Spike #Wattys2016

we may begin

I had never eaten lasagna that fast in my life. Mom said that she would do the dishes since i had worked so hard on dinner, so i ran upstairs for some serious music therapy before bed.
I fly into my room and put my hair into a bun and blast Calvin Harris's Blame.
I pushed my curtains back and opened my window to let in some fresh air and danced. Jumping around my room, i was singing and moving to beat. A few minutes later i had calmed down and sat on my new favorite spot, my window seat. I didn't know why I was dancing, i just was. I was staring out into the yard not trying to think about what i had seen earlier and why it was even there. It was old, like falling apart old. My thoughts were interrupted when i noticed something moving in my back yard. "What the hell is that?"
Slamming my window shut i run down stairs to check the locks on the front and back door again. This was really freaking me out, feeling a panic attack coming on so i jump into the shower  before bed. Doing my daily routine had soothed my nerves when an unwanted thought went through my mind.

"Holy shit!" What if that was Spike? He did disappear into the woods near my house everyday. Uh oh, i felt myself coming up with a stupid plan that could end up with me being put in a hole. I jump out of the shower and put some pajama pants on and a white tank top and run down stairs.

I grab my phone and a flash light and run out the back door, trying to find what was in my yard. I put my phone on silent and turned on the flashlight as i ran through the backyard and into the woods. In my haste to find the creeper, i keep up with the fact that i need to pay attention to whats going on around me. I keep the light low to the ground so i wasn't blinded and i could see since my eyes had gotten used to the dark. I was moving the light all over the ground and i couldn't see anything except for my breath because it was cold and foggy. I kept walking and through my determination i had found my self in front of that stupid cottage. Although this time there was a small light inside so that i could see through a window and my feet brought me forward to see through it. Now i'm highly aware that this is exactly how people die in the movies, but i already had a sinking feeling that i knew who was in here.

Cutting off the light and looking around i slowly and very quietly walk up to the window, careful not to put my face too close so i wouldn't be noticed. I look inside and what i see shatters my heart into a million pieces. Spike sitting on a small bed bed with quilts pulled up in his lap writing or maybe drawing on a piece of paper on top of the blankets in his lap. The room is lit up by a kerosene heater on the floor, and he also had another kerosene lamp on a small wooden desk beside the bed. Careful not to move an inch, i had to suck in the tears that had threatened to roll down my face, like what the hell was this! There was no reason that he should be here, none. I had been thinking about everything that people had said about the murder and there were so many holes that it just didn't make sense, and if he really did kill them why was he still here, why did he act so scared all the time. I had looked up the article on what had happened while i was waiting for mom to get home earlier and there wasn't much there, but i did find out that his parents were killed in MY house. I wonder why the real estate lady forgot to bring that up. The house that this guy used to live in and that's why i figured he would be out here. This place was all he knew and i really don't think he did it, just way too many holes and gaps in the story, too many puzzle pieces scattered, and i also looked up qualities of murder's and he didn't seem to have a single one from what i saw. Not like i actually knew him though.

Turning to leave i tripped on a stupid rock and my hand automatically flew out to break my fall and it landed on the window seal. His gaze flew up to mine and he was up, but so was i. I turned to run, but lost all hope of leaving when he was out the door before i could take five steps and he didn't look happy at all.

"What the hell are you doing here Avery?" I was shaking like a leaf.

"I could ask you the same question Spike, why were you in my yard? I saw you!"

He didn't answer my question he just stood there. "I'll answer your questions Spike, if you answer mine."

Again nothing. He was looking at the ground, i slowly took a step forward and that seemed to get his attention. "Why do you want to be out here with a killer, huh?"

He had a harsh look on his face but he wasn't mad, no he was defensive and there was a difference.

"Well i guess if i was out here with an actual killer then i guess i would be stupid and pretty screwed." The look on his face said it all, he didn't do it. I saw hope and something else, maybe close to awe, but i wasn't sure.

"What did you just say?"

I took another step. "I said i don't think you're a murderer, how about that!"

"How's that Avery, you don't know me." No, but come hell or high water i was going to.

"I know that i don't know you Spike, but i just don't think you did it. I'm also gonna guess that everyone was so quick to point their finger that not one person even cared to pay attention to your face. The eyes are the windows to the soul, and yours are all but bled out."

Speaking of his eyes, they almost popped out of his head with what had just came out of my mouth and i don't feel bad because i just shocked my self. "What's wrong Spike, don't have anything to say?"

"Avery, how can you be so sure?" Well, shit man!

"I don't know, i guess i just really see you when i look at you, and the story's don't even add up. The whole thing sounds like bullshit, but hey i'm just a girl so what do i know!"

He was smiling, like really smiling and he looked totally blown away from what i just threw at him. There was nothing else to say, i had already won. "Okay lady, alright you got me there. You win so just stop yelling at me." He winked and i started to sweat despite the chilly air.

"Where is your jacket, Avery?"

"Oh, i forgot it. I was in such a hurry to figure out what the hell was in my yard i didn't even think about it." He walked over to me and unzipped his hoodie and put it on me.

"There, i don't want you to get sick." I tried not to blush, i really did.

"Thanks. Wow, this is really warm. I didn't even realize how cold it was out here." He nods his head and shuffles his feet.

"You should probably be getting back, i'll walk you?" Yes, Yes this was really happening.

"Okay, i'd like that." We walk back in silence and i couldn't keep the smile off of my face.

"What's got you grinning so much over there, huh?" Oh crap, he caught me.

"Nothing, i'm just glad that you're speaking to me, that's all."

"That make you happy or something?"

"Yeah, it does. You got a problem with that?"

"Nah, but out of curiosity, why's that?"

"Well, that's because were gonna be friends. Great friends." Curiosity my ass.

"Is that right?"

"Yep, well.. unless you don't want to be my friend. I can tell that you have trust issues and i swear on everything that i wont betray that trust, i'll keep you safe. I promise." We had stopped walking and for a second he didn't move and i was scared that he would bolt, but he didn't. Instead he takes my hand slowly and pulls me forward and we keep walking. After a few minutes we reach the tree line and he lets go of my hand and i take off his hoodie. "Thank's for the jacket i was freezing."

"I could tell." Confused as to what he was talking about and i looked down to realize i had forgot to put on a bra and i was wearing a white shirt.

"Oh shit."

"Yeah, it's cool though, shit happens."

"I guess you're right, but thanks for being such a gentleman about it."

"For you lady, always, get in now and goodnight." He reaches forward and plants a soft kiss on my cheek and turns around and walked back home. I run in the back door and re-lock it and run upstairs, thankful that mom didn't notice i was gone, and jumped in the bed. Tonight was good, too good. It was also the first night since the divorce that i forgot about my dad's shirt. Everything was going to be okay.