I went back and forth between sleeping, and watching TV. It was getting dark outside, but Cliff and Aaron continued their conversation despite the late hour. When midnight inevitably rolled around, I wondered again what they were talking about, but if Cliff wouldn't let me listen in, I doubted he would tell me if I asked.

I must have dozed off a short time later because I woke up to hear the front door closing in the next room. The clock read 1:54am. I watched the bedroom door expectantly, waiting for it to open, but when it didn't, I got up to peek into the living room. The only light in the room was from the muted TV, playing some nature documentary. Cliff was on the couch, but I didn't see Aaron, so I assumed the front door had been him leaving for the night.

Moving closer, I could see that Cliff had fallen asleep sitting up. His eyes were closed gently, and he took even breaths every few seconds. Too awake to stay in bed, I sat in the corner opposite the couch, gazing at him thoughtfully as he slept. The more I watched the more I noticed.

He was restless. His eyebrows drew together as if he were thinking very deeply about something, and his lips pressed into a small frown. At one point, he snuffled and crossed his arms tighter across his chest. I wondered what he was dreaming about. Probably his conversation with Aaron. Or the hospital and his patients maybe? Rowen?

Me...?

The intrusive thought caught me off-guard and I blushed at my own mind, quickly denying the thought with a shake of my head. Why would he dream about me? That was absurd. I was something he picked up on a kill out of some sick curiosity. I wasn't important to him in that way. Still, I couldn't deny that one notion at the back of my mind, the theory that maybe there was something more to this than I had first believed. That maybe, just maybe, I meant something to him than a simple prize.

Why I cared if I meant something, I wasn't sure. I wasn't even sure if that was what I was really feeling, but I was feeling... jealous somehow. He had shared something with Aaron that he clearly didn't trust me to understand, and that frustrated me. Was I not worthy of his trust after everything that had happened?

I was thinking so much, I failed to realize he had opened his eyes. "How long have you been there?" he asked.

The sound of his voice threw me back into reality and I blinked at him. Then I looked away with a scowl. "I... Not long," I said.

The expression on his face was unreadable. He didn't look angry, but there was definitely a crease in his brow that denied amusement. With almost a curious frown, he said, "Come here, Zane."

I wasn't sure if I wanted to, but when he extended a hand and gestured for me to come closer, I reluctantly got to my feet. I walked to stand in front of him, wanting to express defiance but only managing to retain a scowl.

At first, he simply looked at me. Though it wasn't an abrasive gaze, I felt naked in front of him; it felt like he could see through my façade of resistance right into the pit of my soul where the real me, the scared me, hides behind walls. What was worse was the feeling that, under his gaze, my walls seemed inferior; broken. I itched to put space between us as if fearing he would know. Maybe he did know.

As I stood there, he took my hand and pulled me onto the couch with him. He shuffled me closer until my back was to his chest, and he wrapped his arms around my waist. I held my breath as the tight muscles of his arms and shoulders trapped me closer to him, making me feel uncomfortably claustrophobic yet undeniably warm. The conflict between my head and my heart left me feeling uneasy in my own skin.

As if noticing, I felt Cliff's hot breath on my neck; more like a searing heat. "You don't need to be scared. I won't hurt you," he said softly. I could feel the tip of his nose brush against my neck as he resisted the urge to nuzzle my throat.  "Just... indulge me a bit."

While he shifted to get more comfortable, I played with my fingers, trying to focus on anything but his hands on my waist. "Why should I?" I asked, daring disobedience.

Cliff didn't answer my question. Instead he replied with a question of his own. "I was wondering if you wanted to go to town with me," he said.

My breath caught in my throat. "Into town?" I asked. 

Wanting me to see his honesty, he prompted me to turn towards him. "I thought that it might be good for you to get some air," he said. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? Some space aside from the house?"

"This isn't some sick joke, is it?" I asked, suspicious.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "No. I'm being serious," he promised.

Just the very thought of going outside had me reeling with excitement. My defenses dropped instantly and I nodded like a child, too happy for words. 

Pleased, Cliff smiled at me. Then he shook a finger sternly. "You have to promise me that you will stay by my side the whole time. No trying to run off, okay?"

I nodded again, the thought hadn't even crossed my mind.

Cliff relaxed, seemingly relieved I had agreed to his proposed excursion so easily. "Alright then," he said. "We'll go tomorrow."

*******

The next day, I sat at the table anxious for breakfast to end so that we could be on our way. Cliff bugged me to eat more, but I was too excited. I would only take a small bite here and there while I waited in agony for Cliff to finish his own food.

Cliff chuckled. "You seem eager," he said, finally taking his plate to the sink.

I ignored his statement to look at the clock. "Are we going yet?" I asked.

He sighed, but it was good-natured. "Yes, yes. We'll go," he finally relented. "I got you a pair of shoes the other day. They're sitting on the end of the bed."

Not willing to waste any time, I hurried to the next room and slipped on the new shoes. I was just tying the laces when Cliff poked his head in. "Ready?" he asked.

I nodded and we left the house. Just the walk to the car had me smiling like a child. It felt good to be outside again; the air felt real and fresh as I inhaled the scent of woods. I didn't noticed, but Cliff was glad to see me happy.

Apparently, the town was pretty close to Cliff's house. The drive was short, and soon, we were pulling into a small yet quaint marketplace. However, as I turned to get out of the car, Cliff grabbed my arm. "I know you already promised me last night, but I'm going to warn you again: stay with me at all times," he said. "If you try to run, I will punish you, and you will not be allowed a second outing. Do you understand?"

I knew what he meant by 'punish' and I didn't want that. I also didn't want to lose my outside privileges. He seriousness dampened my mood, but I tried not to show it and I nodded.

Once I had agreed for the second time, Cliff released my arm and we got out of the car. With wonder, I looked around at the people and shops. I was about to step towards one that looked like a classic arcade when I felt Cliff's hand wrap around my own. I looked up, half tempted to glower and make a snappy comment about Cliff not trusting me to walk, but Cliff's expression stopped me.

He smiled. "There are more people than usual," he said, squeezing my hand. "Don't want to lose you."

I felt my cheeks flush and I looked away. "Oh," I said, and I hesitantly gripped his hand back. "Okay..."

*******

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