Demons without Desire

Something is up with him

I yawned loudly and looked towards Gracie who like me was coming to terms with the fact it was morning. I was sat in the kitchen mulling over a bowl of cereal wondering what myself and the little lady could do today. I had housework I knew that much as I took in the kitchen, it wasn't messy or unclean but it could do with a freshen up. I had also noticed a few places in the house could do with a dusting, before it set of Zak's allergies.

"Kibble not that hot huh?" I asked as Gracie too wasn't interested in her food. I pushed the bowl away giving up, picking up my phone I pressed the home button to see a photo of myself and Zak. I still hadn't heard from him making me wonder what the hell was going on.

"What are you doing man?" I asked my phone looking at his picture.

The ticking of the clock was driving me insane so I disposed of the cereal and grabbed out a range of cleaning equipment, I guess all I could do now was tidy and walk Gracie.

As if she knew Gracie was up on her feet.

"Let's take you first. I'm not overly keen on scrubbing carpets."  I spoke causing her tail to wag side to side.

Picking up her leash we headed out to enjoy the morning sun. Since Zak had been away I tried to keep a low profile, especially when I had Gracie. Nobody knew me but plenty of people know Miss Bagans here. From the adorable photos online to the times she has investigated with Zak. He was an animal lover and held an unlimited supply of love for Gracie who he got from the Nevada SPCA shelter. It's just whilst he was away I wanted to remain from being thrown to the wolves. So far nobody knew we were together, of course friends and family knew but not the public. He was very private with his life and has been for some time.

Something I was grateful of. I didn't exactly want death threats from strangers because of my feelings for Zak.

I headed around the community looking at all the houses that were occupied and as biased as it sounded.. I preferred our home more, it was just something about the house that made it different from the rest. Besides it being Zaks, it was just.. Well it was just home.

Doing the lap of the block in which he lived we headed home again with one panting dog who was ready for a drink and most likely a sunbath. I however planned to continue my morning plans of cleaning.

It felt stupid, no I felt stupid as I stood in the lounge...

I guess a part of me expected him to be there, despite him having another 5 days away I expected him to surprise me and Gracie. But like I said. I was stupid.

Tossing my keys on the table I collected the cleaning stuff and headed up to begin. I was going from upstairs down. The rooms he didn't use were simply dusted and hovered before being sealed off again for another couple of days where I would go in, and do the exact same again. Zak wasn't a messy guy, infact he was housetrained fanastically! No beard hair on the edge of the sink, no wet towel left on the floor, no shoes left in the way or even dirty clothes an inch away from the wash basket. He was what I would call perfection in a man. Hell he even put the toilet seat back down and made the bed in the mornings. Sometimes I would still be in the bed as he made it, that was his attempt of getting me up in the mornings but a little suggestion and a show of a leg and his side of the bed was ruined again as he jumped back in and lunged for me.

I wiped the mirror and sighed thinking about him and why he hadn't called. I hoped the lockdown went okay,  but I had to face the possibility that it hadn't and that is why I was on radio silence from him.  It had crossed my mind to get hold of Aaron but then I debated that decision, one because I didn't want to look like I didn't trust Zak, I did... Entirely.

Two because I didn't want to seem needy and desperate, I guess my side of it all told a different story but I had to get used to him being away. As I was going to be.

And three.. If it was effecting Zak there was a good chance it would effect Aaron as he was a magnet for bad energy.

I just had to be patient.

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It was the middle afternoon when the door opened, Gracie lifted her head off my lap and looked to the door.

"Is that Cece?" I asked her as she wagged her tail at the idea. Hopping off me she walked to the lounge entrance before her ears went back and a growl left her.

My whole body went cold as she lowered herself to the floor. She would never growl at Cece.. She has never growled at anyone!

Biting the bullet I armed myself with the TV remote and slipped off the chair making my way to the door slowly. Taking a small breath I shot around the corner and froze seeing Zak stood there looking at Gracie hard.

"Zak?" I questioned wondering why he was back so early and why he was looking the way he was.

His eyes flicked to me and the chicken skin filled every inch of my body, even my scalp as his eyes bored into mine.

"What has happened?" I asked looking at the man I thought was my partner but didn't act like my partner.

"Leave me alone."  He spoke and looked at Gracie who was growling even harder than before.

"Zak. Stop it." I warned stepping forward, he was not going to turn on her without going through me first.

"Stay away from me.." He snarled before walking in the bedroom and slamming the door.  I jumped causing Gracie to also jump beside me. I crouched down and petted her gently until the hair on her back lowered.

"Come on sweetie.." I whispered calling her away from the corridor and out into the warm sun.

Whatever was happening, whatever had happened... He was home but he wasn't right...