10 The Confrontation

Grandma was likely in her room and I didn't see Nicholas anywhere. I needed to get some air. I knew I'd be safe because it was daylight. No one would be dumb enough to try to attack me in broad daylight .

When I opened the door to leave, I bumped into Nicholas who was about to walk in. He wore a black tight t-shit and black long pants. He was freakishly taller than me. His blue eyes bore into me, gosh those things could really put someone into a trance.

I attempted to move passed him and into the hall, but he blocked my way.

I sighed, “excuse me.” I said.

“Where do you think you're going?”

I crossed my arms. “Out.”

He blocked my path with his full body frame, all his muscles prevented even the smallest gap.

“It's safer if you stay inside.”

“You can't tell me what to do, Nicholas. Let me through.” I knew better than to try to push passed him.

“Get inside Avalon,” He moved away from the door and shut it behind him. “You'd have to be crazy to go outside by yourself after what happened last night.”

“It's daylight genius!” I through my arms in the air. “And I don't care what you think anyway.”

“Neither do I. Now you're going to do as I say.”

Oh my gosh he was already trying to act like my step dad. What was he going to do if I disobeyed him? Hang me over his legs and spank me?

“Who the hell do you think you are Nicholas? My ste-” Mom walked in and caught us face to face in a confrontation. I stood on my tops to glare him in the eyes. His was inches away from me staring down hard at me, his hands on hips. He thought I was a spoiled brat.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“I want to go out.”

“Absolutely not. At least... for now.”

“You do realise I'm over eighteen right?” I muttered. “I wasn't even asking for permission. Fine I won't wonder far. Just outside the building, I just need some air.” Without waiting for their reply I saw my chance and walked out of the room and took the elevator to the ground floor.

I was greeted by a cool breeze. It was cloudy all of sudden in SilverLake, big heavy grey clouds hang gloomily in the sky. They mirrored my feelings. The wind was getting to me, I started rubbing my shoulders for warmth. Mom's apartment building was opposite an African restaurant called Mama ‘Manda’s Home Cooked Meals. There were several thrift stores and trinket stores on Mama ‘Manda’s block.

I used to shop at the thrift store just two stores down. It was closed. It was a slow day, the streets were fairly clear, not a car or bike for miles. There were just a few people wandering on the streets. There was a woman standing a few feet away from me smoking. She had short bright velvet hair. She paced the sidewalk in black six inch heels. I wish I could wear those.

She blow smoke out of her nose and into the air… I'd never seen her in the building before she was probably new. After she was finished with her cigarette she walked back into the building.

“I better get back inside.” I took one glance at the streets and went back inside the building. It felt as if no time had passed at all when I entered the apartment again. Though, it was after twelve. Mom came out of her bedroom breathlessly.

“Mom I was only gone for a-” I started.

“Never mind that Avalon. I need you to listen to me.” She said with urgency. “I'm going away for a while and I-”

“What why?” I cut her off quickly. Without thinking I flopped on the couch.

“That doesn't matter right now. I need you to trust Nicholas-”

“Nicholas?”I breathed out. “Why?”

“I want you to be safe while I'm away. I need you to trust Nicholas and stay here. Don't trust anyone else. There's so much you don't know dear, and now’s not the time. But right now I need you to trust me!”

*****

How many days had it been since my mother vanished without a trace? How long had it been since I left home again? How many hours had gone by since my mother's chilling words passed? So much time I spent reliving horrible emotions of abandonment.

So much time had gone by. So there I was lazily laying on my boyfriend's bed with him slightly snoring next to me. I've been staying here for a week. Yeah, that's how long my Mom's been gone. I couldn't bring myself to live alone in my apartment. I didn't feel safe and Rider didn't seem to mind.

Grandma and Nicholas had tried tirelessly to convince me to come home. I wouldn't budge. Despite what my mother told me about him, I didn't trust him. There was a sense of mystery around him, there was something he was hiding, and why should I trust him?

So many thoughts lingered in my mind at two a.m. I couldn't sleep. I'd been having nightmares more often… in most of my dreams those tall boney demons are in them. I never manage to get away from them. In others I'm back at that ruins being chased by a large yellow serpent. In the most recent one where both the tall dark demons and the yellow snake were trying to kill me I was saved by Nicholas. My mind was playing tricks on me.

I drifted off to sleep… and thankfully slept peacefully until the sun rose.

“You have a class in the morning?” Rider asked as he got dressed.

“Just one,” I replied. I'd been given a warning by the college. If I missed anymore classes I'd be kicked out. Not that I'd complain much, I don't know what I'm still doing there anyway. Wading through my life? Yeah… the choice is mine to make if I decide to walk away from college. I just can't bring myself to be a disappointment.

“Wanna ride with me.”

“No it's like around 10. I've got time to spare.”

“Make sure you make it Ava.” Rider said sternly. I rolled my eyes.

“Yes!” I through a pillow at him. He grinned and grabbed my face for a kiss.

“Breakfasts downstairs. I love you I'm heading out.”

“I love you too.” I smiled at him as he walked out. I liked my lips missing the softness of his lips on mine.

I picked up my phone and went through my social media. I found several messages and missed calls from Grandma and Nicholas which I ignored. In the back of my mind I wondered about the two dead bodies I'd left behind a week ago. There had been absolutely nothing about two dead bodies found in middle classed SilverLake. I check online everyday, I watched the news every single day and night. I hoped it'd make the news, and I prayed no one would suspect me. But it was as if they're deaths never even happened.

Had I really killed them? Was I just losing my mind and that attack never even happened? I feared the truth. My phone buzzed with a call from Grandma. I picked up and was quick to protest.

“I'm not asking Avalon!” She cut me off. “I need you to come home immediately. We have to talk right now it's urgent. And don't take your time either.” She was stern and meant every word.

“I'll be there in a few minutes.” I gave in.