The Countdown

His Name Is Luke

So much had just happened that it was taking my brain a little while to process. Had I really gotten away from Lizet? Yes. That much was crystal clear as I looked over to Owen, who was driving us somewhere.

In the back of my mind I knew I was a bit of an idiot to trust a stranger, but in my defense, I had been quite sure he was my soulmate. At leas up until a few minutes ago. I glanced down at the countdown currently commencing on my timer embedded into my wrist and cringed at the thought. At the same time; however, the mating mark was still on my wrist, taunting me with what were now uncertain promises.

I needed time to figure this all out, but to do that I needed to be alone. I also needed the stupid countdown to stop trying to wreck any sort of relief I had upon finding Owen, and walking out of that retched house. Don't get me wrong, Owen seems like a good guy, but I'm not about to go and ask him what he thinks about me getting a second countdown.

I'm not a complete idiot, I thought to myself while looking out the window, the thought reminding me that I still had no clue as to where he was taking me. 

"Where are we going," I asked, but for some reason my voice refused to go above a whisper.

After clearing my throat I tried again, this time getting better results. Owen tilted his head, considering the question before he answered.

There was a moment of silence and then, "I have a friend. His name is Luke. We're going to his house," a pause as he changes lanes, "he has extra rooms, and I've been staying there while I search for a house of my own."

That would explain what he was doing looking at a house for sale. As a bit of an after thought I couldn't help but hope he didn't like it.

"Your friend Luke, he won't mind giving up an extra room for me?" I grabbed a piece of my hair and tugged nervously at it, not looking at Owen in case his expression gave away the answer. 

I worded it that way for two reasons. One, I didn't know what he'd been planning for sleeping arrangements, and two, I'd been sleeping on my own for a long time now, and wasn't in any serious hurry to change that. He didn't need to be bothered with the relentless night terrors that usually lead to me thrashing around in my bed. 

Owen glanced at me, "He won't mind."

I guess that settled that then.

***

We pulled into a long winding drive way that ended at a massive house. Not quite a mansion, but definitely more than one guy needs. I half wondered if Luke was an older guy with a family, and if he was a good dad. I wasn't sure if I wanted to see someone being a father to a young kid, especially because I had missed out, and I'd imagine it would feel weird to know I'd missed out on something. 

The lack of toys in the freshly cut lawn led me to believe otherwise though.

I grabbed my bag out of the back seat, when we came to a stop, and Owen easily lifted the suit case that mainly held books. Together we walked up the front steps. Once at the door, Owen shocked me by pulling out an impressive collection of keys and swiftly selecting one to unlock the door.

He walked inside, looking around in mild curiosity. The inside was spacious, and filled with an undeniable warmth that seemed to cling to everything. The tones were a light blue and white, which were offset by the random black sprinkled in here and there. 

Owen stopped in the living room area and pulled out his phone to check something, "he seems to have left for a short bit," a pause as he adjusted his glasses, "Would you like to settle in your room?"

He looked uncertain and I was glad to finally not be the only one. 

I gave a short nod and he lifted the suitcase, walking up an impressive set of stairs all while the weight of the load he carried didn't seem to affect him. As he walked he told me about the house. Three stories, one master bedroom, seven regular bedrooms, two and half bathrooms, an office, dining room, den, kitchen, mud room, laundry room, and a living room.

Not to mention the shed outside or basement that were both currently being renovated. I kept silent while we walked, taking in as much of the new surroundings as I could while simultaneously trying not to somehow wreck anything important. 

"Here we are," he said, stopping at a room with a door that looked like the countless others we had passed on our way to the third floor. "The bathroom is down the hall, and unless it is occupied the door is always open," he paused, considering whether or not to go on, "my door is two down on the left side, it's always open to you as well."

The words were gentle, not suggestive at all but still held meaning that I couldn't quiet identify. With that he left going down the stairs and leaving me and my ticking time bomb to settle in. I stood in the doorway to the room for a few moments, gathering my courage to step inside and somehow make it mine. At least for the time being. 

The room wasn't as extravagant as I'd seen in magazines, but it was more than my room had ever been, for sure. There was a queen sized bed, a dresser, a desk and a stereo. Next to the bed was a nightstand with a lamp on it, and in the closet I found extra bedding. The room was mostly purples and whites, and it was completely clean as if everything had just been placed here this morning. I half wanted to check the neighboring rooms to see if they also felt this clean and new, but fear of walking into a room that had someone else in it had me rooted to my own purple one. 

I put my backpack of clothes next to the dresser without unpacking them, save for a pair of pajamas that I placed on the end of the bed. With the uncertainty of how long I'll be able to stay once Owen notices my wrist, I didn't want to make packing my things a big deal if it came down to it. 

Maybe if I just hide in my room until the timer runs out, then it'll be over. I can pretend like it never happened.

The time continued to go down and down. It was going far slower than I wished it to though, so I grabbed a book and unsuccessfully tried to throw myself into the pages. Uneasiness filled my chest and by the time the clock had gotten to two minutes, I felt like panicking.