The Maid

Take a seat

We both sat there, in the dark, unblinking. I tried to take in his features, but it was hard with the lack of light. I could see he was a larger frame, not that he was heavy, but he was sound. He was tall, I learned that outside.

"Take a picture." I blinked in shock that he spoke, "what?"

He leaned forward responding to me, "I said take a picture, that would last longer." I allowed my mouth to fall slightly, "What's the matter Sara? Cat got your tongue?"

I stood up and pointed a finger at him, " Look you! You came into my house uninvited, you don't tell me as much as your name, and now I can't even think straight! Are gonna murder me or something?!"

He leaned back putting his hands up in mock surrender, "Ah, you got me, I'm just a no name, unwelcome, and I guess a murderer." He smiled slyly.

"Stop messing with me! Who are you!?" I stood with my hands on my hips not backing down. "You owe me at least that... you scared the bajebbers outta me..."

He raised an eyebrow and started laughing, "The 'bajebbers'? You really are as weird as everyone says, but I don't see the fire I've heard so much about." He stood up stepping closer to me.

I could see his dark hair better, and he had stormy grey eyes. "People talk so what..." I could feel timidity seeping into all I am.

He shrugged "They do, and what I haven't learned from others I learned from watching you." He began to circle me. "I know how you take your coffee, I know your favorite shops, I even know you mix two different toothpastes together."

I sprung to life "You're the one who has been following me!!" With as fast as I started my fire I also put it out, I wasn't sure if I was safe or not, I started to pull my cellphone out of my back pocket slowly. "So you are the one who has had me on edge for over a month now? Are you going to kill me?"

I saw him smirking, "Yeah, I guess. I would have been the bumps you hear at night, the creaking of doors, the unexplained shadows, and the figure lurking in the corners." He talked as if it was as common as a Sunday stroll, completely ignoring the more important question.

"So you are either sick, perverted, or a murderer. " He actually looked offended by this comment, he took a step back before retorting in a gruff voice, "More like a concerned party."

"A concerned party!? You've got to be joking. Concerned parties say something, but you, you watched me! No, you haunted me. I was terrified around every corner and you were there lurking! That isn't concern, that is torture." I stood confident my anger boiling that he could be so presumptuous.

"Look you little brat," he pointed at me, "if you asked less questions I wouldn't have to watch you! You'd be living safe and secure here in Covington, but the size of your mouth has put all that at risk. If you just minded your own business everything would be fine," He got into my face, "but you can't do that can you?! The story is too intriguing, too compelling, too addictive to give up once you tasted it. You'll do anything, say anything, to get the high that knowledge will give you! I'm sorry to say you won't be satisfied at the end of this story! Sara you will regret everything once you know anything!"

I swallowed hard trying to dial any number at all, I could feel my own heart beat, feeling as though the next beat could be my last. "You're right! I need the truth! There are too many loose ends, too many things hidden, and I want answers! Tell me something...  anything as long as it's true."

He closed the distance holding my chin with his thumb and index finger. "You want truth? Fine, the truth is you can't trust anyone. Everyone you know is a risk, every person around you. Even the guy you buy your coffee from." I could see a hint of concern in his eyes.

"And what about you, can I trust you?" I remained where I was, unmoving, staring at him.

"Trust me least of all. And no more questions! You will end up dead." He had now stepped back,

"Yeah? And will you be the one to kill me?" I was still fiddling with my phone, and seriously contemplating getting a flip phone if I survive this.

"You would have been dead already, now can you stop asking me that?" He flicked the cup on the stand next to him before letting his eyes go my direction. "You are always asking the wrong questions to the wrong people. Some of what you ask is right, but it's wrong because of who you ask, that is what will get you killed. So Sara, what is the right question?"

I blinked not fully understanding, "What are you talking about?"

"See, still asking the wrong questions. Think Sara, you must be smarter than this or I'm wasting my time." He spoke in a condescending tone.

I sat for a moment ignoring him, I thought about what the right question was. "Is Callie the only incident? Or are there others?" He started to clap.

"Now that is the right question. What do you think?"

"I think that there is more that I'm not seeing... and each person is hiding a piece to a larger picture." I was confident in my response, I was sure there were many more incidents.

"Now that we made some headway, what are you gonna do Sara?"

"I'm gonna push harder, I'm gonna get answers." I slammed my fist on the coffee table.

He shook his head, "And here I thought we made headway, you are as resourceful as a tasmanian devil. You would rather tear up the world and see what's inside, but you risk destroying whats good in order to get to your story."

"No offence, but you don't know me at all." After my statement he turned to the door to leave.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" I yelled as he headed for the door.

"There is no reasoning with you, so I'm leaving. Good night Sara, I do hope you survive it, and if you do we will be talking very shortly."

"I hope you survive it"? What did he mean? I just stood there watching him leave. Not knowing all I wanted, and now confused.