Jake.
I reached across the couch, picked up the telephone, and dialed the police.
***
Tuesday was a much better day for Chay and me. We fell into our old routine. He walked me to my classes—always carrying my books—we ate lunch together, and we kissed as often as we could. Yeah, that was the best part.
It was after gym. I’d gone out the back exit to grab a water from the vending machine before meeting Chay out front. I bought a bottle and downed half of it before turning and buying two more, one for Chay and another for me.
“That’s an awful lot of water,” someone said behind me.
“Well, I’m awfully thirsty,” I answered.
“I guess so.”
I turned and whatever I was about to say died on my lips. Rod. I hadn’t seen him since the night of the fight.
“Excuse me.” I tried to push past him.
He grabbed my arm. The water I held fell, the plastic bottles bouncing against the tile floor before rolling away. “Where are you going?”
“Let. Go. Of. Me,” I said, over-enunciating each word. I tried to sound fierce, but my insides were jiggling like a bowl of Jell-O.
“You know you’re playing with fire, right? He isn’t as tolerant as Azazel. I’m surprised he hasn’t done anything yet,” Rod said, reaching out and twirling a curl of my hair around his finger. I slapped his hand away.
“Who?”
“Abaddon, of course.”
I hadn’t expected him to tell me, but at least now we knew for sure who was behind the threats.
I stared at Rod. He had beady eyes that were set just a little too far apart from his long, pointed nose. His hair was a dirty blond and was too long in back, reminding me of a mullet.
“Nothing to say? He knows you know about him. What you don’t know is who he has working for him.”
“And who’s that?”
“Now what fun would it be if I told you? But, I will give you a hint. It’s someone you trust. Someone you’ll never see coming,” Spittle spewed from his mouth when he talked. A slow, disgusting smile curved his too-thin lips.
“I don’t believe you.” I tried to jerk my arm free. He dug his fingers harder into my flesh.
“You’re gonna die, you know? It’s a shame, really.”
He bent his head forward and gave me a quick peck of a kiss. His lips were mushy and soggy, and his breath smelled like the chili the cafeteria served for lunch the day before.
When he pulled his head back, I smacked him hard against the face with my free hand.
The side of his face reddened from my slap. “Hmm, I think I’m going to enjoy watching you suffer.”
“Let her go,” Xavier demanded behind me.
Rod dropped his hand. “Whatever, man. It’s all good.” He bent down and picked up my water bottles from the floor. It was all I could do to keep from kicking him in the face. He handed me the bottles. “Tick-tock, Milayna.”
I slapped him again… just because I wanted to and because the thought of his kiss made my skin crawl.
“Don’t ever touch me again,” I ground out between clenched teeth.
He laughed. “I’ll see you tonight.” He turned on his heel and walked toward the exit where he came face to face with Chay. “Hey, man.” Rod slapped Chay on the back like they were buddies.
Chay’s face was set in hard planes as he watched Rod leave.
“I’m surprised you didn’t jump in,” I said to Chay.
“You had it under control.” He looked up, saw Xavier, and nodded, just a slight tip of his head in Xavier’s direction.
A ghost of a smile touched Xavier’s lips before he turned and walked away.
Chay walked to me. “Did he hurt you?”
“Nah. Just yapped a little.”
He studied my face. I was afraid he was going to challenge me. I was relieved when he bent and kissed me gently. It was so much nicer than the grotesque kiss Rod had given me.
***
That night, I stared at them as they stared at the house. Darkness engulfed me. I knew they couldn’t see me, but it felt like their eyes were boring straight into my soul.
It wasn’t just Jake this time. He brought a friend. I was sure it was Rod, although the streetlight cast his face in eerie shadows so it was hard to tell.
I watched them for what seemed like hours, but was probably just a few minutes before I heard a light rap on the back door. I knew who it was before I stood to open it.
“What are you doing here?” I asked him.
“I came to see what they’re doing,” Chay answered, nodding toward the street.
“So far they’re just staring, like they’ve been every night this week.”
“They’ve been here every night? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shrugged a shoulder. “Actually, they haven’t been here. This is the first time the second guy has been here. I think it’s Rod, but I can’t be sure. Jake’s been here every night, though.”
“You should have told someone, Milayna.” Stalking into the living room, he dropped down on the couch to wait and watch.