Guardian [Completed]

Nineteen (Devina)

Upon waking, I felt something was off. My senses came to me slowly but I quickly realized I was alone in my bed.

Josh.

I sprang out of bed, immediately noticing the emptiness of the bathroom. My feet were on autopilot as they quickly carried me to the door, which I wrenched open. My heart was beating quickly as I stepped into the hall.

A light in my peripheral vision brought my attention to my right. The library door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open and found Josh sitting in one of the plush chairs, reading.

I exhaled loudly through my nose.

“Are you okay," he asked once he took in my disheveled state.

“Yeah. I know we’re safe but I’m still scared I’ll lose you again and when you weren’t there when I awoke, I panicked,” I replied.

“I’m sorry,” he said, barely above a whisper.

“It’s okay,” I replied just as softly.

I turned and left the room. I headed down the stairs and to the kitchen so I could make breakfast.

I just wanted to be alone. I was home in my apartment in Germany -- finally -- and I just wanted to enjoy it by myself. I wanted to go to my favorite spa and get a massage. I wanted to sit at my favorite cafe and read with a large mug of tea. I wanted to just exist like I used to.

I wondered if I could convince Thomas to stay with Josh so I could have a day to myself.

My mind was elsewhere, as it so often was these days, so I didn’t notice the knife I was using to cut fruit was aiming for my finger. It sliced into my skin but I reacted before it could do any major damage.

I cursed loudly in German.

Footfalls could be heard overhead and down the stairs as I fetched my first aid kit.

Josh rushed into the kitchen.

“What happened?”

“I just cut my finger while slicing fruit. I’m fine.”

“Let me see it.”

“Josh, I’m fine.”

“Please?”

His eyes had a pleading to them and it was obvious he was genuinely worried. It irritated me. I dealt with worse than this at work. I could take care of myself.

I pursed my lips and held up my hand. He gently took my middle finger in his hand and looked over the tiny wound.

“You’ll be okay. Just need to put pressure on it to stop the bleeding. And maybe some Neosporin.”

I stared at him.

Thank you, Captain Obvious, I wanted to say, but kept quiet because I knew he was just trying to help.

I took my hand from his and went back to working with my first aid kit.

“Let me help you,” Josh said.

And that was enough.

“Josh, honey, as much as I appreciate your worry, I’ve been certified in first aid since I was sixteen. I got it.”

“Well, excuse me.”

His tone was only somewhat spiteful.

“I’m not trying to be mean.”

He didn’t say anything.

After I patched up my finger, I went back to preparing breakfast. There was an awkward silence between us until I heard my phone ringing upstairs.

I bolted up to my room to catch it before it went to voicemail. It was Thomas.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Finley. Good news.”

“What’s that?”

“We have detained the hitman and all known associates and you are all clear to return your subject to his home in Kentucky.”

I was silent. I had been waiting for this for a long time and now that it was here I didn’t know how to react.

“Finley?”

“Yeah, umm... that’s great. When do we leave?”

“We can have you on a flight tonight.”

Tonight? But we had just gotten here.

Ever in tune with my feelings, Thomas said, “We can put you on a flight tomorrow so you can have one last day here.”

“Okay,” my voice was just a whisper.

I could feel a tear roll down my cheek.

“It’s only another year, Dev. Then we will be home.”

“I know.”

“Okay... I’ll send the flight information later.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

I tried to look on the bright side. When I got back to Indiana I would be packing up to move back to DC. I wouldn’t have to be in hiding anymore.

But I wouldn’t be home.

With a sigh, I wiped my eyes and returned to the kitchen.

“What’s up?” Josh asked.

“That was Thomas. We’re flying back stateside tomorrow. We’re all clear.”

“REALLY?!”

Josh jumped up from his seat as I went back to finishing breakfast.

“I’m really going home?!”

“Mmhmm,” I said offhandedly.

“Well, aren’t you excited?”

“No,” I said bluntly. “Why should I be?”

Josh was quiet.

“To take you home I have to leave my home. Again. For another year.”

“I’m sorry.”

I had to remind myself this was what I signed up for. This was my job.

But sometimes it hurt so bad.

After I finished making breakfast, I took my plate up to the library to eat by myself. Seemed like a perfect segue to that day to myself I was wanting.