Inked Creations

CHAPTER EIGHT: "Count Down"

                                         *THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT*

I barely register the sound of the baseball bat hitting the floor. I can't remember hitting the floor, or Agmos scooping me up in his arms. I don't know what he said to me in his attempt to calm me down, as he tucked me into bed. All I remember is foggy words, and everything going black.

I open my eyes to see the wooden Victorian chandelier hanging from the ceiling above my bed. I sit up and glance around the loft, trying to get my bearings. I release a heavy sigh. Maybe it was just a bad dream. Maybe I'm just waking up on Christmas morning and this whole ordeal was a hallucination. I'm starting to convince myself it wasn't real, when I turn and find Agmos sitting on a chair a few feet away. It appears he situated himself as close to me as possible, yet far enough to not startle me. His white eyes are focused on me. I release another sigh. Fuck.

Without a word, I throw back the covers and crawl out of bed in my Picard tank top and undies. I grab my sweatpants off the floor and tug them on. Without so much as a glance in his direction, I cross the loft to the bathroom. I close the door behind me, clicking the lock into place. Gazing at my reflection, I notice how dark the bags under my eyes are. I look like shit. I turn the sink on, splash cool water on my face, and breathe deeply. I free my hair from the ponytail, and run my brush through the orange mess. I put the hairband on my wrist, leaving my hair free falling over my shoulders, and exit the bathroom.

Agmos is now sitting at the kitchen table, a glass of water placed at the seat across from him. He gestures for me to sit with him. I hesitate for a brief moment, then find my feet carrying me across the open space. I take the seat, and grab the glass in front of me. I gulp the liquid down like a dying man in the desert. Placing the glass back on the table, I release a deep sigh, staring at the glass.

"Is Charlie an immediate threat?" My voice comes out cold and monotone. Emotionless.

"Mr. Forbes is currently on business in Canada. Until Swindle and I have a solid plan to execute, we're simply monitoring his moves. Observing from a distance. It appears he has a hunch that we know, but we're not ready to confirm that for him just yet."

I nod. "I need to think. I need..." I lift my gaze, locking onto his piercing white eyes. My heart skips a beat, and I feel a strong urge to break his nose. "I'd like you to leave now. I need time. I need to think."

He hesitates a moment, then pushes back from the table. His movements look forced, like he's fighting the desire to remain in his seat. With a strained look, he gets to his feet, his right fingers still on the table. He bounces his fingers off the tabletop a few times, like he's searching for the right words to say.

"I won't be far..." He says softly. His left fingers are toying with a necklace hanging against his chest. It appears to be some sort of claw, or maybe a tooth. "All yah have to do is call my name, and I'll be here."

"Agmos." I stand up, shoving my hands into the pockets of my sweatpants.

"Yeah?" He cocks his head to the side, eyes locked on mine.

"Get. Out."

NEW YEAR'S EVE

White star shaped lights are woven across the entire ceiling, creating a beautiful effect. Kaylee and Sophie spent all day yesterday decorating for tonight's party. The couches, table, and even my bed, have all been pushed back against the walls to create a wide open space. The circular collapsible tea tables I keep in storage have been set up around the room. Kaylee set up midnight blue tablecloths on them, with a single white rose centerpiece on each.