The Berserker

Chapter 5

Hours passed after I got the hang of the video game controls. My goal was to beat Nathaniel at least once, and I growled low in my throat out of frustration as he beat me again. Nathaniel laughed triumphantly, and I tossed a couch pillow at him. He threw it back, and I dodged it.

"Hey come on. You're new at this, and you're doing pretty well."

"You do have a point," I exhaled looking at the time. It was two fifty four in the morning. I was surprised that Peyton hadn't started demanding where I was, but then again, I did say I wanted to be alone. Looking at Nathaniel, I felt a twinge of guilt. "I should get going now. Thanks for teaching me this, Nathaniel." I stood up setting the controller down on his coffee table.

"You could stay if you'd like. It's late, and I have an extra bedroom." He stood up blocking the way to the entrance. I was instantly on guard.

"Thanks but no thanks. I rather not stay here for the night." My reply was cold and distant and to the point.

"Right, okay." Nathaniel rubbed the back of his neck, a sign of awkwardness.

I took that opportunity to leave unlocking his door when he caught my arm gently. I jabbed him quickly in the stomach taking my arm back. He exhales sharply coughing and rubbing his stomach. Recovering he says, "Let me take you home." He stands up right grabbing his jacket.

I hold out a hand to stop him. He eyes me warily on guard as well.

Speaking calmly without snapping at him was difficult. "You don't need to take me home and I'd prefer if you don't touch me." I retracted my hand watching him as he watched me.

"I'll remember that," Nathaniel said putting his hands in his pocket. I noticed that his weight naturally shifted to his right leg. "Could we play games together, again?"

That look in his eyes was back, and I glanced down the hallway just to avoid its pull. "Maybe. I'll see how my schedule works out."

I didn't really plan on coming back. That pain in his eyes I could not save him from it, and it would be cruel if I gave him that hope.

"Here at least take a pair of shoes."

"Goodnight, Nathaniel." I inclined my head in his direction and walked away.

The streets were now quiet, and the blackness of the night wrapped around me. It was a long walk home from Nathaniel's apartment, but it didn't matter. I caught myself counting the number of steps it took to reach an intersection. Even when I tried to stop, I was subconsciously still counting.

Four thousand and two hundred sixteen steps later, I was home. The door was left unlocked and I shook my head at myself. In my rush to get away, I left a chance for another danger to get in. I went around the house quietly locking doors and windows. I opened the fridge door grabbing a beer and popped it open with the bottle opener. I realized that the hand gun was missing, and I went to retrieve it from my room. Once it was back in place, I sat on the couch sipping my beer. There was no way I was going to sleep tonight.

A presence was behind me, and I moved away quickly. They weren't aware I was here, and I stalked them quietly as they rummaged through the kitchen. I heard a female voice mutter a curse as she hit something particularly loud. I flipped the light on to see Nicky holding her hip before she whirled around in fright.

"It's not too hard to turn on a light is it?" I asked amused. She was trying to be quiet and not succeeding.

"Atla?! You scared me! What the hell you're a ghost!" Nicky half scolded, half groaned.

I took another sip of my beer shrugging. I set it down on the counter walking towards her. She looked at me tensely, and I got the feeling Nicky saw me as a predator. I gently probed her hip, and she winced. Turning around, I opened the bottom drawer pulling out a dish towel laying it out on the counter. Next, I opened the freezer taking out a handful of ice and putting it on the towel. I handed the makeshift ice compress to her and she took it pressing her hip carefully.