Partners In Crime

11 ~ Behind The Mask

I snapped out of staring at him and ran over, "Michael! Michael!"

He jumped slightly and turned to me, his eyes blazing with fire as he disregarded me before turning back around to the wall, driving his fist even harder into the brick.

"Fuck stop! Stop!" I grabbed his hand with all my strength and pulled it away from the wall before jumping in between. His eyes were glazed as he raised his eyebrows at me, his cheeks blotchy and tear stained. "Why are you doing this!?"

I cringed at the sound of desperation in my voice. Why was I so concerned for a man like Michael?

His eyes never left mine as he just stared at me, his lips slightly parted as his hand continued to drip blood onto the floor, his knuckle cut and bruised.

"Come here." I spoke more softly, placing a hand on his back guiding him toward the couch, my eyes searching his face for some kind of emotion. But nothing.

"I'm going to clean this okay?" I stated, crouching infront of him, his eyes fixed to the floor as he intently watched each drop of blood land, forming a small puddle.

I furrowed my eyebrows before making my way to the kitchen, opening every cupboard in search for some kind of bandage to wrap around his hand.

"Yes finally..." I muttered, as I spotted a small first aid kit on the top shelf of the cupboard above the sink. Getting on my tip toes I pulled it down and placed it on the counter.

Reaching for a cloth, I ran it under the tap, as well as pouring him a glass of ice cold water.

Remind me again why am I helping the man who kidnapped me and has almost been the cause of my death several times in the past few days?!

Pushing my annoyance aside I walked back into the living room. Michael's body was extremely still as he sat on the edge of the sofa and continued to stare at the floor his shoulders slightly hunched up.

Cautiously, I crouched down back in front of him. His attention turning to the bandages and water laying next to me before he turned his eyes to me confused.

"Michael I'm going to clean your hand up, okay?" I spoke carefully, keeping a close eye on him to make sure I wasn't the next thing he was going to be punching.

He stayed silent but brought his hand to rest on the side of his leg as I sat below him. He winced as started to gently pat around the cuts, trying to stop the bleeding. "You shouldn't do that." I sighed. "You could have really hurt yourself...well you have."

"That was the point." His voice was low and barely audible as he kept his eyes trained on his hand.

"Why? Why would you want to do that to yourself? And where's Marce?"

Why wouldn't she have helped Michael? Surely she heard him too?

"I sent her home."

He avoided my first question, his body slightly hostile as I started to wrap the bandage around his knuckle.

"Why did you want to hurt yourself?" I whispered, looking up to him. His eyes looked away from me immediately and back down to his hand, his face softening.

"Because I hurt you Lyra."

I felt my body freeze at his words that hung in the air. Was he joking? I glanced up to him quickly, his eyes not turning away as they locked with mine. The silence creeping around us as he stared seriously, his hand still between mine. My heart beat faster in my chest as I looked back down to his hand, tying the bandage around.

"Okay I'm done." I broke the silence that clung awkwardly to the air. I grabbed the glass of water from beside me and pushed it into his hand. I forced myself to turn away as I heard him drink some, as I sat kneeling in front of him.

"Thank you...no one has ever cared before." He spoke the last partly quieter. His eyes found mine again as they seemed to bore through my soul. Fuck.

"What perfume do you use?" I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind in a hope to break the tension. He frowned at me as a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Why did I ask that?

"What?" He laughed lightly, his anger seeming to diminish.

I felt my cheeks heat up and mentally cursed myself for picking such an invasive and awkward question. "You just have quite a strong and distinct smell."

"A good smell I hope." He laughed, holding his now bandaged hand with the other. My cheeks blushed even further. For fuck sake Lyra. "I'm just messing with you, it's Bal A Versailles, it's an old perfume."

"It smells like a feminine one."

Amusement spread across his face as he raised his eyebrow. "Is there a problem with that?"

"No no..." I spoke quickly. "I really like it."

"I can get you some if you want." He spoke seriously, his hand running over his bandaged knuckle.

"Really?"

"Yeah why are you so shocked girl?" He laughed.

Why am I so shocked? Because you're being nice for once.

"I'm not. Thank you that would be nice." I smiled before he smiled back lightly. The air seeming to become thick again as the silence crept in.

I trained my eyes on the floor as I felt his gaze on me, my breath hitching in my throat.

"Right. I need to have a shower." I broke the silence, as I let out a breathe I didn't realise I was holding.

At the corner of my eye I caught Michael smiling to himself as I got up from the floor.

"I'll make us dinner."

"You can cook?" I laughed, his eyebrows raising at my comment as he shook his head in annoyance.

"Yes I can cook Lyra I'm capable of looking after myself." He said seriously, but amusement was still evident.

"Sure." I muttered, looking towards his bandaged hand before I turned and walked out of the room.

***

I let the hot water run over me as I tried to calm my body. The image of Michael expressionless and ramming his hand into the wall was still vivid and clear in my mind as it seemed to burn into me. Why did I even care so much? Was he really doing that because he had hurt me or was that just an excuse?

"Stop it Lyra." I whispered to myself as I rolled my eyes and turned the water off. All I seemed to do lately was question everything he did. I mean I can't blame myself he is a complicated man.

I wrapped the white fluffy towel around myself before I entered into the bedroom.

"Oh fuck!" I jumped as I saw Michael sat in the chair beside my bed, his legs spread out as he sat back. "What are you doing? Get out!"

"Calm down Lyra." He sighed and stayed seated.

My cheeks flushed as I balled the towel in my hand, trying desperately to cover all my body as his eyes never left me. I'd never felt more exposed in my life.

"I just came to tell you dinner is ready."

"Okay thank you but can't you bring it up or something." I muttered, quickly turning round in an attempt to cover myself further. I heard him get up from the chair and his light footsteps behind me.

"I thought we could eat together."

I jumped again as his whisper tickled my ear, his body felt closely behind me as I was frozen to the floor.

"You-you mean- I thought you only liked to eat alone?"

"Not tonight, I need to speak to you." He spoke as I quickly looked over my shoulder. His face was serious before he turned around and walked out, shutting the door lightly behind him.

And once again my mind was overtaken by endless questions.