Blood Red Blindfold

Chapter 2

I pull away from Josh's arms. He smiles at me sweetly.

"I'm going to take a shower. You can finish eating and make yourself at home," I say, turning to go. He follows me around the island and plops down on the stool.

He starts to dig into the omelet. He grins at me. Shaking my head, I walk through the living room and into the hall. I jog up the steps. I had slept in the guest bedroom last night, being too lazy to walk up the stairs.

At the top, I turn left and walk into the master bedroom. I grab some jeans and a Tshirt, because the autumn weather isn't too chilly. I turn the hot water on and undress.

I hop in and let the water tumble over me. Quickly, I do my thing, not wanting Josh to have to wait for me. I towel off and throw on my clothes. I pause and look at myself in the mirror. I actually look happy. Messily, I throw my hair into a pony tail.

I walk back through my room and slowly descend the stairs. I skip through the living room and back into the kitchen. Josh's plate sits empty in the sink, but he isn't there.

"Josh?" I call. He doesn't reply. I circle through my house and into the main hall. "Josh?" I call louder this time. Did he leave already? He didn't even come up and say goodbye.

A small shifting noise comes from the living room. I slowly walk to the entrance of the room. I hear a faint click and music starts to play softly thought the speakers of my radio.

I round the corner into the room, and Josh appears in front of me. He gives me a big grin and sticks out his hand.

"May I have this dance?" He asks.

I giggle and take his hand. He's so silly and stupid, but he's my best friend. And my only friend.

He slowly steps into the heart of the room, dragging me with him. We spin in slow circles, barely moving. He dips me over his arm, and then brings me up, swinging to the other side. His arm swings me back into the right position, where we circle again. Then he spins me, and I end up falling onto the couch, laughing.

He plops down beside me and holds me in his arms. "I really did miss you," he says. "It's been over a month."

"I know," I mutter. "It's been too long. I should have brought my best friend with me."

He smiles and shifts, laying longways on the couch. He pulls me into him, and we lay together, my back nestled into his front.

I feel his hot breath in my ear. "Hailey," he whispers. "Tell me what happened."

I gulp audibly.

"Did you find them?"

His chin rests over my head, cradling it in the crook of his neck.

"No," I manage to whisper. Tears sting my eyes. "I searched everywhere. Only one person knew the last name."

His voice is full if concern. "What did the person say?"

I close my eyes, remembering the foreign man's facial features. "He said that they left one day, the wife being pregnant. Then when they came back, she wasn't anymore, and there wasn't a baby."

"Oh god."

"But that wasn't it. He said that a week later, they left their home. He said the wife was screaming a little girl's name, but that the husband dragged her away from their home. They had to move for reasons the foreign man didn't know. But they couldn't be in the Philippines anymore. They left on a boat," I finish.

The room lapses into silence. A clock slowly ticks on the wall.

After a minute, Josh speaks. "You aren't going anywhere without me again. That must have been traumatic."

I nod. I wasn't going anywhere again. I was staying in the comforts of my own home and I would have everything I needed delivered to my house. The world is to scary and dangerous for me.

"Let's watch a movie," Josh suggests. I know he's trying to get my mind off the Philippines. I allow him to.

He clicks on the TV and holds me closer. Soon the late morning turns into dusk. We had watched movies continuously.

"I'll make dinner," I say, getting off the couch and walking into the kitchen. Josh follows, hungry like he always is.

"Move," he says with force as I go to open the fridge. I look at him confused.

He grabs me by the waist and places me on the high stool. "Stay there," he commands. "Tonight, I make dinner."

I laugh, but he actually makes a good meal. He cooks us some chicken and mashed potatoes. I scarf it down quickly, having not had anything to eat at all that day. The oven clock reads 9:00.

"There's no way that it's already that late," I say, staring at the time.

Josh laughs. "Are you tired?" He asks.

I start to shake my head no when I yawn. I curse myself silently. "Are you leaving?" I ask, frowning.

He grins. "I planned on using your guest bedroom. I scoped it out when you were in the shower."

I smile. "Well, I should hit the sack."

"I'm following you," he replies.

I lead him into the guest bedroom. "Goodnight," I say, smiling.

"Goodnight Hail. Don't cause a storm before you wake me up in the morning." Josh laughs and hugs me goodnight.

I walk up to my room and collapse on my bed. I'm warn out for no reason. I don't even take off my jeans. I just pull the covers over myself and close my eyes.