Companion

Chapter 11: Lonely and Afraid

I wake up at ten, guilty that I'm not in school, but grateful that Edge convinced me not to go. I stay under the warm comforter for a few more minutes, then decide to go downstairs for food. I grab a sweater and slippers, then head down.

Edge was right. It's boring around the house. There's nothing to do but homework. Maybe I should do that.

I should definitely do that.

I sit on the piano bench and swing my legs over so my feet are on the pedals. I play.

Homework can wait.

I choose random keys that sound good together. It's sounds really awful, but I don't even care. It's interesting. It's relaxing. It's fun. I play until my fingers ache. When this happens, I get up from the piano and put in a CD. I'm surprised Edge hasn't come down yet. I go upstairs and knock on his bedroom door.

"Edge?" I call. No answer. I press my ear to the door. No sounds. I knock again. I count to ten, then force myself to open the door and go inside.

The bed is made, and obviously Edge is not in it. Despite the neatly made bed with corners tucked neatly under the mattress and pillows symmetrically place across the headboard, his stuff is strewn all over the floor. I'm about to close the door, when a piece of yellow paper on the white comforter catches my eye. At first, I ignore it, shutting the door completely since it's probably none of my business. But curiosity gets the best of me and I reopen the door and carefully venture across the room to the bed, being careful not to move anything the slightest bit just in case. I don't want Edge to find out that I am totally violating his privacy. But apparently he intended for me to do so anyway, because penned on the paper is a note. And it's addressed to me.

Hunter,

If you're reading this, you're probably looking for me. How do I know this? Because I get the feeling that we're very alike. Only I'm smarter. And better looking. Anyway, here's that explanation you're no doubt looking for: I'm at Training probably beating the shit out of someone or else getting the shit beat out of me.

Don't miss me too much.

-Edge

P.S. Get your homework done. I can help you later.

P.P.S. Seriously. Do your work.

I smile. I try not to, but I do. Slipping the note into my pocket, I exit the room more carelessly than I entered, shut the door, and go up to the attic to do my homework.

+++++

It takes three hours of intense willpower and concentration, but I finally finish all of my work. I reward myself with a nice sandwich and lemonade. When I'm finished, I check the clock. Edge should be home any time now. I go upstairs and change into jeans and a sweatshirt.

I go downstairs and raid the pantry for something else to snack on, when I hear the door open. I walk into the living room.

"Edge?" I call. I hear the door slam as I turn the corner into the living room. "Edge? Are you alright?" His eyes look almost glazed over. But I know he sees me. And when he does, he runs at me. I dive to the left, causing him to fall forward, but he recovers quickly and soon he's running after me.

Not quite sure what I'm doing, I run out the door into the yard fumbling with the door handle and trying to slam it shut after me, but Edge is gaining. I've just reached the grass when I feel an arm around my neck. I bring my chin down, but I'm panicking. I grab his arm and thrash back and forth, gasping for air. I finally have the sense to slam my elbow backwards.

The unexpected blow to his gut causes Edge to momentarily loosen his grip. I take this opportunity to yank myself away. I know he's not himself. But I'm not exactly sure who or what he is. But whatever Edge has become, it's intent on killing me.