Page 23 of Threads of Fate

Just as I’m thinking to call Noah I hear his truck rumbling up the dirt road. I stand up and lean against the railing, still sipping from my coffee. He pulls up and hops out of the truck. With a pep in his step and a soft smile on his face. He stares me down with a predatory gaze as he walks up the porch. When he reaches me he grabs the side of my neck and tilts my head up with his thumb. He stares at me for a moment before he leans down to kiss me. He kisses slowly and sweetly and then pulls back.

“Do you have to go to work?”

“Did you?” I smile at him. He shakes his head and plants a kiss on my temple.

“Yes, my dad would have killed me otherwise. I already asked for yesterday off.”

“Ahh, I was wondering about that this morning and you dad would never. Your parents love you more than literally anything.”

Noah steps back and heads toward the front door. “Hmm, maybe but I don't want them to ground me.”

I laugh and follow him inside.

“You about ready to go pick up your car? Are you staying here again?”

“I’m ready when you are and yes, I would definitely like to stay again. I haven't slept so well in the longest time.” I walk over to the kitchen and place my cup in the sink. “After work I’m going to stop at the house and grab more clothes and my makeup.”

“I don’t want you going to the house by yourself. What time is your last appointment? I’ll meet you. I’m almost done for the day.”

“My last appointment is at three. So, I should be at the house before four.”

“Okay, I’ll be there waiting.”

“Okay.” I walk over to him and press a kiss to his lips. “We should go though. So I’m not late. My first guy is particular and doesn't like tardiness.” I head to the truck, hopping down the porch steps to the truck. I hop in and buckle up. Noah slides in and starts the truck.

The drive was fast. Faster than usual, probably because I didn’t want to leave Noah. I look up at my house. It doesn’t look foreboding.

“I gotta grab keys. Wanna come with?”

“Of course, Doll.”

“Doll?”

“Still trying to find the right name.” He says getting out of the truck. I get out too and round the front of it. Heading towards the front door.

“You’ve been through like 6 names in the last day. If even that. I liked Nix.”

“Did you? I do too but is it really us?” We reach the door and he opens it. A sense of foreboding surrounds me. Maybe it’s just my anxiety about being in my own house now? Or maybe something is lying in wait. Either way I run to the key holder, grab my keys and run back out. I close the door and run down the stairs to my car bypassing Noah. I turn around and Noah is making his way towards me with a large smile. He’s laughing at me. The asshat.

“Gods, you know that feeling you get when you turn off the lights in your house and it's dark and your brain conjures monsters that are chasing you down? The panic and your back cramps up and you have the urge to flee? That is the feeling.” I walk to the driver's side of my car.

“I do know that feeling.” He nods at his own statement, “We’re going to figure this out I promise.”

“You can’t promise that Noah. No, one can.” I shift my eyes to look at my house. Looking bleak and haunted. Or maybe that’s just my pessimism about this whole situation. “Anyways, I need to get to work. I will meet you here after I get off.” I unlock my car and hop in. Noah bends down, holding the door open and gives me a kiss.

“See you later Munchkin.”

“No, no, absolutely not.” He just laughs deeply and shuts my door. I start the car and head off towards work.

I’ll grab some more books from the basement too while I’m at the house like Noah suggested. Maybe I’ll find more information or codes. Something, anything would be nice. If I could just talk to someone who knows about this, that would be amazing but the thought of trying to find whoever started this portal in my house sounds like a bad idea. Involving crazy zealots or the government or whomever is behind this is always a bad idea. It also sounds like it would take longer than I have and nearly impossible.

When I get to work I have enough time to set up my station and make sure it’s clean. Just as I’m wiping down the seat my first client comes in. He’s an older gentleman. Kind but particular.

“Hey, Frank. Come on over, I can get you started.” He nods and sits in the chair. “The usual Frank?”

“Yes, please Dana. How are you doing?”

“I’m doing well, nothing exciting around here.” I lie like a rug but what am I supposed to tell him? ‘I have been seeing ghosts who want to kill me and shadows that scare me and life is a general shitshow?’ I think not. “How are you? I hope all is well.” I start shaving the sides of his head and make sure I go around his ears just like how he wants. This is where I fucked up the first time he came to me. He had no problem telling how he wanted it done.

---