MURDER GAME

Chapter 23

***

The smell of pine needle tea spread across the apartment. Water vapor was humming from the electric teapot. Mackenzie peeked through the glass on the oven, "The cookies are ready!"

Sebastian removed the teapot and went down to look at the cookies that were baking. There were various shapes from hearts to teddy bears.

"They seem baked ..." Sebastian opened the oven and with the cloth took baking tray where the cookies were, "Mackenzie go find the cartoon we will watch." She nodded and bounced to the bed.

The tea cups were too hot to take to the living room, so he put them on the round tray. He poured the cookies into a white ceramic bowl. He decorated tray with a single flower that Mackenzie had picked up that morning in the park where George had taken her.

He set the tray down on the coffee table in the living room and placed a pillow behind his back, "Well, what are we watching?"

"Carmen Sandiego!"

"Sounds... interesting." Sebastian anointed her head and stirred her tea.

There was a knock on the door, "I'll open it! That must be Uncle Milan!"

Sebastian couldn't answer because Mackenzie was already at the front door holding the doorknob. He turned to see who had come but he didn't see much because of the wall.

"Hey, Mackenzie!"

Sebastian immediately dropped the cup on the coffee table when he heard a voice. He jumped to his feet and ran his fingers through his hair. He reached the door slowly.

"Hi, Skyla." Mackenzie looked at her with a raised eyebrow and walked to her place on the couch, bored.

"Skyla ... I don't won't to be rude but ..." He looked up from the floor at her eyes, "what are you doing here?" Sebastian thought he was clear when they spoke for the last time. That was few days before.

Skyla shrugged and gave him a shopping bag of snacks and juice, "I was passing by and I thought I could drop by."

"Does everyone in the police know where I live?" I'm going to have to change this apartment. Sebastian moved out of the door to let Skyla enter.

"Actually ... I'm lying. I asked George where you live."

And he told her? The serial killer might as well inquire where I am and my friend George would tell him. And to Sebastian, the difference between Skyla and the serial killer was very small. "That explains everything."

"It may explain how I know where you live ... but it doesn't explain the reason I came." Skyla hung her jacket on chair and tucked the sleeves of her shirt over her fingers.

"WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CAAARMEN" Mackenzie got to her feet and started to jump on the bed, "Are you coming guys? It's starting!"

They exchanged glances and came in front of the TV without talking.

***

Sebastian closed his eyes just for a second and immediately heard a giggle next to his ear, "Mackenzie? Why are you tickling my nose?"

"Because you can't sleep, we are watching cartoon!"

"I'm tired ..." Sebastian removed her hand and placed her palm under his cheek. He felt a tickle on his nose again.

1 ... 2 ... 3 .... He was breathing deeply. The tickling continued.

"Will you ..." he grabbed Skyla's hand, "stop ... Sorry, I thought you were Mackenzie." He looked toward the little monster on his right.

"Never mind. Can you let go of my hand now?"

Sebastian looked back in front of him and quickly let Skyla's hand go, "Sorry."

A red color erupted on her cheeks. She looked away at Mackenzie and smiled slightly. She ran her fingers through her blond hair and moved back a strand of her face.

Sebastian didn't see Skyla as shy as this in the two months he spent in London. It just didn't go with her character.

Mackenzie glanced at Sebastian and Skyla alternately and shrugged, "I'm going to sleep. You're acting weird. And yes ..." she stood in front of Sebastian "I'm gonna brush my teeth."

It produced a smile on his face and he kissed her for good night.

When the door of the bedroom was finally heard, Skyla exhaled. "Listen..."

Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't just want to come at your place like this but ... when we're at the police station either someone listens to us or you run away." She emphasized the last part of the sentence.

She's right.

"Sorry I didn't respect your privacy."

Sebastian motioned for her to continue being genuinely interested in what she had to say.

She shifted from the armchair to the couch beside him, looking at him through her lashes, and from time to time shifting her gaze to the floor, "I'm sorry I was nauseous to you."

Sebastian swallowed hard and just nodded, looking into her eyes. This made her tilt her head slightly so that her hair fell over her face.

Sebastian removed the tuft behind her ear and waited for their eyes to meet, "It's okay ..."

Skyla parted her lips and studied his face, which seemed insensitive. She placed her hand on his upper arm and slowly dragged her finger to his shoulder and finally to his neck.

Sebastian felt tingles climb up his spine. He exhaled and pulled his head away from hers.

"I don't understand ..." Sebastian stood up in front of her. "You just apologized ... and then the next moment, as soon as you saw that I believed you had an understanding and something more than good looking ... you go back to the old one vultures mode." He shook his head and rubbed his temple. "You know what?"

He stared at her, feeling hurt and deceived. "It would be best if we didn't talk for a while."

Skyla bite at the inside of her cheek and nodded. She picked up her things and turned to Sebastian while she was standing at the door. Her wet eyes met his, "I believe your wife saved herself when she died. I have never seen more emotionally incompetent man than you ..."

Sebastian clenched his jaw, "Get. Out." his words ran through his teeth.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't stay here even if I were crazy."

Sebastian slammed the door before Skyla turned to the stairs. He turned to the brick pillar and hit it with his fist with all his might. "Shit ..." he whispered. "I have to stop doing this."

A\N

Well, this is shorter chapter but I think it's important.

What are your thoughts on Skyla?

Please VOTE & COMMENT! <3

xx