Escape the Covenant || Shawmila [Completed]

Chapter 7

«Shawn, I can't go inside your house! » I exclaim trying to get out of his grasp.

He looks at me and I can imagine a big question mark stamped on his forehead. «Of course you can come inside, what are you talking about? »

«I don't think your grandfather would be pleased»

He rolls his eyes. «He's not even here. Actually, nobody is at home right now»

So, for the first time in my entire life, I step inside that building. I don't know exactly what I was expecting, maybe rifles hanged everywhere or some strange weapon invented by Gerard himself ready to snap. But the reality I'm met with is comforting. On the right there's a small white kitchen, very organized and clean. On the opposite side there's a living room where two green velvet sofas fill the space. The walls are covered with pictures:  a few of them portray a young Gerard with his wife, others show a happy family with a kid, who I suppose is Pete. The rest of the photos are all about Shawn: when he was just a baby, when he was a kid and he was playing in the garden with his grandfather, his first day of school, Shawn at prom... it's not difficult to understand the deep connection between the boy and the old man.

Once again, Shawn takes me by my wrist and guide me towards the back of the house. We enter a small room, the sunlight barely filters through the curtains, but it's pretty clear who this room belongs to. A single bed leans against the largest wall and next to it there's a small nightstand. A plain wardrobe goes unnoticed thanks to an amazing bookcase filled by any sort of book and music record. All around the floor, boxes lay abandoned carelessly, like they've been forgotten.  «Sorry for the mess. Usually it's not like this, but I wasn't in the mood to unpack everything so... yeah» he mumbles, a little embarrassed. He rummages inside a drawer until he finds a first aid kit. He sits on the bed and motions for me to do the same, but I hesitate. «I don't want to stain your bedsheets with my blood»

«You need to stop worrying so much and just follow the flow» he scoffs as he pulls me towards him. I sit beside him and I let him take off the now drenched tissue. «Damn, that's a nasty cut! How did you get it? »

Okay, I can't tell him that I purposely did it myself, so what now? «I was cutting an apple and the knife slipped». God, I'm such a bad liar! I don't expect him to believe any of my words. He lifts a brow but ignores my poor excuse and I'm grateful for that.

He spreads the antiseptic on my palm very gently and I try not to wince. He wipes away the excess with a cotton ball, then places over the cut a clean gauze and finally bandages my hand. «The wound it's not that deep so it should heal fast. I suggest you keep the bandage on, 'cause a small bandaid won't help».

It's difficult to focus on his words when he's just a few inches away from me. I'm hypnotized by the movement of his plump lips, by the green splinters on his irises, by the cute dimples on his cheeks. His fresh perfume wraps around me making me dizzy and I can't completely understand what's happening to me. I've never felt this way before and it seems strange to me because he didn't do anything special.

I clear my throat and stand up, then I move towards the shelves. I scan over the books and I'm pleased to find out that he's a great reader. There are a lot of adventure novels, the great classics, a few fantasies and even a couple of romances. I let out a surprised laugh when I spot a worn book. «Thomas Hardy? »

«What's wrong with him? » he asks a little offended. «I find the tragedy of Tess's life very endearing. There's something about the power that the Fate has, the forces that guides her story, her incapability of overcoming troubles... that intrigues me».

I smile hearing the passion behind his words. «I like Tess of the D'Urbervilles too, I wasn't making fun of you. I simply didn't expect you to be this passionate about it. I mean, this book is pretty worn out».

«It's my mom's favorite» he admits, and a tinge of sadness fills his words. I really want to ask him what's wrong, but we hear the entrance door closing and we froze. «Fuck! Okay Mila, don't make a move nor a sound or we're screwed. Just hide somewhere until I tell you to come out». There's panic in his voice and I start to worry. I knew coming here wasn't a great idea, why the heck did I ignore my intuition?! He leaves the room and I'm left here alone, trying to find a secret spot to hide my small frame. The wardrobe is a bit obvious, but I can't think of anything else. Outside, calm voices echoes in the distance.

Alone in the darkness, I start to ask myself a lot of questions. What will happen to me? Was this some sort of trap? Why did Shawn ask me to hide? And why have I the feeling that he's concealing something? Time seems to have slow down and after what it felt like an eternity, someone opens the closet door.

«You have to be very quiet» he whispers. «I can lead you to the back door, then wait for me at the end of the street, please».

I glare at him. I don't want to trust him, I don't want to follow his instructions and I don't want to spend another minute in his presence. But, as usual, his eyes are clear and honest and, despite my grudge, I comply with his request. Ten minutes later, I see him running to me. I look directly at his face and I firmly assert: «You better start talking, Shawn. What kind of secret are you keeping from me?»