Collide Invisible Lips (KELLIC)

Chapter 4

By my sixth day in the attic, I was already going stir crazy. I had no idea how Vic managed to stay cooped up in here for so long without losing his mind. He never wanted to talk or do anything with me, so I spent most of the time straightening up the mess, occasionally reading books I found or trying to show Vic some of the more eccentric things. He hardly even acknowledged me. I still slept a little bit, and that was almost a relief from Vic just ignoring every attempt I made to befriend him. He would spend hours sitting on the edge of the bed, staring blankly out the window that I insisted we keep open now. He looked so sad that all I wanted to do was comfort him, but if I asked what was wrong, he would snap at me and threaten to send me to the basement to hide with Craig instead. I was beginning to think that Craig's drug cave was preferable to this.

"Do you want to play with the cards I found yesterday? Solitaire is getting pretty boring," I requested a little desperately. I was bored out of my skull.

"No."

"We could play 20 Questions then, or I Spy-"

"No."

"Don't you want to-"

"No." I was growing agitated. I'd done everything I could to be a good roommate and make everything nice for him, but he would hardly give me the time of day.

"Why not?" I finally questioned. Vic paused before answering, surprised at my diligence. Lately I just shut up and let him be.

"I don't want to," he finally said.

"Have you ever tried to play a game with someone here though?"

"No."

"Then how do you know you won't like it?"

"Because I don't like anybody here," he said coldly. I felt a small pang at his words, but I suppressed it.

"What about Matty? I thought you used to be friends with him," I pointed out. Vic looked up at me sharply.

"Where did you hear that?" he demanded.

"Alysha told me." Vic scoffed at my words.

"Like she would know. She wasn't even here then, and she's too depressed to pay attention to shit that goes on around here."

"Don't talk about her that way," I argued, offended by his brutality.

"Whatever. Yes, I was acquainted with Matty for a while when I first got here. But I realized that I was better off on my own," Vic insisted stubbornly.

"Why? Because Jaime came here?" I challenged. In a flash, Vic was across the floor throwing me back against the wall of the attic. I felt the air leave my chest, and he wrapped one strong hand around my throat.

"Don't say shit you know nothing about!" Vic shouted, squeezing tighter. It didn't really affect my breathing, but I was terrified.

"What did he do to you?" I whispered. Vic slammed my head back again, and a chunk of plaster fell from the top of the wall at my impact. It didn't hurt for more than a second, but his aggression was raw and uncontrollable.

"It's none of your damn business!" he yelled. I defiantly looked him straight in the eye, putting all of my effort into not flinching. Vic was breathing heavy with adrenaline and fury. A look of abrupt realization crossed over his face and he let me go. I landed hard on my feet..

"I can touch you now," he murmured incredulously. I'd been too worried about him spontaneously snapping my neck to notice the change in dynamics.

"Oh yeah. I guess I've been here long enough to adjust," I replied, my voice the slightest bit hoarse. Slowly, Vic reached a hand out to me again. His slightly calloused fingertips brushed against my cheek. I held my breath as he ran his fingers down my jawline, exploring my features with a surprising tenderness. He was standing so close to me, his eyes locked on me and only me. It was then that I realized he wore a wedding ring as the cool metal touched my skin.