Wings

Undecim || Grudges

Much later, when the sun was setting with a golden glow, they were walking to his flat and it was silent. Unnervingly quiet, she worried her lip and risked a glance at Demos but he still looked straight ahead and ignored her. Their careful banter was gone, and in its place was a mystifying awkwardness as they walked two feet apart from each other. In her hands, clasped tightly, was the dress and she constantly ran her fingertips along the delicate lace- her shoes clicking a repetitive beat against the cold asphalt. Her stomach plummeted each time she risked a glance, risked a syllable and was gifted with cold silence. Tears choked her throat, but she held them down- she was not going to cry again today. Especially in front of the same person. Ever since that moment in the shop he had been terse, barely speaking to her and it made her feel simply awful.

Slowly, they dipped their way through many different streets; sometimes stopping to look into shop windows. Eventually, they came across a street that felt familiar and Cassidy found herself paying more attention, noticing that they were in a really good neighborhood.

Soon, they were at his building and she felt herself pause, taking in the decor. The outside of the building was almost all glass, each pane polished to a high shine while white marble encased the flooring of the lobby. It was pretty and extravagant, with a red carpeted entrance and the landlord post set up close to the doors with a dark maple wood desk. There was a small and green potted plant settled on the desk, and she found herself staring at it as she followed him up the stairs.

Swallowing, she pulled the dress closer to her chest- fingers twirling in the fabric again- as he grunted at her to follow him down a corridor. Twisting down many different corridors, she allowed her eyes to wander and thought about how many people must get lost in such a large and vast building. Feet sinking into the plush carpet, she coughed to remove the thick feeling in her throat. Glancing up at him again, she noted he was looking in a complete opposite direction and found herself growing angry.

But before he could address her newfound anger, he was sighing before he stopping in front of a worn door- the numbers, '36' in silver numbering on top.

"Listen, I have a few..." Pausing, she watched on of his eyebrows make themselves known as he struggled for worlds. "Teammates?" He cringed.

"Teammates." Echoing, she crossed her arms- her expression turning sour. Sighing again he rolled his eyes.

"People who, if I needed back up, I could call." Frowning, Cassidy leant forward- her expression puzzled.

"Okay...so what does that mean?" Deadpan, he stared at her and she felt as if his eyes pierced her very core.

She inhaled quickly, and she felt the electric hum that buzzed between them start again. Clearing her throat, she stepped away from him and shook her head- ignoring the way his eyes darkened and he ran a hand down his face.

"It means that they're going to be in that room, Cassidy." Again, her eyebrows popped up.

"I'm not dumb, Demos." Rolling his eyes, a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Could have fooled me." Muttering, he turned back to the door and unlocked it.

The second the door was opened, not only was there screaming, shuffling and people running- it was like the flood gates crashed open and she found herself near a dangerous puppy-pile. Three people had almost crushed Demos, and though the initial flurry of movement had scared her- she found herself chuckling at Demos' squished expression. Before long, they separated and Cassidy was free to stare at the people in front of her.

There were two men and one woman, the first man was dark in skin colour with the most gorgeous blue eyes she had ever seen. He had long black hair that hang in thick tendrils across his broad shoulders, but wore thin wire framed glasses and was of a large and stocky build. A tank type, she thought vaguely. On one of his ears was a small silver cuff, barely noticeable to anyone but because it contrasted so much she found herself fixated on it. Noticing her, he gave a wide grin and she found herself instantly liking him- his whole demeanor that of a plush teddy bear.