An Eye For An Eye

•Chapter 7•

My eyes snapped open.

My phone was vibrating obnoxiously across the countertop, ringing, ringing, ringing, ringing...

I pushed myself up and out of the tub, not even bothering to grab my towel. Water splattered all over the bathroom floor as I lunged for my phone. The alarm had gone off, sending its shrill ring reverberating throughout the tiled bathroom and magnifying the repetitive sound by tenfold. It took a few tries to close the timer because my wet hands kept slipping across the screen, but I finally got it to shut up.

I groped around for my towel, drained the tub, and then padded across the hall to my room. After wrestling on a sweater and some shorts, I walked out into the kitchen. The entire house was quiet. I didn't even hear Chief. If he was in here, he would've already come running out to greet me with his giant slobbery tongue by now. 

I poked my head outside. It was pitch black by now, making it feel like I was standing on the edge of a void.

"Casey?" I called. "Chief?"

Nothing. No response. I was alone. There was no light out there anymore either, which meant no fire. Someone must've put it out. Maybe Casey had gone to the store tonight after all and brought Chief with him.

A low grumble rattled my empty stomach. I still hadn't eaten.

Before I dug through the fridge, I made my way throughout the entire house, dragging my palms along the walls to guide me. I flipped on every light switch I came across, and clicked on the lamps in the living room for good measure.

Casey had left the burgers on a plate in the fridge. Thank god. I went to pull them out, but a knock on the front door made me freeze.

Casey? Why was he knocking? He was the one who had the keys. I rolled my eyes. Maybe he'd forgotten them like he'd forgotten everything else he was supposed to get today.

Before I unlocked the deadbolt, I pressed my ear to the door. "Casey? Is that you?"

There was a pause, and then footsteps creaking slowly across the porch.

"No. It's Maks. We met the other night."

The scratchy baritone of Maks' voice sent a shiver tingling down my spine.

"What do you want?" I ran my hand over the door handle, making sure it was actually locked.

The porch creaked and groaned again. When Maks spoke this time, his voice was right on the other side of the door. The only thing that separated us now was 3 inches of wood and a metal bolt. I had seen Maks' shape. Felt his hands on me. He wasn't a small guy. He could break it if he really wanted to.

"Sorry if I've intruded. I didn't mean to scare you." His voice sounded like it was right in my ear.

I cleared my throat. "Beck isn't here."

"I know. I didn't want to bother him again."

"So you're bothering us?"

"He does a lot for me."

When I didn't speak, he sighed softly, "I was just wondering if it was alright to use the outdoor hose?" He chuckled weakly. "I like my little cabin. She treats me well. Only drawback is she doesn't have running water."

I rested my forehead on the door. Why was I being so paranoid? Beck had treated this guy like a normal neighbor. It didn't matter if he didn't have a nice house, he was person. If Beck trusted him, then I didn't have any reason not to.

I cracked the door slightly and flipped on the porch light, illuminating Maks' towering figure. I concentrated hard where I thought his eyes would be. Now was not the time to seem weak.

"Go ahead. You can use the hose."

Maks backed away from me, perhaps sensing that I didn't want him here. "Thank you. Sorry again to have scared you."

"It's fine. Just be quick. My brother will be home soon." I lied through my teeth.

If Casey had left while I was sleeping, then that meant he'd only been gone for 30 minutes. Or less. It took about half an hour to get to the store from here; add on shopping time and the drive back here, he would be gone for at least another hour.

Maks didn't make any comment, he simply thanked me and his footsteps retreated. They crunched across the grass heading right. The hose spigot was on the corner of the house.

"Sorry, again. For scaring you. I tend to give off that vibe. I don't do it on purpose."

"It's okay."

I leaned back against the doorframe as he turned the hose on. I heard a slapping noise; like skin against something wet. He was splashing his face with water, probably trying to clean himself off.

I bit down on my lip as memories from last night replayed in my head.

"Hey-- Stop!"

Maks' hot breath on my neck, his hand pulling me back from the broken glass I was about to step on.

"Stop."

"Um, wait." I made a split second decision. "Do you want a shower? A real shower?"

"A shower?" Maks asked with surprise. I could tell he was on the verge of another chuckle. "Are you going to let your guard down?"

"Excuse me?" I snapped sharply.

The water shut off. Maks' footsteps crunched back across the lawn and up the porch steps. "You. You're guarding the door."

I was suddenly very aware of my body. I stood in the middle of the doorway, arms crossed and head held high.

"You can use the shower." I stepped to the side. "Just leave your things here."

"Smart girl." Maks let his bag drop to the ground. "That's no problem."

He took a step forward, but I blocked the door again. "Leave everything here."

Maks hesitated a moment. "Of course."

He removed something from his side, near where his hip would be, and set it down by his bag. It sounded like metal. Whatever it was, it wasn't very big.

I hadn't known, of course, whether or not he had put everything down the first time I asked, but since I couldn't see worth a damn, I decided to take extra precautions and ask again. I had purposely sounded suspicious, just so he would know I wasn't about to 'let my guard down'.

Better safe than sorry.

"Do you mind if I bring my razor in? My face could use a trim." There was a small scratching noise. He must've rubbed his hand over his stubble. "It's been a while."

I nodded and finally stepped out of his way. "Go ahead. The bathroom is the first door on the right down the hall."

"Thank you, um--" He paused, waiting for me to say my name.

I only smiled. "Don't mention it." I closed the door behind me. "Be fast though. I don't think my brother will be so welcoming."