Page 69 of Petals and Fangs

I bite my lip as I take a deep breath. Why is he getting angry with me over such a simple thing? Is he alright? Do I sound like a total weirdo? No. I know I'm not.

This is silly. It's just me wanting to hear his voice, nothing more. Nothing less. But what do I get in return? Being scolded for literally keeping my phone on silent.

“Where are you now?”

“At my place. Still in the living room to be more precise,” I say, almost winking at the phone as if he can see it.

There's a moment of silence and I think he might have given up trying to talk to me since he hasn't said anything yet.

“Are you sure you are there, Lily?” he finally asks, and I nod.

“Ethan, where else would I go? In fact, why did you leave so quickly? You left most of your stuff here, including this beautiful expensive-looking watch,” I say, teasing him, as I admire the watch around my wrist. Although it is too big for me, it still looks amazing.

“Lock your doors, Lily. I will be right there.”

“Ethan, is everything okay? Are you sure you're, okay?”

“Just listen to me, Lily. Lock your front door and don't leave your place until I am there.”

“You can't scare me, Ethan.”

“I am not even trying to. Lily, please. Do as I say.”

His words send shivers down my spine. I hope it isn't because of some weird instinct I feel from him, but if it is, then there's no way I could avoid it.

“All right. Whatever you say. I'll lock my doors and wait for you.”

“Good girl,” he replies, and I smile, taking one last look at the watch before putting it away. He soon hangs up.

I check the time; it is only 10 p.m. The wind won't stop howling. I wonder what can possibly go wrong on this gloomy, rainy night.

There is a huge possibility that I'll fall sick with the flu. Or worse, I may catch a bad cold. That's not good considering I am working tomorrow and facing everyone in the office again.

I try to lay my head on the pillow and close my eyes for a bit, but suddenly there is a knock on the door. My heart starts beating faster as I jump off my bed and run to the door. I have already missed Ethan. He must be here now.

“Uh- hello?” I say as I scan the tall man standing before me. He looks strange, yet his face is so full of life.

“Oh,” he utters, smiling, and his teeth shine brightly in the dark.

“Can I help you?” I rub my eyes and turn on the lights to get a better look at him. I get a feeling that I have seen him before. It is like a déja vu.

“No, I mean yes. I am lost in this building,” he says, faking a smile. He can't take his eyes off me for some reason.

“Well, I don't know what to tell you. You should just ask someone else. I can't help you,” I say, trying to shut the door, but he stops me.

“Are you not going to ask me in for a drink?”

“You are creeping me out, man. Can you just leave? I am busy.”

“But I haven't even told you my name yet,” he says and tries to step into the house, but something stops him. It's as if an invisible force is preventing him from getting into the house.

“Look, it is late, and I should not have opened the door. So, can you kindly leave? Please.”

“But you don't have a choice,” he says, flashing his teeth at me. His teeth are pointy like Ethan's. This must be a nightmare.

“Who are you?”

“Someone who has a lot of things to tell you, Miss Snow.”

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