Page 20 of The One

“How long do you think they’ll be gone?” I glance toward the door. Abel and Nikolai left to either give us some alone time or to talk about things they didn’t want us to hear.

“Why?”

“Would it be terrible if I wanted to peek around here?” I ask. I'd kind of planned on doing it the next time I was alone.

“No, I think it’s fair.”

“Fair?”

“You heard them. They dug into your life, so turnabout is fair play.”

“You’re right.” I jump up. “I love girl math.”

“It’s the only math I like.” Riley puts the kitten down. He follows us around. “This place is pretty open.” It is, but there are a few doors.

“That’s the bathroom.” I motion toward the sliding door. “Guess we tried these.”

“Shall we try door number one?” Riley motions to one. “Two.” Then another. “Or three!”

Doors one and two won’t open. They are sealed shut. I notice a screen next to it. “Locked.” I tap it.

“Yeah, one is probably an office, and the other maybe a safe or weapons room.”

“A what?” I ask, confused.

“Let's go for three.” Riley doesn’t answer me, instead going to the final door. It opens. “A closet.”

“Very anti-climactic.” I laugh. “Not that I’m still not going to snoop in it.” The closet is almost the size of a bedroom, but what I see has my stomach dropping, a sense of dread settling in.

There are rows of hanging clothes and shelves of shoes, which is normal for any closet. The problem is, they are all women’s. My eyes continue to scan the room. I think I might be in shock. Abel said there was no one else. I quickly head over to the drawers and begin opening them. My stomach turns more with each revelation.

“Let’s not jump to any conclusions.” Riley tries to reassure me.

“Regardless of who she is, she has a badass nail polish collection.” I run my fingers along the bottles.

“Jesus, that's a lot of nail polish,” Riley says, peering over my shoulder. I shut the drawer.

“Fuck.” I hear grumbling, making both Riley and me spin around to see Abel standing in the doorway to the closet.

“Maybe Nikolai and I should go.”

“No.” I grab Riley’s hand. “I’ll come with you.”

“Not happening.” Abel’s whole body goes visibly tense. I stomp over to him.

“You’re not the boss of me.” I poke my finger into his chest. Abel drops his eyes to it.

“Maybe let's not poke the bear,” Riley suggests from behind me.

“I’ll poke him all I want.” I do it again. Abel’s hand shoots out, grabbing mine.

“Oh crap,” Riley whispers.

Maybe I should be scared of Abel, but I’m not. Even when I notice a few spots of blood on his shirt. “Did you kill Nikolai?”

“I’m out here,” Nikolai calls.

Abel lifts my hand, which he still holds, and kisses the tip of my pointer finger. “Don't do that.” I try to jerk my hand back, but it obviously doesn’t work. “I’m pissed at you, and I’m leaving.” There, I told him.

---