Fatal Attractions

Chapter Nine

     "You're awake," Alex breathed, straightening up on the bed.

     "You were talking about my father," I said, ignoring his previous statement. He licked his lips and looked nervous before shaking his head.

     "How are you feeling?"

     "Don't try to change the subject, you were talking about my father," I repeated. He blinked at me and parted his lips slightly before speaking again.

     "No, I don't know what you're talking about. It must be the medication, I was told you might feel a bit disoriented once you woke up," he said, breaking eye contact with me. I sat up in the bed and looked down at the back of my right hand, which had an IV taped to it.

     "What are you drugging me with now?" I asked, tearing the IV and pulse meter off my hand. He looked at me warily and sighed.

     "Just some fluids, Lena. I told you, if you blacked out again, you'd need to go to a hospital," he responded, and I looked around me. It didn't look like a hospital to me. The room looked exactly the same as the previous bedroom I was in, except for everything in this room was white, there were no windows, there was a heart monitor by my bedside and a sink in the corner, and the room was lit by bright fluorescent lights.

     "Is that where we are? Who was that woman?" I asked, and he furrowed his brows.

     "Who, Grace? How long have you been awake?" he asked, looking down at me.

     "I'll answer your question if you answer mine," I responded, and he pursed his lips again.

     "What question?" he asked.

     "You were talking about my father, weren't you?" I asked, but he just continued to look at me.

     "Weren't you?" I repeated, and I felt my eyes begin to sting again. Before I knew it, my vision was once again being blurred by tears. I felt one escape down my cheek and I swiftly wiped it with the back of my hand.

     "Tell me right now, Alex. I have the right to know, were you talking about my-"

     "Yes," he interjected. I sat silent and looked at him before he spoke again.

     "Yes, Lena. I was talking about your father. I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell you like this. I had it planned for another time," he breathed, and I felt more tears escape.

     "What are you talking about? Tell me what?" I questioned, and I felt my stomach twist in knots. Whatever he was about to tell me, I knew I wouldn't like it.

     "I was there when your father died. I saw it, I was only yards away," he said, and confusion washed over me.

     "What? That was in Oregon, what are you talking about? That's impossible, you live here, you live here in Washington. The accident happened in Oregon. I don't believe you," I sobbed, shaking my head. I knew for a fact what he was saying wasn't true. It just wasn't possible.

     "Believe me, Lena. I'm telling the truth," he continued. "I was sent to prevent the accident, but I was too late. I'm so sorry, Lena," his jaw tightened as he whispered those last words.

     "You're crazy," I mumbled, feeling a tear collect at my chin. "You're-"

     "No," Alex said, swiftly placing his hand over my mouth. "I understand this is difficult to take it, but do not call me that word." I looked up at his face and saw more fury. I placed my hand over his and slowly pulled it away from my mouth.

     "Why do you get so angry when I call you that?" I asked, feeling another tear slip away.

     "It's none of your business," he said, giving me a look that made my heart tighten. It seemed like the Alex I knew just earlier that day was gone. Or the previous day. In fact, how long had I been here?