Page 51 of Forgiving Fate

When did I close my eyes? Why do my shoulders feel heavier?

My eyes fly open and I glance back to see Landon’s black coat draped over my shoulders and him leaning over slightly to talk to me.

“I–uh–sorry,” I mutter.

“No. It’s my fault.”

Shrugging, I allow myself to calm down, and he gives me time to collect myself.

“Okay,” I say, avoiding his gaze.

“So I had a mishap the other day, and I didn’t like the place my mind went. And I know you said you can take care of yourself. And I know you have had me come over, but is it okay if we set a better plan?” His words come out at rapid speed and I struggle to keep up.

“A plan? What are you talking about?” I ask, confused.

Scrubbing his hand down his face, his shoulders bunch and the muscles in his neck twitch, causing the lines of his tattoos that peek out the collar of his shirt to move as he tries to find the right words.

“Is it possible to have a plan where, if I check in and don’t hear from you, I can come by? Or I stop by after I am away for a few days for work or family, and I don’t hear from you, I can knock on the door? And after a set amount of time has passed, if I hear nothing, I can use a key to get into the house to make sure your okay?” He started out sounding like robot Landon, but as hisrapid succession of questions came, I heard more and more of something I can’t quite place.

I can’t tell if it’s fear or something else. Whatever it is, it has to be big for him to ask something that he knows would invade my ability to take care of myself and have a sense of security that no one can get inside my house or mess with me.

“Um. I—”

“I swear it's nothing more than making sure you’re okay. I promise.” His voice is calmer and the look in his eyes tells me it’s something deeper, but I am not going to press.

Sighing, “I guess so, as long as you aren’t invading my privacy and only use the key that is in the lockbox.”

“Lockbox?”

“Yes. I installed one on the side of the house. There is a camera near it and the code changes weekly. I will give you the code when I get the notification to change it, but I will see if you go near it. So if you try something, I will see. Don’t make me regret it, Landon, because I may have been kidding about bringing you out here with the intentions of showing you this place. But I won’t hesitate to try one of those many creative ways I imagined in that basement out on you.”

His face drops and I realize in my attempt to make a silly yet forceful way of standing my ground that I just admitted to one of the many things that monster did.

Crap.

Wanting to avoid the inevitable questions that I’m sure are circulating in his head, I stand and make my way to the door.

His shoes sound behind me as I open the door to the rain coming down hard and hand Landon back his jacket.

He shakes his head and says, “Use it. I’ll be fine.”

“I–umm. Thanks.”

Situating the jacket back over my blanket covered shoulders and pulling the hood up, I go to step outside, when his voice stops me.

“I promise I won’t do anything to make you feel unsafe. Ever. This may be selfish, but I just want to make sure you’re okay. You made it too far to go out now.”

What the hell?

Before I can say anything or beg him not to pity me, he continues.

“And thanks for showing me this place. I can see why you come here. It’s…terrifying, but peaceful.” A smile spreads across his face.

All the annoyance and hesitation fade away and I feel my lips turn upwards slightly.

“You’re welcome.”

And with that, we head out of the shed and make our way back to the cabin, Landon once again, giving me space and following behind me.

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