The Dove
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"I should just go home" I declared, feeling a sudden wave of anxiety wash over me. The looming shadows of the unknown crept into my mind, casting doubts and fears. The prospect of returning to my solitary dwelling seemed increasingly appealing. Eden regarded me carefully, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. His concern was palpable, and I knew he understood the dangers of my petite self venturing alone in the dark. "Yeah... I should really get home to sleep" trying to sound convincing. To my surprise, he agreed immediately "As you wish, but I'll be taking you home".
"No- I mean, I'm quiet capable myself" my voice cracked briefly. Giving away my cowering prowess. I looked down to my feet, attempting to escape his gaze. As I did so, more deep drunken voices could be heard from the street. Eden glanced towards the street, then back to me, my head still held low. "Its either them... or me" he whispered. I flicked my gaze towards him. He must have noticed my hesitation because he extended his long arm towards me, signaling his readiness to escort me home. His gesture was firm yet graceful, exuding an inviting warmth. Yet something about him still didn't set right in my gut.
He did sorta stalk me earlier. Following me around like a creepy lost puppy. No, worse, a wolf with its sights on prey. And there I was, the naive deer oblivious to the danger. Was I truly going to let myself fall victim to his possible predatory gaze? This stranger who'd saved me from harassment, but followed me nonetheless. I stared down at my shoes, fidgeting uncomfortably. It was difficult to maintain composure with Eden's enigmatic presence hovering over me. His intentions remained veiled beneath layers of mystery. His stoic expression gave away nothing, save for the burning intensity of his icey eyes, covered slightly by his whispy black hair. Falling perfectly over his perfect face. Almost too perfect. I couldn't help but wonder, was he from around here? Was he a tourist? He seemed to know the area well.
"I think I'd rather take my chances with a cab home" I spoke calmly, not wanting to provoke him. Who knows what he's capable of, apart from that incident earlier. He stared down at me, not speaking a word as I reached for my phone. I fumbled, moving a strand of hair behind my ear. Fuck, no service and I haven't updated my phone plan since moving. Eden must have noticed my struggle, as he tskd reaching for his own phone. Rude. "I'll call you a cab," Eden volunteered, his tone implying a sense of inevitability. He watched me closely as he navigated the screen, tapping numbers to call a taxi company. The awkward silence stretched between us, punctuated only by the occasional ringtone from the taxi line. Eden stood before me, his posture rigid and unwavering. Believe me when I say this man was massive, I may be 5 foot fuck all, but he must have been 6 foot six or something. His gaze seemed to bore into my soul, dissecting every inch of my person, exposing my hidden depths. His stare alone made me vulnerable.
He radiated confidence, an aura of power emanating from his tall, muscular form. As he held the phone to his ear, the muscles in his arms contracted, flexing beneath his jacket. Despite being in a dark alley, his silhouette stood out sharply against the backdrop. His jawline was defined, his plump lips formed an iron hard line. The call must have gone through, because Eden started speaking to the operator. As I waited I pulled out a small packet of skittles from my purse, all that alcohol made me starving. His voice was calm and composed, a stark contrast to his intimidating physical appearance. He was surprisingly patient, explaining our exact location and asking for the nearest available cab. I listened, captivated by the tranquility in his interactions. Despite his rough edges, he revealed a softer side, one that belied his tough exterior.
His next sentence shocked me. Revealing he was indeed the man I saw outside my apartment. "Yes, 615 Pere Antoine Alley". He knew my fucking address. My heart pounded in my chest, my hands trembled as I popped a yellow Skittle into my mouth, the yellow ones are the best ones in my opinion. How did he know... oh wait, he was following me duh. My paranoia spiraled, the realization hitting me like a ton of bricks. He was watching me outside my apartment, and now I knew he knew where I lived, and he obviously followed me into town. The idea of a stranger knowing my personal space sent chills down my spine. Especially one as terrifying as Eden. He hung up the phone, his expression unchanging. "Cab should be here shortly". I nodded. He observed me tipping the rest of the skittles into my mouth. Crunching loudly in the cold silence.
"Skittles huh?" Eden broke the silence, his tone hinting at amusement. I swallowed, glancing up at him. "Mhm..." I tried to feign nonchalance, hoping that my answer would be enough to end the conversation. He tilted his head to the side, observing me curiously. Whats the big deal its just candy. "Well, thankyou for calling a cab for me, have a good night" I said before turning and walking out towards the street in order to meet the taxi, whenever they showed up. As I walked I heard his footsteps following behind me. "Don't think I'm going to let you out of my sight until you're in that cab". That tone, sounded comforting but terrifying at the same time. Not that I believed he was truly going to harm me, his actions thus far had proven otherwise. Still, his intimidating persona left me wary. I could feel his gaze boring into my back, assessing me with every step. Maybe he was even giving my ass an eye up.
I sighed. "Fine, but you can't follow me home again", I turn to glare back at him. Eden offered a sly grin of knowing, that caused my heart to flutter, the sinister undertone sending ripples of unease through my veins. "Wouldn't dream of it sweetheart" he quipped sarcastically. Ugh, typical men. Though.. he wasn't tyoical. Trying to charm me into dropping my guard. His honeyed voice rang clear in the silent night, carrying a strange musicality that both entranced and alarmed me. His gravelly tones washing over me like a soothing balm. His mannerisms were simultaneously charming and unsettling, creating chaos inside my head. Once we reached the street I took a deep breath of the autum air. Crinkling up the skittle wrapper in my hand. I noticed the reddened corner from my lipstick, having rubbed off as I tore the packet open with my teeth.
I looked around for a rubbish bin but couldn't see one. Huffing I continued to hold onto it, not wanting to litter. Eden extended his large hand, palm facing upward. "Let me take that for you" he said. I glanced at him from our distanced stance on the street, standing 5 feet apart at least. "I won't litter, I'll find a trash can on my way home". I swear this man could read minds. "Thanks" I muttered quietly, handing the wrapper over to him. His fingers brushed against mine as he accepted the small piece of paper, a sensation that jolted me like a bolt of lightning. I shivered, my heartbeat quickening. The exchange of physical contact stirred unexpected feelings within me. It was as if the connection between us transcended mere proximity. Eden tucked the wrapper into his pocket, his movements fluid and graceful. He surveyed the area, his gaze scanning the streets for signs of the cab.
As the minutes ticked by, I grew increasingly anxious. The presence of strangers loomed in the shadows, casting ominous silhouettes among the dimly lit buildings. Eden stood guard, his alertness belying a strength and determination that kept me rooted beside him. "It's coming," his cryptic statement sent me into panic, until he pointed across the street to his left. I squinted, spotting the faint glow of lights flickering in the distance. As the taxi approached, Eden guided me toward the curb. The vehicle came to a stop, and he opened the door for me to enter. I hesitated, looking around nervously. "Thank you," I whispered, grateful for his attentiveness.
"Goodnight, Lyla" he replied, closing the door gently, staring at me with those piercing blue orbs that held oceans of mystery, the kind where you dive deep, but cannot reach the bottom. As the taxi pulled away. Eden stood motionless, watching the vehicle disappear into the distance. His rigid posture exuded an unwavering resilience, a forcefield that surrounded him like an invisible shield. For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was far more complex than meets the eye. A myriad of questions swirled inside my brain, demanding answers. I turned to glance at him once more through the back window, though he had now dissapeard into the cold night. The ride home was a blur of unfamiliar faces and neon lights, the cityscape melting past the window. I rested my forehead against the cool glass, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. What had initially seemed like a simple task moving to a new city and starting a new job had escalated into a chaotic whirlwind of events.
The darkness of the evening enveloped me, weighing heavily upon my shoulders like a suffocating blanket. My home with dad, a quaint two story house nestled in the heart of Virginia, felt like a distant memory. Everywhere I looked, I saw traces of Eden's imposing presence, his chilling voice reverberating in my ears. My heart hammered wildly in my chest, a relentless torrent of panic threatening to consume me. How many times had I told myself to stay grounded, focus on the mission? But here I was, completely thrown off balance by a man whose existence I hadn't even considered. What if he was in my apartment just waiting for me? He had this strange electrical aura around him, as if you could feel him enter a room, you'd be able to tell without turning to see him. And I didn't feel that right now, but I felt the remains on my skin.
I still carried his scent, that intoxicating mixture of leather and spice. I shuddered. My hands trembled, holding tightly on the doors edge. I closed my eyes, feeling a sudden surge of nausea sweep over me. The driver, a burly middle aged man named Tommy, cast curious glances at me through the rearview mirror. He sensed my discomfort, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "Everything alright miss?" he asked, his thick accent clashing with his soft voice. I forced a smile, nodding weakly. "I'm fine, thank you". Surely this wasn't normal. The tast of bile, alcohol and acidic skittles rised to the rear of my throat. I gulped, swallowing down the sickness that threatened to erupt from my stomach. I needed to be strong, to push aside the crippling fear that clawed at my insides. Eden's imposing figure loomed in my mind.
He was a paradox, a contradiction wrapped in an enigma. On one hand, he was a protector, a man who stepped in when I needed saving. On the other hand, he was a stranger, a stalker who knew my address and haunted my every move. The conflicting images of him spun in my head, causing a whirlpool of confusion and uncertainty. Was he my savior or my tormentor? Or perhaps both? As the taxi pulled up to my apartment building, I breathed a sigh of relief. Home. A sanctuary that offered refuge from the chaos of the outside world. I stepped out, walking towards my locked gate. Which thankfully, remained locked. I glanced behind me as the cab pulled away, the streetlight across the road shined on nothing but cracked pavements and the occasional bush. Thank god he didn't follow me back.
I'm tired, I'm scared, and I just want to relax. I pushed open the heavy black gate, the familiar squeak of rusted hinges greeting me. I exhaled deeply, stepping onto the cobblestone path leading to my apartment. The comforting smell of freshly cut grass filled my nostrils, reminding me of simpler times. How did things become so complicated? I climbed the steps, fumbling with my keys to open my door. My hands shook uncontrollably, each key slipping from my sweaty grip. After several attempts, I finally managed to unlock the door. With a relieved sigh, I pushed it open and stepped inside my cozy living room. The familiar scent of my lavender difuser greeting me, instantly calming my frazzled nerves. I kicked off my heels, wincing at the sharp pain shooting up my ankle. I dropped my purse to the floor with a thud, placing my keys on the hook, my snake keychain glistening slightly. I turned noticing my lamp on the nightstand was on. I walked over through the french doors and into my bedroom.
I inspected the night stand closely. A singular packet of skittles lay next to the lamp, nestled next to a white feather, from a dove perhaps. Weird, I only bought one packet while I was out, and my room was clean with all the lights switched off. This eerie sense of foreboding creeped up my spine. Shivers ran down my entire body, leaving goosebumps in its wake. I picked up the skittles, ignoring the feather, my fingertips grazing the glossy crumpled surface of the packet as I inspected it. I then noticed the red lipstick stain on the corner. The very same from earlier, though this packet was full and now sealed. I inspected it further, seeing the same expiration date. My heart sank. Now I knew this was the same wrapper I gave to Eden. I opened the packet, only to see it had been filled with yellow skittles. My favourite flavour. I paused, taking in the situation. This pshycho really took the wrapper, picked out yellow skittles from another bag to fill this one, resealed it, then broke in to my apartment to leave them for me to find with some random dove feather.
Was this some sort of sick joke? Was I having some sort of fever dream? I pinched myself, wincing at the burn that shot up my arm. It hurt but it brought me back to reality. This was happening. He had somehow broken into my apartment, and left me a gift that seemed to mock me. I realized the depth of my naivety. I had hoped that I would never see Eden again. My life was already complicated enough without having to worry about a stalker lurking in the shadows. I clutched the packet in my small trembling hand, heading for the kitchen. I thrashed open the trash can, dumping the skittles inside, along with all my worries and fear. I quickly closed the bin, as if the candies were going to jump back out and bite me. I placed my hands on the counter, gripped tightly. I long sigh escaped my pursed lips.
A wave of exhaustion washed over me, dragging me towards my bed. Maybe I could sleep this off, maybe it was all a dream and I'd wake up to my normal life again. My legs felt like cement blocks and my eyelids weighed down like anvils. I walked towards my bedroom, the carpet cushioning my heavy steps. My eyes fluttered shut, the soft light of the moon bathing my room in ethereal hues. I stripped off my dress, leaving them scattered on the floor like forgotten memories. As I slipped under the covers, I could smell Eden's lingering scent wafting through the air. I buried my nose in the pillow, hoping to erase the scent permanently. He doesn't exist. He doesn't.