Creating Fire

Chapter 4, Sneaking Suspicion

Finishing up, I had managed to eat and keep down all that I had put on my plate as Liam looked at me shocked, his fork reaching to begin the next half of his plate.

‘I guess you were hungry then’?

Chugging down the glass of lemonade which had been poured for me, I felt satisfied now after all the delays this morning with that strange guy I could make it another half a day at least.

‘I don’t usually hang around for the waitress to ask if I want dessert, the longer I stay in one place the easier it is to find me’.

Nodding in thought, Liam seemed to play with his food, the way he ate making me realise just how young he was.

I knew I should not have been watching him, the moment I was caught the deep chuckle that sounded angered me, that player attitude of Liam’s coming to play.

‘Are you actually checking me out Miss dark and mysterious?  I feel flattered; maybe you should stay longer than a night’.

Grunting in response, Liam would be lucky if I didn’t punch him the face before the night was over; ‘keep dreaming player, after tonight you will never see me again’.

Getting to my feet whilst not even waiting for a response, I dumped my plate on the sink, the sink soon filling with soapy water as I rested my hands in the warm water to extinguish the heat building in my hands.

I realised too late that the water was soon boiling and failed to notice that Liam had not finished his dinner much later walking over only to see the water bubbling and hissing as I rested my hands.

‘What the hell are you doing’!

Yanking my arms from the boiling water, Liam was quick to drag me to the bathroom where he immediately turned on the cold water as high as he could get it.  Shoving my hands under the water, Liam examined them from a distance as I watched his face turn confused as he turned off the water to make sure.

I waited as he stared until he began rubbing the skin, his fingers feeling freezing against my boiling palms.

‘You’re-you’re not burnt; but how’?

I could only shrug at his foolishness, having to constantly remember I was trying to hide a secret was difficult around this man, the way he angered me made me want to do things to him which would only leave ash as remains.

Answering in a simple voice, I kept my tone light; ‘must have a thick skin or something like that.  Can I finish the washing up now’?

Liam gave a brief nod letting me walk around him.  Walking back out to the kitchen, I began scrubbing at the used plates, my hands dipping into the boiling water each time I would dip a plate.

I could feel his eyes watching me, his pupils burning holes in the back of my head; I wished he would leave me alone.

‘I still don’t get how you’re doing that; I’m a paramedic and I’ve never seen that before’.

Finishing up the few dishes, I turned around wiping my hands on the warm tea towel as I stepped out of the kitchen.

‘You haven’t seen everything then yet’.  I wanted to say wait until you see what I do next but I knew I had already pushed past a boundary I should have kept up, my hand flicking the tea towel back towards the kitchen as I heard it gently land nearby the sink.

Liam said no words after this, my legs automatically carrying me to the large bed as I slumped at the end, my arm reaching for the remote to distract myself.

LI heard Liam drag a chair near where I sat; obviously he subconsciously knew to keep his distance like most people did.

Flicking through the channels, my heart picked up pace at the sight of a reporter in the same alleyway where I had encountered Daniel only hours ago.

Turning the volume right up, I ignored whatever Liam had begun rambling about, my sole focus being on the lady as she told the story.

‘Earlier today a man was arrested upon suspected murder charges in this very alleyway.  Citizens reported hearing multiple cries which alerted them to what was happening’.

The camera zoomed in at where our fight had taken place, my mind relaying the memory like it was my last.

‘So far the suspect has been unwilling to comment but investigators believe he fired upon his victim with the small handgun which was found on his body’.

The moment the image of Daniel appeared on the screen, I could feel the anger bubbling inside once more.  He knew I would be watching, this was his way of telling me he would find me, using any resources he could get his filthy hands on.

I jerked around in surprise as I felt Liam’s hand on my shoulder; raising my hand to throw an almighty punch, I withdrew it the moment my eyes locked with his as I saw the suspicion on them.

Liam was not as naïve as I had first taken him for, I could tell he thought I was linked to the attempted murder somehow but he wanted to be sure before he made the accusation.

His voice brought me from my thoughts, the television now changing to another new story in the community.

‘Sounds like whoever that guy was chasing got away; you reckon he got a shot in before she fled’?

His question confirmed my suspicions; he knew I was linked to the news story, how many women turned up at your apartment with a bullet in their shoulder.

Unfortunately for Liam, I was not ready to give him the answer he wanted; ‘probably, I’m glad I wasn’t there to find out, mind you we are in Sydney remember, a murder happens almost every week, just hardly any make the news’.

I was glad Liam dropped the topic after that, I was grateful for what little emotions the humans around me could sense.

‘Let’s clean up and head to bed; the shower’s yours first, I bought pyjamas and all if you want them’.

 Nodding in agreement, I had never been so grateful but frustrated with a guy before.  It was going to be a long night.

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