Code Name Shadow

Chapter 10

How do I feel about that? As much as I want to get defensive and tell him I don't need a babysitter, a bigger part of me knows that I would definitely be able to sleep better knowing he's there.

Finally, I nod. "Yeah, I'd be okay with that." I smile. "But wait, you still wouldn't have a ride home tomorrow."

"Way ahead of you." he smiles. "I know you're not ready to talk about it yet, but that guy following you is some serious shit. I was thinking of calling Damien and Cohen to see if they would run some surveillance and keep a few extra eyes on the house and area. How would you feel about that?"

Even though I don't really know anyone but Cody, Beck gave me his other teammates names for a reason. If he and Cody trust them, then so should I. "I'd be okay with that." I say.

He smiles and grabs my keys. "Let's be on our way then, shall we?"

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Luckily, Cody lives pretty close to me. I had never been to his neighborhood before, but it turns out it's only about ten minutes from my house.

On the drive over he calls his teammates and fills them in on the situation. I don't say a word and lean my head against the window, letting the exhaustion from today fully sink in. it's just now that I realize I still haven't had dinner, but I can't find it in me to care. I just want to go to bed.

When we get home Cody walks protectively behind me as I go into the house. The second I step through the door I instantly feel more at ease. There's something about being back in the safety of my own home that lifts all of the weight from my shoulders and for a minute, the world doesn't seem as terrifying.

I turn to face Cody and find him already staring at me. "Are you okay with sleeping on the couch tonight?"

"Absolutely." he says without hesitation. Nodding, I walk down the hallway to the closet and grab two blankets.

"Here you go." I say, handing the blankets to him as I come back into the living room. "It's not supposed to be cold I don't think so that should be enough, but if you get cold help yourself to anything else in that closet."

He smiles and gives me a look that I can't quite decipher. Gratitude? Confusion? I honestly have no clue, but I'm too drained to figure it out tonight. "Thank you, Brielle. I'm sure this will be fine. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." I reply, turning on my heel and heading towards my room. With one hand on the doorknob, I pause before entering and turn back to face him. "Hey Cody?"

He looks up from where he's putting the blankets on the couch. "Yeah?"

I flash him a smile. "You uh- you can call me Bri."

Not waiting for his reaction, I finally go into my room and settle down beneath my covers. Sleep takes me in a matter of minutes, and for the first time in months, I sleep through the night without a single nightmare.

I wake up the next morning to the smell of pancakes. I sit up in bed and stretch, feeling more well rested than I have in a long time. Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed and putting on my slippers, I stand and make my way to the door. For the first time in days I have a real, genuine smile on my face and I'm excited to go and talk to the person who put it there.

Just as I get to the door, I stop. While I had expected to hear Cody's voice, there was another voice as well. Who the hell is in my house? It wasn't Beck's voice, and it wasn't one I recognized.

As much as I trust Cody, I'm still a little on edge from last night and the thought of some stranger in my house while I was sleeping makes me nervous. While I'm sure it's nothing, I still walk over to my desk and grab a pencil. It might not be the strongest or most effective weapon, but hey – at least I would be able to stab someone with it and buy myself some time if need be.