Fear and Loving

Chapter 7: Back to hell

The next day, I awoke still numb; and not just my emotions. I had completely blocked out everything. Today would be interesting. I showered and dressed on autopilot not really caring about my appearance. Before I knew it I was sitting in my car in the parking garage.

"Let's get this over with." I said into the rearview mirror, making sure my blank expression was firmly in place.
Inside I ignored all the good mornings until they eventually stopped. I got his coffee as usual and knocked on his office door. He didn't answer. I waited a moment and then raised my hand to knock again. Before I could, the door was opened; there stood Argos in all his glory. He was himself, no glowing eyes just a smile that seemed out of place. I waited for him to move aside and let me in which he did rather slowly. He probably expected some kind of greeting. I set his coffee on his desk and read his schedule to him from my ipad. And then I headed toward my own desk next door. He grabbed my wrist to stop me and it throbbed painfully. I looked at it noting the bruise barely peeking from under the long sleeve of my shirt. Well, I see he can definitely do damage to me in my dreams. I waited for Argos to either say something or let me go. I turned my attention from my wrist to his face and stared blankly. What do you want?
He sighed loudly dropping my wrist and pulling me into a hug. This would hurt if I was being more aware of my body. I waited for him to release me so I could get to work, instead he leaned down and ran his nose over my neck inhaling deeply. My disgust and annoyance was only thinly veiled by the cold numbness. I didn't move or say anything, just waited.

"Ever, I don't like being away from you. I was up all night fighting the urge to search the city." He whispered against my neck.

I didn't respond.

"I want you to move in with me."
The narrowing of my eyes was the most expressive I'd been since leaving the hospital. I remained silent and waited for him to get off me.
He finally let go, and looked at me waiting for a reply. Instead I turned on my heel and went to my office.
The nerve of him. I would never. Is it not enough that I have to see him here every single day? I was so angry I felt like I had a fever. I was burning up. I wasn't in any pain though and I wasn't sweating. It must be some kind of side effect of being connected to him. I tried to ignore it and get back to work. A few hours later I was still pissed and still very hot. I  managed to get a substantial amount of work done inspite of my anger and weirdly high body temperature. I checked the time. It was 2pm, Argos was in a meeting. It was the perfect time for me to go home. I cleaned up my office a bit and locked up then headed down to my car. I was almost out the door when a hand grabbed my arm and then immediately let go. I turned to see Argos looking back and forth between me and his hand.

"You burned me!" He accused.
I just shook my head and continued on my way. While I was happy this meant he would keep his hands to himself, I was also annoyed this hadn't happened before when I actually needed protection from him.
I got into my car planning to shower and go straight to bed when I got home.