Incubus

Chapter 14

Everything we say is a story. But nothing we say is just a story

~Anne Fortier

I still had chills the next morning when I woke up to answer the phone. I couldn't get what Hayden had said last night out of my head. I had felt the honesty in what he said, and that's what scared me the most. And Emmalyn calling hadn't made me feel any better, either.

"How did last night go?"

"I don't really want to talk about it, Em."

"Corin, what happened?"

"What part of 'I don't want to talk about it' don't you understand, Emmalyn? Drop it." 

"Whoa. No need to be cranky, I was just curious."

I sighed and rubbed my face. Arguing with Emmalyn was the last thing I wanted to do at the moment. I couldn't put up with her right now. 

"Bye, Emmalyn." I hung up the phone.  

I was in a shitty mood today. I didn't understand why I had enjoyed last night until Hayden had found the need to scare the living daylights out of me by saying something so insanely stupid. And it made me think that maybe he wanted to scare me on purpose so that he could get out of having to see me. Once that thought had implanted itself into my mind, it made me realize that maybe he had second thoughts about getting involved with me. It wouldn't be the first time I'd think him kissing me was only to get something more out of it. Perhaps he didn't want to spend too much time on his latest conquest and decided to stop seeing me before he got too involved. I didn't care what he said to me the other day; they're all charmers who sweet talk girls into liking them. I knew that too well already. 

Grabbing my keys to the apartment, my phone, and in case I became bored I also grabbed a book to read; I decided to leave my apartment. I didn't want to stay locked up inside all day, with those thoughts swirling through my mind. It would drive me crazy. I had to get away from New York for a little while. I had no idea how I would leave; I barely had any money, I didn't have a car, and I had no way to get out of the state without walking on foot. I didn't want to call Emmalyn for a ride like I usually would, so I wasn't left with many options- aside from the fact that I now knew that as soon as I could, I would buy myself a car. 

I hated being in positions like this. I wouldn't risk hitch-hiking, not in New York, when I was a young woman and all alone. You never knew what kind of people were looking for an opportunity to take advantage of someone like me. I was small, but I knew if someone ever did try to grab me I'd fight back as hard as I could. 

I wracked my brains to try and think if I knew anyone in the area on whom I could rely. I unlocked my phone and scrolled down my contacts list, perusing through the familiar names. 

Emmalyn, my mother, my father, Hayden's unknown number, River-

My finger hovered over his name. I knew that his number was inactive, and I had no way of contacting him, but I wished I could hear his voice. I hadn't spoken to my brother in years and knew that it was partly my fault. 

I kept scrolling, and then I saw it. Matthias. I hadn't spoken to him in years; I didn't even know if he was still in New York. But I could take a chance, see if he'd help me get anywhere. I dialed the number I'd memorized four years ago, hoping it was still the number he used today. Perhaps today wasn't going to be the worst day, after all.