I was rendered to a state of absolute weakness under his hard stare. His eyes daggered into me, making my whole body shut down. Like some kind of spell, he had control over me but he didn't even know it. I couldn't function when he looked at me like that. My breath hitched, my heart skipped, my lungs emptied out at every single thing he did. How did he manage? How did I let this happen? How?
"Aerie," his voice whispered, and I breathed in deeply.
I shook myself out of this trance with all my might. "If you go to North Road, my complex is right off that street."
My voice was shaky. I wondered if he could tell. Of course he could! I was obvious, never being able to hide any of my emotions. They had a better hold on me than I'd like to admit. At this point in my adult life I don't think I had a single ounce of control over myself. My feelings, my emotions, my thoughts, my body. It was on it's own schedule. I was simply a freight train for this demon cargo inside myself.
Lincoln nodded and finally took his eyes off me. I almost sighed from relief. The car left its spot and began rolling down the road, Lincoln's hand draped lazily over the top of the wheel. I did my best to not look, or move, or make a sound. Nothing to draw any attention to myself.
The drive was mostly silent, and I wondered to myself why Lincoln had not said a thing. I assumed he'd maybe have more to ask, but maybe I was wrong.
Suddenly a bump in the road made me jump in my seat, and it was then I realized I'd passed out. My body having been slumped over to the side, head resting up against the seat, simply dreaming of being awake. My face went hot as I straightened out, and I turned briefly to see Lincoln was looking over at me. He smiled.
"I got a little worried when you stopped answering, but I didn't want to disturb you," he said softly.
I blushed. "Sorry, didn't realize how knackered I was."
I wished I had heard what he'd said. I tried to remember that last thing he said before it all went blank. Was it about my work? Hobbies? I couldn't remember. Curses...
"It's fine," he said. "Never seen someone fall asleep in a car so easily. You looked so peaceful."
My blushing intensified.
"Sorry," I breathed.
"For what?"
Why did I apologize? Thick.
"I don't know," I admitted. I looked ahead of us, recognizing the surroundings as my neighborhood, if you could even call it that. "It's gonna be the next right, coming up."
He slowed for the corner, turning onto the street the road becoming narrow and uneven. I caught his expression change, his brow dropping, eyes narrowing. I squirmed.
"After that it's left and my buildings just there," I said lowly, the overwhelming feeling of self-conscious growing.
He followed the directions into the small parking lot and complex located in what was essentially located in the centre of a cluster of buildings back exits. He pulled up to the spiral stairs, putting the car in park.
He was looking out the windshield, taking in the area. I could see the concern written all over his face. I nodded, feeling my body become so small.
"I know this neighborhood, but I didn't know there were apartments here," he said, turning to face me, his expression once again shifting when he saw my state.
"That's because this is the only one," I muttered lowly.
He stared, looking bewildered.
"It's the only place I could afford by myself," I explained.
