How to Kill a Man in Thirty Seconds

Chapter 58: Summer Thunderstorm

Mum's brows were furrowed in concern when I returned home. I hadn't told her about the movie but perhaps the fact that I was drenched from head to foot and shivering uncontrollably, coupled with the truly crestfallen look I wore, was a dead giveaway that something unpleasant had gone down.

"Sweetheart, you okay?" she asked worriedly, to which I nodded absentmindedly.

Part of me couldn't believe that I'd just gotten stood up on the first date that I had perhaps ever cared about.

I couldn't help the hurt that clawed at me. And I despised myself with everything I had for feeling this upset.

Since when had I given someone such power over me?

Frustratingly enough, I lay tossing and turning that night. My hair was still soaking wet, I was still shivering, and my nose had begun running, but now that the initial shock had passed, I was beginning to see past the emotion.

Adrian would never have done it on purpose. I'd known him long enough to be positive of that. Had he forgotten then? But Adrian never forgot anything, not even mundane details.

Then why? Had something happened to him? The moment the question crossed my mind, I sat up in bed with a start.

Had something really happened to him? Was he okay? Grabbing my phone, I dialed his number again but as I expected, it was only the monotonous ringing that sounded before the line went dead.

I had to be overthinking this; that was it. I was being irrational. Nevertheless, my heart pounded in my chest, my train of thought only broken when another roll of thunder boomed overhead, causing my hands to rush to my ears. The sound of bawling erupted from the outside corridor, before the door burst open and my terrified sister pounced onto me. Lily buried her tear stained face in my lap as she clung to me, shaking in fear and for a moment, I forgot about the failed date as I rushed to console her. It was a while of whispering comforting words in her ear before Lily's tears finally stopped and she drifted off into a contented sleep.

Her arms were wrapped tight around my waist, small satisfied exhales leaving her lips as she all but curled into a ball atop my lap. I tugged my blanket off the bed, covering her small body with it before my gaze returned to the storm outside, following the raindrops as they flew past my window. The worry rushed back to me in an instant and my heart began to pound heavily once more.

I awoke with a start the next morning.

Feeling Lily pressed up against me, my drowsy gaze drifted to the window, my eyes filling with moisture as I blinked against the harsh sunlight that filtered into the room. The events of the night before came rushing back to me. My eyes shut as I struggled to bury the impending rush of emotion. To think, I needed my head clear.

My eyes shot open.

The sky outside my bedroom window was a deep blue, brilliant sunlight bathing my room in a golden glow. There was not a cloud in sight. I could hear birds chirping in the distance; could see a mockingbird hopping from branch to branch of the tree outside my window; it spread its black and white wings gracefully as it burst into song, a peaceful melody I hadn't heard in a while.

And yet, my pounding heart would not calm.

I was filled with shame by the time I reached Adrian's house. The boy stands you up, and yet you come running back like a dog, a harsh voice in my head spat.

I silenced my inner demons. And knocked swiftly on the door.

He was going to be fine, had probably just dozed off last night; part time work probably had him exhausted.

The door opened softly then.

For a moment, it was all I could do but blink in bewilderment as I registered the tall figure filling the doorway and the unfamiliar face that stared down at me. Then, I registered the wavy black hair and brilliant green eyes, the eerily pale face beneath the stubble that dotted the man's jaw. He towered over me, shirt taught over his wide chest, sleeves stretching under wide muscles.

I registered the chilling familiarity to his features, unsettlingly similar to a face I was accustomed to and had grown to endear.

Horror grasped me.

I stood there, petrified, as the man stared back at me, something flickering in his emerald eyes before he smiled. It was a wide smile, one that stretched from ear to ear, too friendly. Too excited. A dimple appeared on his right cheek as he did so.

The air rushed out of me.

The hairs had risen on my body, terror in its rawest form gripping me as the man looked me up and down unbiddenly.

"My, my, you must be Adrian's little friend," he said, his voice too delighted, too thrilled. He held out his hand- square, perfectly trimmed nails, and sharp fingers- to me. Long, pink tongue slithered out to run slowly over white, perfectly groomed teeth that dazzled down at me. His smile widened then, if possible, even more, until it covered half his face, like a clown's.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Charley Green," said Adrian's father.