by A. D. McLain
He cast one last, contemplative look at Billy’s plane before turning to go. Yes, this could be very useful knowledge, indeed.
Nicole reminded herself to keep her speed down when she passed a school zone. She didn’t usually drive to class, but it was supposed to rain later, so she’d thought it would be simpler to drive. Besides, all the attacks were taking their toil. Her nerves couldn’t take walking today. She surveyed the trees and flowers growing along the road. She’d driven down this road many times, walked it even more, and she’d never taken the time to check out the scenery surrounding it. Why she’d taken notice now, she didn’t know. She’d been noticing things a lot more lately, as if the outside world was becoming more real.
An image of David’s face came unbidden to her. She could see his dark hair, and beautiful blue green eyes which seemed to read her very soul. With an effort, she pushed these thoughts away and concentrated on the road.
Movement in the rear view mirror caught her attention. She saw a man crossing the street behind her, but when she looked at him, she had the eerie sensation he was staring at her through the reflection in the mirror. She was almost positive it was the man she’d seen outside the diner a few days ago. He was wearing the same sunglasses, even though it was cloudy. The traffic around her forced Nicole to take her attention away from him for a moment, but when she looked back in the mirror he was gone. She checked the side mirror. No sign of him there either.
A shiver ran down her spine. Where could he have disappeared to so quickly? The light ahead changed from green to yellow, so Nicole put light pressure on the brake pedal.
Nothing happened. She pressed harder, and still nothing happened. Frantically she tapped the brakes several times.
To her horror, a group of children started to cross the road at the crosswalk in front of her. The police officer directing traffic motioned for her to stop. With no time to warn them, she yanked the wheel to the right and the car swerved up onto the sidewalk. People scattered in every direction, and some screamed as she tried to avoid hitting anyone Bracing herself, she pulled the emergency brake. Her body whipped back and forth when the car jolted to a halt, and she found herself staring at the tall oak tree she’d almost ran into while she was busy avoiding pedestrians. Another second, and she would have hit it. With a loud exhalation of breath, she let her head fall against the steering wheel.
Nicole jumped when loud tapping sounded on her window and her neck and back protested the additional sharp movement. Her heart was still beating uncontrollably and she turned to find the worried face of a police officer staring at her. He said something, but her sluggish mind refused to follow his words. She forced herself to focus. “Huh?”
“Are you okay, Miss?”
She reached over and rolled down the window. “Yeah, just a little shaken. My car wouldn’t stop. The brakes didn’t seem to work.”
“Have you had problems like this with your vehicle before?”
“No, sir. If I had brake problems, I wouldn’t be driving it now. After this, I’ll probably never drive again,” she added with a slightly hysterical laugh.
“What’s your name?”
“Nicole Cameron.” He wrote the name down in a notepad.
“Cameron… weren’t you the woman who was attacked outside your residence recently?”
“Yeah, that’s me.” She managed a weak smile. Great, now everyone seemed to know who I am.
“Miss Cameron, I think you should probably get yourself checked out, and your vehicle definitely needs to be checked out. I’ll get someone to drive you to the doctor’s surgery, and we’ll take care of the car. Considering all that’s happened lately, I don’t think we can be too careful.” He motioned to a second officer to join him. “Officer Clark will take you to get checked out.”
Nicole tentatively got out of the car, aware of the fact that every muscle seemed to be sore. She just managed to avoid moaning when she straightened out. “Thank you, Officer…”
“Grimaldo, Tony Grimaldo.”
“Thank you Officer Grimaldo.” The two shook hands, and Nicole followed the younger officer to his car.
“Does this hurt?” The doctor moved her arm back and forth and pressed the skin in several spots.
“No.”
“Can you rotate your neck for me? Any pain or soreness?” Nicole rolled her head around in a circle, realizing that she wasn’t feeling any of the pain she’d had when she’d first stopped the car. “It feels fine.”
“Okay, it looks as if you’re in pretty good shape. All the tests are showing no problems. Unless there’s any pain anywhere, I’d say you’re fine to go.”
“Great.” She jumped down from the gurney and grabbed her things. “I don’t suppose I could get a note to take to class. The teacher has a really strict attendance policy.”
“Sure. Just see the secretary on your way out.”
“Thanks.” Nicole headed out, stopping by the front desk to get her note, before she headed towards the diner. She was starving. She started to walk down the street, crossing at the lights. All the normal sounds surrounded her, cars on the street, birds singing, the wind rustling some leaves, and footsteps echoing lightly behind her. She frowned at the even sound of the steps. They never got any softer or louder, as you’d expect when people were walking in different directions on the sidewalk. These footsteps stayed at the same volume, with the same pattern. Nicole slowed down and the footsteps slowed down.
A little on edge, she glanced over her shoulder, but there was no one there. She quickened her pace, not feeling so hungry anymore. She would be a lot happier once she got inside a building.
Artemis ducked back into the shadows and waited for her footsteps to start up again. He couldn’t risk being seen by anyone who might be watching her, but he needed to find a way to approach her. He used to be much better at this. If only she would go somewhere which wasn’t so out in the open. After the incident with the car, she went out for lunch, then headed for the school. Both were accessed by sidewalks a good distance from buildings. The library was no better, surrounded by an array of sidewalks and sapling trees that couldn’t hide a squirrel. When he thought she might be done, she turned and walked to a couple of downtown stores. How many places did one person have to go in a single day, anyway? They must have covered every inch of this wretched town by now. The rain started to come down, sending people scampering for cover, yet Nicole hardly missed a step. He frowned. With everyone leaving the streets, he’d be spotted more easily. He needed to end this, and soon. He tried to hold back his enthusiasm when he saw her change direction, heading towards her apartment building. Now was his chance.
Nicole rested a hand on her chest where the necklace lay, holding it through the wet material of her shirt. What a day. Billy left town, her car freaked out on her, and now she was being followed – in the rain, no less. She glanced nervously over her shoulder as she walked down the sidewalk to her apartment building. She regretted leaving the cell phone at home.
She saw movement in the shadows and knew someone was there. It had to be him, the man with the sunglasses. At first, she hadn’t been sure he was following her, but he seemed to keep popping up wherever she went today. She saw him near the diner, the library and various other places. Then there were the footsteps. She kept hearing footsteps wherever she walked. She refused Meg’s offer to give her a ride home from the diner. It was a big inconvenience for Meg. Nicole had more classes and errands to run. This was Meg’s short day. She couldn’t ask Meg to hang around and drive her around everywhere. Now, Nicole wished she had taken her up on the offer. She could sure use some company right now.
She hurried the last few steps to her door and forced her shaking hand to push the key into the lock. It finally slipped into the keyhole, but before she could turn it, another hand came to rest on her hand. “Miss Cameron?” A deep voice spoke near her ear.
She snatched her hand away, jerked around and saw a man and she quickly realized it was the same man sh
e’d seen outside the diner and in her rear view mirror this morning.
He had dark, brownish red hair, and was wearing a light-colored leather jacket. Nicole breathed in sharply and inhaled the scent of new leather. Dark, almost impenetrable sunglasses completed the look. “I’m sorry I frightened you,” he said, although his tone seemed less than sincere.
“What do you want?” She was amazed by how calm her voice sounded. In reality all she wanted to do was run away or scream.
“I have something to tell you. If we could just go inside.” He gestured toward the door.
“I’m listening.” She snatched her keys from the lock and turned her back completely away from the door.
“He chuckled lightly. “You’re just like your father, you know. Your real father, that is.”
“What do you know about my father?” She silently chided herself for letting her voice betray her interest.
“More than you, I’d wager.”
“That wouldn’t be difficult. If you know the man’s name, you’re one up on me.” She forced lightness into her words, eager to be in her apartment and away from this stranger.
The man leaned forward and took off his shades. His face was inches from hers, and she could stare right into his eyes. She blinked. She could have sworn his eyes were blue, but now they seemed violet. No, green. She couldn’t be sure. They seemed to be changing color right before her eyes. It was hypnotic. “I know that and much, much more.”
“What do you want?” she demanded again. The sound of people walking down the hall reached her ears.
The man turned his head in the direction of the noise. “Another time.” He looked back to her, smiling before he put his sunglasses back on and walked away.
She waited until he was out of sight before she hurriedly unlocked and opened the apartment door. Only then did she let herself breathe again. Her heart nearly beat out of her chest. She leaned against the closed door for a second before she locked every lock, including the night latch and chain.
She wished silently for David’s presence, but she wasn’t sure if she should call him. After the events of the day, her brakes failing and then the strange man coming to her door, she didn’t think he would mind if she did. She lifted her hand to her mouth to stifle a yawn. She was exhausted. Maybe she’d just lie down on the couch for a few minutes and relax. Then she would call David.
14
The ringing of the phone pierced through the thick veil of sleep and woke Nicole. She sluggishly reached for the phone, anxious to stop the irritating noise. Batting her hand around blindly, she finally made contact with the phone. “Hello,” she mumbled into the receiver.
“Hey Nicole, it’s Billy. Did I wake you?”
Her eyes drifted shut, despite how hard she worked to keep them open, and she sat up to keep herself awake. “Yeah, I guess I dozed off. Where are you?” Sitting up had helped, but she was still struggling to concentrate.
“At my apartment. I just called to tell you I got home okay and to check how you were doing.”
“It’s been a rough day, but I’m fine.”
“What happened?” he demanded.
Nicole considered her next words carefully. She didn’t want to worry him. “I had a little trouble with my car.”
“What kind of trouble?” Billy asked sharply.
“Oh, just a difference of opinion really. I wanted it to stop, and it didn’t want to.”
“What? I’m coming back on the next flight.” She heard him unzipping a suitcase, and then opening drawers.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll be fine, and you have work to do.” A knock sounded at the door. “Listen Billy, someone’s at the door. I’ve gotta go, but don’t worry. I still have David and the wolf to take care of me.”
Billy reluctantly let her go after she’d promised she would be more careful and call him if she needed anything. Dragging herself off the couch, she hurried across to the door and turned the doorknob, but for some reason, the door didn’t open. She tried again with the same results. Studying the door more closely she realized that the main lock, the dead bolt, and the chain were all in use. She fumbled with the locks. When had she done that? She hardly ever locked her door, and she usually only used the main lock when she did. Still trying to figure it out, she opened the door.
When Nicole finally opened the door, David’s expression darkened even more once he got a good look at her. Her eyes were hazy, her hair was a mess, and there was the imprint of her watch band on her cheek. “You don’t look so good.”
Nicole pushed the door shut behind him . “Gee, thanks.” She collapsed onto the couch. “I don’t know why I’m so tired. I must have fallen asleep on the couch earlier, but I never take naps, and I don’t even remember locking the door.” She yawned.
David turned her head toward him, his hand gentle against her face, and gazed into her eyes. “Nicole,” he began softly, “could you tell me what happened after your car’s brakes failed?” Mark Stephenson had told him she was fine after the accident, had just had a couple of aches and pains. So what was causing this lethargy? He should have kept a closer eye on her, or at least been her to see how she was before now.
He watched her struggling to recall her day. “I… uh… they took me to the doctor, but he said I was fine. Then I went to the diner… I think. Yeah, I went there and a few other places. Then I came here.”
“Did anything else happen?” At least he could rule out physical injuries as the cause of her current state.
“I… I don’t know. Everything’s so hazy.” She stared into his eyes, trying to focus. As she watched, she thought she saw the color of his eyes change. She blinked a couple of times. No, his eyes hadn’t changed, it had just been in her imagination, but for a second there, it seemed so real. The image of another man’s face came to mind, his eyes changing color hypnotically. Before she could get a firm grasp on the memory, it slipped away.
“Here, drink this.” David pressed a cold glass into her hands. She stared stupidly at the glass for a minute, then lifted her gaze to David’s face. She hadn’t noticed that he’d left her side and gone into the kitchen. What was happening to her? Just earlier, she’d been thinking how observant she was getting. She’d even noticed those footsteps echoing behind her.
She stumbled over that thought. What footsteps? She couldn’t remember any footsteps. Had she heard footsteps today? Why couldn’t she remember? She drank the water quickly, trying to clear her head.
David took the empty glass from her fingers, his hand lightly resting against hers. He stroked the back of her hand, comforting her. “Do you want any more?” he asked softly.
His words triggered something in her mind. “… much, much more.” She processed the words slowly, careful not to force the memory too quickly and risk losing it. The words combined with a vision of color-changing eyes in her mind. She rubbed at her eyes, willing the fogginess from her brain.
Piece by piece, she began to remember. The eyes had been hidden by sunglasses, despite it being cloudy and starting to rain. She recalled walking through the rain, and knew he was following her. Those had been the footsteps she’d heard. An image of the man fragmented at first, began to coalesce in her mind until she could see him quite clearly. The man wearing the sunglasses had followed her all day. After she’d walked home in the rain, he’d approached her apartment door, claiming to know her father. Her real father.
She lifted her head to stare at David, realizing her mind was completely clear. She was wide awake, felt energized. Quickly, she described the man she’d seen to David, telling him everything that had happened. “I don’t know why I couldn’t remember it before.”
A deep furrow between David’s eyebrows caught her attention and she realized he hadn’t said a word since she’d started talking.
David berated himself for letting her out of his sight for so long today. He should have been there for her. He couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to her. Drawing himself back from h
is thoughts, he looked at Nicole and noticed her eyes had settled on him.
Her eyes were so beautiful, revealing far more emotion than she’d ever allow her words or actions to exhibit.
She settled her warm hand on his arm and his self-control nearly snapped. Just the sensation of her fingers on his arm was enough to have him wanting to draw her into his arms and capture her lips with his. Her skin was so beautifully soft, what he wouldn’t give for the chance to explore it more thoroughly. He forcefully pushed back his desire and reminded himself of the danger she was in. This was no time to get carried away. “Where’s Billy?”
“Billy? Oh, he had to fly out this morning. He got a call from work about some job that couldn’t wait, and he caught the first flight out.”
“You shouldn’t be here alone,” he heard himself say. “It isn’t safe. Why don’t you come and stay at my place? I have plenty of room.” He told himself the only reason he wanted her to stay under the same roof was for her protection, but he knew it was a lie. Realistically, he could protect her perfectly well here at her apartment as the black wolf. Shoring up his argument, he conceded that she was more likely to be attacked here at the apartment, whereas nobody would know she was staying at his place.
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
“Nicole, I’m going to worry about you, no matter what. Nothing is going to change that. It would kill me if anything happened to you.”
A painful lump lodged in Nicole’s throat. Could she possibly believe he cared so much about her? How could he? They’d only known each other such a short time.