Hellcat

Chapter Twenty

I threw the gun in the river. I kept away from the docks because I knew that was where someone would look first – if anyone did look. Plus, there was security at the docks. Here, next to a random chunk of shoreline, there were no cameras. There was no way of getting proof of what Karen had done. There was no proof that I was an accomplice, tampering with evidence by tossing away the murder weapon. I worried about Karen all night. While she had the balls to do it, I knew she couldn't compartmentalize the murder like I could. I had been forced to deal with it many, many times before. As far as I knew, this was her first kill. I hoped that it was her only, and would remain that way.

I stayed home all of the next day and night. I didn't know where to go, who to see – or if I even wanted to see anyone. It was the next day before I realized I needed to actually eat something. My fridge was empty – and I mean literally. Other than some ketchup and an over-ripe banana, I was looking at white walls. Sighing to myself, I got dressed and went to the grocery store. I even managed to run a few more errands when my phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered, not bothering to check caller ID. "Uh, hey, Allison," Karen greeted, her voice uncertain and strained. "Hey, what's up?" I asked her. "Nothing. I-I was just wondering if you were coming in to the office today," she muttered nervously. I hesitated, asking myself that same question. "Please. No one else is here and I'm not liking being alone right now," she said before I even had time to answer.

Sighing, I glanced around. "Yeah, I'll be there. I just have to drop off my groceries. Shouldn't be more than a half hour," I said. Even though I knew she couldn't see me, I smiled for her sake rather than mine. "How are you after... the other night?" I asked, striking up a new conversation. I had a feeling Karen didn't want to be alone. Even a phone call made her feel better. "I, uh... I'm okay, actually," she told me. But her voice shook. She wasn't okay.

"I'm really glad to know you're lying. Because if you were really okay, you'd probably be a psychopath," I informed her as I made it to my building. Moving up the stairs, I listened as Karen sighed heavily. "Okay, you're right. But you're fine with this stuff. Does that make you a psychopath?" she asked. A rough, loud laugh escaped my throat. "Probably. But at least I have my nightmares to remind me that I have a soul – good or bad," I explained to her. Digging into my purse for my keys, I heard her laugh.

Then a silence filled the line. "You have them too?" she asked me, her voice suddenly small and tired. My own wry smirk fell. "I can't stop thinking about it. I can't stop feeling uneasy, everywhere I go," she whispered, fear in her voice. "Karen, listen to me very carefully," I said, pausing with my key in the lock. "You are safe. As long as I am your friend, you are safe," I told her, speaking firmly. I heard a sniffle from the other end.

"But you can't follow me everywhere I go, and I don't want to be a burden on you," she replied. I could hear the tears she was holding back. My chest ached and my voice softened when I spoke again. "You are not a burden. You are my friend – probably the only friend I have left," I told her. "What about Matt?" she questioned suddenly. "Matt and I... we had a bit of a falling out. I'll explain more when I get to the office. But, if you want, I can teach you how to fight. I can teach you to keep yourself safe – even though you're already a little badass," I added with a tiny smile. She sniffled and I let her take a moment to compose herself. "Thanks, Allison. I mean it," she assured me. My smile grew and I nodded to myself. "I'll see you in a little bit, okay?" I replied softly. "Yeah. See you soon," she replied before hanging up.

Sighing, I felt my smile slip away before I shoved into my apartment. I quickly packed my groceries away before throwing on a nicer blouse and some heels. When I left my apartment once more, I thought I felt eyes on me – like someone too far away was watching. My heart skipped a beat as I thought, maybe not eyes per say. But a focus so intense that it felt like eyes. But I knew I had to be crazy. Why would he be watching me? Why would he want to be anywhere near me after the other night.