I followed him cautiously back to his house. He kept looking back as if he was looking for someone. Someone who would be watching us.
Finally we got there and we stood in front of a large, black door. Ryder smiled to himself enjoying a private joke. He then turned around and smiled at me. Politely he opened the door for me and bowed.
"Ladies, first"
"Ermm...thanks."
Cautiously, I stepped into the house watching intently at every little detail. The house was immaculate, grey French doors which opened up into a small, neat patio full of black roses with thorns and weeds. Although the flowers looked harmful and dangerous they brought serenity to the garden.
Mesmerised by the beauty, I took a few more steps inside. There was a oak bookshelf with thousands upon thousands of books. I turned slowly and saw a large leather sofa, a burgundy mat and many paintings.
The paintings were what shocked me the most they were beautiful. They were very exotic yet dark and mysterious; they all symbolised something different. Death, life, hope, despair.
I took a few more steps forward smiling. I was so surprised that two boys like Ash and Ryder could live in such a house yet still put me in such a dull, unattractive room when the rest of the house was so posh.
"Speechless?"
"Err...umm..." I nodded as I couldn't form proper words.
He smiled at me casually and locked the door.
My face creased with worry. Calmly he walked towards me and put his arm around my shoulder.
"Don't worry, it's only for safety."
"Against who?"
"Don't worry we can talk about it a different time. Sit down"
He pointed at the leather sofa, gracefully I sat down watching him.
"Is water okay?"
"It's great thanks"
Quietly, Ryder exited the room and entered another which I was assuming was the kitchen. He returned quickly with two glasses of water.
"Here you go.." He said while handing me the glass and smiling. "I hope you enjoy, I got clean water."
"Clean water? You mean you normally drink dirty water?"
"Don't forget we can eat or drink anything regardless if it is mouldy or freshly made because it won't effect us- we are already dead!"
"Yeah! I'm dead..." I looked down sadly and put the glass down. "Yeah... I enjoyed our chat but I'll go now."
"Go? Phoebe, I've noticed you tend to leave mysteriously when something goes wrong or you get upset. You just disappear sometimes mentally like going into a world of your own and sometimes you just run away."
"Yeah, yeah I know... but it is easier to avoid the situation and runaway instead of dealing with it."
Dexterously, Ryder came and sat beside me, watching me intently.
"I know, but running away from a situation doesn't always make it go away, see you ran away from me and I'm still here."
"Oh, yeah sorry about that..." I mumbled anxiously.
"It's fine all is forgiven."
A door opened soundlessly and Ash appeared wearing a light vest top and dark blue jeans. He glanced at Ryder and I on the sofa and sighed irritably.
"Hello Buddy!" Jeered Ryder with an enthusiastic grin.
"Ryder!" Ash replied coolly and walked straight to the kitchen leaving the door ajar.
I looked at Ash bewildered, he barely acknowledged my existence. Why did he dislike me so much?
"One second, Ash and I need to talk.."
"Oh okay, I'll just stay here then.."
"Yes, don't go jumping out of any more window's, I want you safe and secure."
"Yes, sir!"
He laughed to himself, walked to the kitchen and closed the door behind him.
Mentally, I listed all the reasons to why I disliked Ash.
1. He was rude.
2. He was aggressive (Probably)
3. He was dangerous. (Very dangerous)
4. He was weird (Extremely)
Ash had a secret something about him which I was going to find out because no normal dead person could read people's minds.
Faintly, the kitchen door creaked open and Ash walked out smirking. Ryder then exited the room behind him.
"I just need to go upstairs and get something, I'll be a few minutes."
"Oh,okay.."
Tacitly, Ryder left the room, taking all the energy and liveliness with him.
The atmosphere was thick and tension rose higher as each second went by.
Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore his dominating glare was making me uncomfortable and I didn't feel safe around him, knowing he could read my thoughts.
"Ash, it is nice to see you again." I smiled at him as sweetly as I could manage.
He raised an eyebrow, gazing at me, watching my movements, watching my thoughts.
"Phoebe, I heard you accuse me of kidnapping you? Am I correct?"
"Well..what I meant was-"
"Am I correct?" His voice raised to a warning tone.
"Sure." I glared back at him, determined not to be intimidated by his odd behaviour.
He smiled deviously as if he was creating a mastermind plot in his mind.
"Hmm..kidnapping isn't my type of thing but there is a first time for everything, right?"
"Humph.." I mumbled. Silently praying for Ryder to return.
"You enjoying your water?"
"Yes, thank you Ash." The words slipped out my mouth baffling me.
His lips slowly turned up into a grin.
"Do you trust me?"
"Nope."
"Smart Girl.."
Abruptly, Ash started walking towards me never losing eye contact.
"We could have some fun Phoebe if you cooperate.."
I snorted. "I don't think your idea of fun and mine are somewhat similar."
"Maybe...maybe not. Don't make assumptions, I don't like it."
"Sure." I raised my eyebrow at him.
"I don't like your attitude!"
"Ha! That's ironic!"
Swiftly, Ash jumped on me, tackled me to the ground and wrapped rope around my arms, legs and mouth in a blink of an eye.
He smiled at me sadly.
"You want kidnapped? Trust me...I'll give you kidnapped!"
