Ch. 4 "Fever"

I entered my apartment again. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders I hadn't even noticed was wearing me down. The light from behind me seemed to fade away as I turned to see if the field was still there. I saw nothing but the sad fluorescent light in the hall and the stained, dirty carpet. I sighed.

"So it wasn't even real....", I mumbled. I took a step further into my apartment, only for my foot to be met with the shirt I was wearing when I was "put to sleep", as Chase called it. I looked down, and smoothed my hands over the flimsy silk dress. Or maybe it was real? I groaned at how transparent it actually was. I picked up my shirt, put it over my shoulder and made sure to triple check the locks on my door. When I was thoroughly satisfied nobody else was getting in the rest of the night, I made my way to my bedroom. It was nearly 3 AM. I set my alarm clock for 5:45 in the morning, taking a moment to raise my hands above my head and stretch. I let out a loud yawn.

"So early? I shouldn't have kept you so late. I apologize for that", I recognized that voice. But how? When? Where? I rotated in a circle, scanning the room. My eyes landed on the corner nearest my window. I strained so hard to see, but only a deep black stain clung to the shadows of the wall.

"Now I know for a fact I'm crazy. Ahh, well. I guess I knew that already", I chuckled at myself. Now I'm hearing voices? That's just swell. I threw the shirt across the room into my hamper. I loosened the straps on the dress and slid it up over my head and threw it on the floor. I turned to look at my naked body in the mirror on my wall for what seemed longer than I should have. My collar bones seemed more prominent than just a month ago. Being broke and never having time to eat will do that, I suppose. I looked over all my bruises from work and sighed. Hauling boxes up and down stairs and unpacking new inventory had started to take a toll on my body. I slid my hands over my breasts, down my ribs, and onto my thighs. When did I get so frail? I shook my head, dismissing my frivolous thoughts.

I slid into my bed and situated my pillows. I pulled my blankets all the way up to my neck. I felt my eyes grow heavy and let them slide shut. It took almost no time at all for me to succumb to my sleep. I didn't dream at all.

. . . . . . . .

I heard the beginning of my alarm tone, and I lifted my arm to slap "snooze". I needed more sleep, but my paycheck was ready today. I needed it badly. I rolled over to face away from it, praying it wouldn't go off again so I could sleep more; only to be met by warm breath tickling my nose. It smelled like a grove of pine trees. My eyes shot open. I was met with Chase's pale face. His eyelashes caressed the tops of his cheeks. I watched in awe as the same green smoke exited his mouth with every exhale he took. The glitter quickly dissolved into the air. My cheeks turned bright red as I realized what this could possibly mean, having him in my bed like this. Did he try anything with me? I sat up sharply, leaning to turn off my alarm clock entirely before the five minute snooze was up. Maybe I can sneak away before he wakes up? I grabbed some of the blanket and held it up over my bare chest. How thoroughly embarrassing. As I was plotting an escape route, I heard a groan and felt an arm encircle my waist.

I looked down slowly, and my eyes met his steely jade gaze. Seeing him look so vulnerable made me shiver. I'm sure he felt the same about me in that instant. His eyes crinkled at the edges as me smiled, and yawned. I leaned away from his arms, trying to escape. He didn't seem to like that.

"Where are you going?", he asked lifting his head up onto my bare thigh.

"I have to work, you know. I can't just lounge around all day", I said quickly. I slid my hand behind my back and separated us. I pulled the entire blanket off the bed as I got up. He raised an eyebrow at me, propping his head up with his hand. I looked down, and saw that he too was entirely naked. I never felt a blush spread past my neck but I'm sure I felt it spill onto my shoulders and chest this time. I felt sick. My mouth fell open as I grasped for words.

"So, you like what you see then?", he asked with a cheeky smile, also propping one leg up as if to entice me. I turned around so fast that I tangled my feet in the blanket and fell to my knees. My breathing was quick and my heart was beating savagely. I didn't like the position I was in here. I heard him get out of bed and walk over to where I fell. His shadow loomed over me. He stood with his hands on his hips, his feet shoulder width apart. How gross, I thought to myself. I couldn't bare to look at him right now. I held my hand up as a shield between me... and his unit.

"Why are you naked?! And why were you in bed with me?! Did you do anything to me last night?", I barely managed to choke out. If I didn't get my breathing under control, I was sure I'd pass out.

"I'm appaled you would think I'd take advantage of you while you were resting so sweetly. And... Well, we made a deal, didn't we?", he asked, genuinely confused by my discomfort.

"Yeah, I guess! But nowhere in there did I ever say that I'd sleep with you, sexually or literally!", I barked. He lowered his head, truly downtrodden.

"I'm sorry... I thought that's how humans built trust with each other. If you sleep in the same bed, shouldn't you trust the other person? This is all so confusing...", he asked. He sat down on the edge of my bed, facing the window. The sky was turning lavendar and light yellow, casting a spell binding color into my room. He held his chin in his hand, and pondered his predicament.

"Why should I trust you when firstly, you kidnapped me against my will? Secondly, only kidnapped me in an attempt to sleep with me? And thirdly, came into my bed unwelcomed at some point through the very short night?", I said, exasperated.

"I didn't even know that you could be here, in my realm of reality! I thought I was crazy, or having the most vivid lucid dream of my life!", my tone growing less friendly by the word. I glanced at the floor; the dress lay crumpled in a pile. It was real. This happened. There is a man, not quite human, and very naked sitting on my bed. What am I supoosed to do here? He turned around to look at me. I stood up, keeping myself covered and entered my closet, blanket dragging behind me like the train of a wedding dress. I pulled the string for the light. Thank god I wore a mixture of clothes. I had some men's sized shirts and pants. I picked up the largest hoodie I owned, the largest shirt, and the largest pair of joggers. I turned and whipped them at Chase's head as I collected each article. A part of me hoped he got a zipper to the eye or ear for embarrassing me like this. While the clothes clung to his head, I slipped the blanket off and closed the door of the closet behind me. I placed my hands on either side of the door frame while still breathing raggedly. I need to get him out of my house.

I started haphazardly dressing myself in my work uniform. Thank god the uniform was all black. I heard there was supposed to be rain again today. I exited the closet with my hand in front of my eyes, prepared for my eyes to be further assaulted.

"I am dressed now, you know", he said. I opened my fingers slightly and appraised my work of dressing him. The pants barely covered his ankles. The shirt and hoodie were fine. I dropped my hand and sighed.

"How long do you plan on staying here with me?", I asked. I wanted to know when he intended to find his own place.

"Well how am I supposed to protect you if I'm not with you all the time? What if that creep who stole your phone comes back?", he asked, vaguely gesturing at me with his hands. He did prove a point. I didn't want to admit it, but I did feel safer with someone else here. Begrudgingly, I shrugged.

"You're leaving after we catch him though, right?", I asked, pointing a finger in his direction. He held his hands up, palms out to me. I took that as a yes. I collected the rest of my things for work. I slipped on my sneakers. They were still wet. Awesome.

"Now, let's see about some shoes for you", I said. I rummaged through the boxes of shoes by the front door. Damn. None of these will fit him.

"I got it covered, don't worry!", he said, proudly. I glanced over at his feet. They somehow magically had a pair of rain boots covering them now. At least his ankles won't be too cold. I looked up at him from my squatting position on the floor and squinted my eyes suspiciously, trying to figure out how he had managed to pull that trick off. He shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't ask questions unless you're ready to hear the answers, babe", he said, shrugging again.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Don't call me babe, either", I said. I grabbed my keys out of the side pocket of my backpack.

"Let's go", I said. I gestured out the open door for him to leave first. He walked past me and leaned against the wall just outside the door. I walked through the threshold and immediately felt on edge. Maybe the break-in was still messing with my head. I was still so tired. That had to wait though. Work was now my priority.