New Enemy or Old Lover (Final book in the "Love or Lust" trilogy)

Chapter 21:

My nose twitched slightly. My fingers grasped at the old sheets, and I grumbled softly to myself. My head was pounding hard, and I felt my heart beating steadily.

My eyes fluttered open slowly, taking in the dim lighting of the musty room. I rolled my eyes, remembering the crummy motel we were in. Slowly, I sat myself up, hissing in pain as it shot up my neck.

"Dammit," I mumbled groggily, rubbing the side of my neck. It's so stiff from this damn cinder block they call a mattress.

I craned my neck slowly to the side, looking around the room. It wasn't too bad, but it also wasn't too nice. The door was painted a dull red with cracks all along it, and the wallpaper was tearing at the edges.

My eyes travelled around, taking in the old broken down door that hadn't been tended to in ages. I frowned, wishing they'd do something with this place. My eyes trailed down next to me, taking in no sight of a sleeping Andy.

I looked over to the next bed; no Behemoth? I looked all over the room, finding myself completely alone. I shrugged my shoulders and swung my legs over the bed, pushing myself to my feet. I rummaged through the bedside cabinet, sliding out a dirty towel.

I scrunched my nose but moved on into the small bathroom. Bright white lights illuminated the cramped bathroom, and I squinted slightly. Setting my towel down on the white tiled countertop, I reached into the shower curtain, pulling it open.

"Yeck!" I screeched, watching as the small roaches ran around anxiously, desperate to get out of my view. I slammed my hand against the wall, crushing the small bugs. I shuddered in disgust and reached over to the knob. I tried twisting it; no luck. I tried again; nothing.

Frustrated, I grabbed it with both hands and tugged hard. With lots of resistance, it finally twisted, releasing the water onto my feet. Huffing, I stepped out and got undressed.

My shirt slid off of my chest, and I unhooked my bra as I shook my pants off. Sliding my underwear off from my ankles, I slipped into the semi warm shower. The water beaded out of the small shower head, and I to scooch closer to feel a more powerful blast from the weak jet.

The water washed over me, sweeping away the grime of the last two days. The grim that included both down here in Hell and up above on Earth. I looked down through the water, watching as the now brownish tinted water washed away into the drainage. Rinsing my hair under the water, I reached into the small basket of toiletries that hung off the shower head.

Rummaging through, I grabbed the small bottle of shampoo. I dug my hand deeper, finding an old bar of soap but no conditioner. Sighing, I scrubbed through my hair, holding my breath as I got a whiff of the old stench. It smelt of an old ladies perfume, and it always gave me headaches. The water slowly dropped a few degrees in temperature, and I shuddered.

I quickly scrubbed away at my skin and then shut the water off immediately. I shivered slightly-it was so cold. Then it hit me, "God dammit." I muttered to myself angrily. I had forgotten the towel on the countertop.

Cursing under my breath, I swung the curtain open, only to let out a scream as I stumbled back into the wall of the shower. I slid the curtain over my body, wrapping it around as I yelled angrily, "Andy!"

Andy smirked, leaning on the countertop. His hands slid out of his front pockets, up to his head as he said slyly, "I was wondering where you were. Guess I found you."

"Yeah, you did, and you also gave me a slight heart attack," My voice was laced with irritation, and he noticed. His smirk faded to a smile as he walked up to me, running his hands through the curtain. I shivered at his touch before warming into it. He leaned in closer, removing the curtain from my hands, exposing my body.