Chapter 4
Sitting in the chair as my eyes watched the blank walls for some sign of life, the man had remained silent for the last ten minutes after letting out a womanly shriek at seeing my shoulder.
I had to admit, this whole situation was new to me, never had I recruited the help of someone, especially someone so young.
This guy apparently knew some first aid which would work in my favour to clean up this mess. After having to convince me he was only going to get his first aid kit from his car with me stalking him like a hawk from the window, here we were.
Apparently the silence was bothering the man though, and obviously he felt the need for some sort of interaction.
‘I apologise for what I said to you before; my friend and I spat a lot as you can probably tell. My name is Liam’.
That was obvious without him even telling me, the moment his fingers touched my shoulder, the muscles tensed up and a small hiss escaped my lips.
‘This looks like a bullet wound; did you have your own spat with a boyfriend or something’?
Mumbling, I would need to be careful what I told this stranger, he could repeat it to anyone and it could get back to the people after me.
‘I wish it were that simple’.
Thinking about my answer, Liam pried at my wound before I felt him step away.
‘You should really take this to the police, whoever did this sounds like a crazed killer’.
My voice betrayed me, my words almost cutting off what Liam had to say.
‘The police cannot know. It’s-it’s complicated’.
I could almost hear the cogs in Liam’s mind turning, his mind trying to work out the puzzle he had in front of him.
‘I never got your name by the way, are you from around here’?
Could he be trusted with my real name, I would know who to find if this did all turn sour.
‘My name is Scarlett, I did live here for a short time but I am planning to leave tonight once I am done here’.
I was glad Liam had got dressed, his boxers proving to be a distraction even to me. His hands were once again back prodding at my shoulder but this time I could feel a cool gauze of some description against my skin.
‘Why are you leaving so suddenly’?
Lim was not going to stop until I gave him the answers he wanted. I didn’t approve of killing innocents such as himself but if it come to it, I guess I would have to make that sacrifice.
‘I cannot tell you anymore, the moment you met me you signed your death warrant, no one can know who am I or that I was here’.
My wound stung from whatever substance was on the gauze, ym hands clenching on the basis thinking about it.
‘Sorry, I should have warned you’.
Gritting my teeth, the pain was becoming numb again, the wound throbbing as whatever substance it was used its magic to help heal.
Turning so one side of my face was showing to Liam, his eyes seemed to follow my movements.
‘Don’t be. I never should have come here in the first place’.
It was harsh but It was the truth, I could have been on my way out of town by now and this stranger was slowing me down.
Watching as Liam began packing up what supplies he had pulled from his bag, I rose to my feet now turning so I could see my shoulder in the mirror, my skin having few other flaws to compare with.
Running my fingers along the gauze, the tape held the white sheet to my shoulder. I knew it would scar, I would never be so lucky for it to heal completely. It was time to leave.
Dropping my hand, I turned to Liam, his eyes watching me again, his stare leaving me unsettled.
‘Thank you for helping me. I am afraid it is my time to leave, I must reach my house before nightfall’.
The small frown that formed on Liam’s face did not go unnoticed, for some odd reason it seemed like he liked my company, even wanted it.
‘Let me help you’.
The pitch of his voice warmed my heart, the angry guy I had met before dissolving. Pulling my gaze from Liam, I picked up my old shirt about to throw it over my head.
Liam obviously had other ideas, his hand grasping my wrist as I went to throw the shirt over my head.
‘You’re not leaving alone. Whoever did this to you is only going to try again and you know it’.
I exhaled a short breath, my nostrils flaring at this man’s disobedience. I had kept my anger in check until now but Liam was beginning to push boundaries he didn’t even know existed.
Keeping my voice level, I pulled my wrist from his grip, my finger now pointing accusingly at him.
‘You have no idea what you’re saying; if you knew what was good for you, you would go back to your quiet life and pretend you never even met me’.
Huffing, this time Liam did not stop me as I pulled my shirt back on. I could see in the corner of my eye, his eyes watching me with an unreadable emotion playing on his features.
I had thought he had given up, I had only hoped he would let me pass now.
Taking a step around Liam, I could feel the flames urging to be let out, the heat gathering under my skin.
Apparently the boy had not learnt his lesson, his hands grabbing my shoulders as he held me in place.
He looked determined now, his brows creased in concentration as he studied me.
‘If you insist on parting ways, fine; but you will stay here the night though, you are in no shape to be wandering the town trying to get to this place you call ‘home’.
A silent challenge passed between us, I could see deep down the man knew better and he could sense I was dangerous to be around. This simple fact did not deter him though, his eyes staring into mine challenging me to argue with him on the matter.
He was waiting for me to look away, for me to give in and agree but as the heat travelled up my arms to burn where he touched, his hands soon recoiled from the heat, his gaze breaking from mine.
‘You sure are hot tempered, literally. I am not backing down on this though, tomorrow morning I will let you leave but for tonight let me help you just that little bit extra’.
Growling as I tried to calm the fire burning inside; I looked away like he wanted my head dropping as I submitted to this man’s rules.
Muttering under my breath, I knew Liam had heard what I said, ‘fine, just one night then’.
The satisfaction that soon took over his features made me want to gag at the thought of having to be in the company of a male for so long, my stomach doing strange summersaults at the thought.
Liam stepped aside for me to leave the bathroom, his hand gesturing for me to enter the room I knew I would regret staying in.
I could hear him tutting about my sudden frustration, his cheeky grin bothering me.
‘Geez girl, you’d think with the way you’re fired up I had asked you to be my bed warmer. It is only one night, remember that’.
I sat at the small dining table, the feature being something had not noticed when I first entered this room many hours ago.
I could tell it was dark outside now, the crickets singing their usual tune around this time after sunset.
Liam had ever so gratefully given me one of his shirts to keep, saying it was ‘something to remember him by’ or some corny line like that.
I could smell the strong detergent he used now seeping into my skin, the smell intoxicating even to me.
At the sound of the door opening, I rose to my feet ready to attack if anyone but Liam entered.
Seeing his slim body step through the entrance I relaxed again, my eyes scanning the items he carried in both hands.
The scent of some sort of Chinese food wafted in my direction, the saliva building on my tongue from the mere thought of food.
Chinese food had its own unique taste, the plastic containers barely visible through the plastic bag.
I could see Liam give a brief smile at my interest, a few other bags being balanced in the same hand as what I assumed was meant to be dinner.
‘Hope you like Chinese, there isn’t much else close by’.
Shrugging, I was honestly surprised the man even wanted to feed me after I had brushed him off every opportunity he tried to get closer to me.
Watching as he dumped the bags on the table, he took one I recognised as one of the Big W chain stores, my eyes only getting a brief glimpse of the fabric inside.
The bag was easily dropped over near the bed as Liam quickly returned to reveal the plastic containers of goodness from the other bag.
‘I didn’t know what you liked, so I got a bit of everything, hope you don’t mind’.
I sat silently, watching and waiting until I was allowed the food. I watched as Liam went away towards the kitchenette area, his hands rummaging through the cupboards until he produced plates and cutlery.
Placing the large plate in front of me, Liam didn’t waste time cracking open the first container of food, the smell of honey chicken assaulting my nostrils.
‘Here, I figured you’d probably like this one, take what you want and I’ll open the others’.
Lifting my hand to take the container, this was the nicest gesture anyone had ever done for me, the kindness from this man I originally judged as a player seeming odd.
Stuttering as I began shovelling some food onto my plate, I let a small smile slip onto my features.
‘Thank you’.
Liam returned his own smile, more containers been passed my way before I could finish with the first.
‘Think of it as an apology for being such an ass earlier’.
Soon enough my plate was piled up with Chinese, the various flavours of honey mixed with the fried rice, vegetables and Mongolian lamb as well as a few others I could not put a name to waiting for me to eat.
Taking the fork, I did not wait for Liam to say anything, my body’s needs controlling my movements.
Rach mouthful helped fill that empty pit I called my stomach, the organ used to going without food for days when I was on the run.
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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