I nod and slowly sit back down on the couch, or rather slump down. "Don't call me kid, I have a name," I say after a minute or two of silence.
"What is it then?" he asks politely.
"Colin," I say simply. I don't know if it's a good idea yet to give my last name.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Colin," he responds and offers his hand while I shake it. No shivers this time, but it's still very cold.
"What's your name?" I have to know.
He really smirks this time and leans back. I realize he's been sitting in a chair in front of the couch beside the thick oak coffee table. It looks like a kitchen table chair. Had he been sitting in there before watching me sleep? That's kind of creepy.
"Felix," he replies.
I can't help it. I laugh out loud but then quickly try to stifle it into my hand. He doesn't quite frown but the smirk drops. I feel horrible…almost.
"Sorry, I just didn't expect that."
"What did you expect?"
"I don't know…one of those dark old names like Silas or Thaddeus or something."
"Thaddeus?" He chuckles at that and it was like a spell had been broken, as he seemed nothing more than human then. He sighs and shakes his head this time. "You are a strange kid."
"Right, well, I should probably go now," I say with a careful small smile and stand up. He mimics my movements and I feel cautious, eyeing him briefly before moving past him towards the front door.
"Of course," he replies calmly following behind me.
I took that moment to really get a good look around his apartment or from what I could see of it. I feel a bit disappointed that it looks completely normal if a little traditional and…European? The walls are still white. Not much of a decorator I suppose. I can't say much though since our apartment looks cluttered and random. Nothing matches.
I open the door and pause before I step out. I turn around to face him and almost jump out of my skin but instead take a step back. He stood less than a foot from me. "Thanks, uh, I guess I'll see you around."
"I guess so, Colin." His eyes almost twinkle then.
"Right, well, bye!" I say before making a dash for the elevator down the hall. I could not get out of that odd and creepy situation faster.
When I get inside my own apartment, I lean against the door a moment to catch my breath. I wheeze a little my body not appreciative of the workout and press a hand against my chest to feel my heart beating faster than it should. I need to calm down. Several gulps of oxygen later, I've slowed down enough to make my way towards the sofa. My mother is passed out on it still in her skirt and blouse. I glance at the digital clock on the VCR/DVD player. 9:48 pm. How long was I out? I look back at my mother and sigh. I pull off one of her heels that hadn't quite escaped like the other and move her legs carefully so that they are both on the couch. I remove the dark blue throw on the back of the couch and drape it over her. I kiss her temple and smile before I make my way to my room too tired to do anything else.
Once in my room, I slip right out of my slippers leaving them behind as I make my way to my bed. The lights are off but I know where everything is. I fall unceremoniously into my pillow and shift around until I'm under the blankets. I'm ready for sleep but just as I fall into it I remember I left my printed papers on Jellyfish. Crap.
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