Zugzwang

Chapter 14

        I stood frozen at the doorway dripping onto the mat. Nick stood up and smiled. I looked at Scott who was walking inside to get me a change of clothes.

        “Why are you wet?” Nick walked over to me and chuckled a little.

        “It’s raining outside.” I pointed out the door without moving my feet.

        Nick moved me a step forward and shut the front door. “You’re going to end up getting sick.” He took the towel I had wrapped around my shoulders and placed it on the couch. When I sat down on the couch, the cold finally hit me. It felt like I was wearing my bra and panties while lying in the snow.

        “I never get sick.” I shivered and hugged myself. Nick took off my shoes and put them by the door. He went to take off my socks but I shook my head. “I can do it myself.” I said quietly. Scott came downstairs and tossed me at me new clothes. I quickly stood up and walked to the bathroom.

        Putting on the warm dry clothes was the best feeling. I put my hair in a dry towel and walked back outside. Scott had given me black sweats and a sweatshirt. When I walked back to the living room, Scott and Nick were whispering. When they saw me, they quickly stopped talking and Scott walked upstairs without saying anything.

        “What was that about?” I slowly walked towards Nick. He handed me a plastic bag to put my clothes in.

        “We were just talking about you.” He smiled and took the now wet bag and placed it on the coffee table.

        “What about me?” I looked at him confused. Why did they have to talk about me? Why can’t they talk about the weather or sports?

        Nick sat down on the couch and patted the cushion beside him. I sat down at the other side of the couch. He sighed lightly. “I wanted to talk to him about you being protected. I talked to him about Matt and Hunter.” I stared to zone out looking into Nick’s brown eyes. They looked so serious. “Are you listening?” Nick was waving his hand in front of my face.

        “Of course.” I said.

        “Then answer my question.” He said with a small smirk on his face.

        I scratched the back of my head. “Okay, maybe I wasn’t listening.” I heard a small chuckle escape his lips.

        “As I was saying, I talked with the guys and they agreed that you and Scott should have a person protecting you at all times except for when you’re at school.”

        “Is it going to be you?” I asked. Scott and I are fine on our own and we don’t need someone to look over our shoulders every second.

        Nick shook his head. “No, they do not want someone with a biased set of mind to watch you both. Considering I would kill to keep the both of you safe, I am not allowed.” There he goes, talking all proper.

        “Well, who’s it going to be?” Not only do I not want to be watched, I don’t want to be watched by a stranger.

        “They are deciding tonight.”

        “Well I don’t want anyone watching over my every move, Nick.”  I crossed my arms.

        “It will only be until we feel you and your brother are safe.” Nick took a step closer to me.

        “And how long is that going to be?” I demanded.

        Nick sighed and whispered uncertainly, “I don’t know. But honestly, I hope it’s for a while.” I can understand how he could want to keep Scott and me safe but it could be him who watches us, not some stranger we don’t know.