His Jaguar Tattoo

People Have To Die. Sometimes.

Zuri stretched out on her bed to take a little nap. It had been one of those days that just dragged on forever and forever, so she was hoping to get some shuteye before knocking out the rest of her homework. Naturally, just as her eyes shut, someone rang the doorbell. Her eyes reeled open. Someone was interrupting her nap. Murder became a real possibility.

Groaning, she forced herself out of bed and down the hall. Who would even be here this late? As she passed the kitchen on the way to the front door, she caught the time. The microwave clock read five-thirty. Zuri forced her tired scowl to submit to an almost pleasant smile before unlocking the door and pulling it open.

She almost pooped her favorite blue sweatpants.

"Zuri, hey." A tall, skinny brunette was leaning against the porch column. His black beard was gone, making him look like a completely different person. "I heard you came back and just wanted to say hi."

Swallowing down the surprise, her mind ran through a thousand different ways to handle this. Kevin was acting innocent. Like he didn't think she knew about his plan to burn her alive. Too bad she did and saw right through that phony grin. She figured it would be safer to play dumb.

"Well, it was nice of you to stop by," she told him, "but I'm actually a little busy right now."

"Really? You look like you just woke up from a nap."

Her mouth parted in shock at his rudeness. "I am tired, but I still have a lot to do."

"Can't you take a little break? For me?" he pleaded, flashing her another slick smile. "I thought we connected so well at the party. It would just be a shame to let that go."

I would gladly let it go, she thought to herself. Despite the urge to slam the door in his face, Zuri dug deep inside of her to find a sliver of composure. She had to play nice. He was probably coming back to finish the job that he'd just barely failed. How could she escape this situation?

"Aren't you gonna invite me in?"

"I..." She wished her grandmother hadn't left an hour prior to visit her sister in the city. Now she would be completely alone with this psycho. "I guess. But, Kevin, you really can't stay long. I have a lot of crap to do."

"Alright, alright," he surrendered, palms raised.

Stepping aside, she permitted him entrance into the small house. His eyes studied the small foyer and even plainer living room. Zuri led the way into the kitchen and gestured for him to sit at the table. Kevin pretended he didn't notice as he moved his way into the narrow space between the fridge and sink.

"You live with your grandma, don't you?" he asked.

She nibbled on her cheek, watching him with perfect caution. "Yes."

"Where is she?"

"Um...she went to visit her sister. She'll be back tomorrow morning."

"I see." Kevin's fingers inched across the counter towards the knife block.

So that's how he's going to do it? Stab me to death? How romantic. Even her jesting didn't take away the panicky feeling building in her chest. She wasn't sure how to handle this.

"Can I ask you something?" Zuri whispered, hardly brave enough to meet his gaze.

"Of course."

"Why?" She'd intended to say more, but her throated constricted and kept any more words from choking out.

He quirked a single brow. "Why what?"

"Why'd you d-do it? Try to b-blow me up?"

"What're you talking about?" A purely innocent look crossed his face.