on Thursday. Goodbye."

Ava ended the call as she informed the airlines about her absence from work. Nathan was in his room, his voice could be heard through the closed door. She wondered if she should call Stacy or Jeremy first. Deciding on Stacy, Ava dialed her number. The call went to voicemail, which meant she was probably busy with a class. Ava missed dancing. She wished she could head to the dance studio right now. Flopping the burner phone on the couch, she huffed.

What was she going to tell Stacy anyway? Why was she calling from a different number? She could just say that she lost it. But Stacy knew her well. Ava did not just lose something. She was not forgetful at all. Another excuse could be that she broke it or it fell down a street drain.

"I hate lying." Talking to herself, she did not realize that Nathan had left his room. His question gave her a jump scare.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Jesus. You scared me."

A chuckle escaped his mouth as he plopped onto the couch beside her. Collecting her thoughts, Ava answered his question.

"I was talking to myself."

"I wonder why you needed a phone so badly if you could just talk to yourself."

"Haha. You should be a comedian." Passing an annoyed glare at him, she continued. "I informed the airlines."

"Good. I found a few people with similar tattoos that you sketched." Nathan placed his arm on the couch's back as he pressed his back into it. He looked content with his work as he relaxed.

"But I can not help you identify anyone. I did not see his face."

Holding his chin, he furrowed his eyebrows. "You can narrow them down further by eliminating the ones that do not match the one you saw."

"Do I have to go to the police station?"

"No. I will show you their pictures when I have them."

"Okay."

"How's the headache?"

"It is gone now."

"That is good." Nathan scratched the back of his head.

Ava turned her head towards him. She tilted her head as he looked at her.

"I would like to go home now."

"I don't think that is safe." Retrieving his arm from the couch's back, he crossed his arms. She bit her lower lip and wondered how to convince him.

"It can take a lot of time to catch the culprit. I can't stay here till then."

"I have installed all the necessary applications on your phone which will help me find you as soon as possible."

"I sense a but..."

"But I still wonder if you would be able to keep yourself safe. We don't know who is behind this and what they want from you. If it is Marcus, he could try to harm you again."

"Then, teach me."

"Teach you what?"

"Self-defense."

"Are you sure you are feeling well enough?"

"Yeah, I am fine."

"Alright," Nathan began, his tone gentle but firm, "the first thing you need to know about self-defense is that it's not about fighting. It's about getting away safely."

Ava nodded, her eyes determined yet weary. "I understand."

"Good. Let's start with some basic stances. A proper stance can help you maintain your balance and make it harder for someone to knock you down." He demonstrated, spreading his feet shoulder-width apart and slightly bending his knees. "Now you try."