Chapter 25 #3
She continues walking toward her building, all the while holding her phone out, perhaps thinking about what to write.
All at once, she stills, then turns to look behind her.
Quickly, I duck between two buildings before she could see me following.
Dots appear in the chat as I wait to hear footsteps continue toward her apartment.
Princess: Please tell me more about my brother.
Before I overthink it, I give my sweet girl what she continues to press. One piece at a time, I tell myself.
Pawn: Your brother was a good man. Pay attention to who you surround yourself with. In time, you’ll learn things others have tried to keep hidden. Don’t believe what you haven’t seen with your own eyes.
I peek around the corner to find Cindel frozen in place.
Without warning, she takes off like a rocket, running down the street, one hand on top of her hat, while her bag bounces aggressively with each stride.
She may be fast, but I’m faster. My girl likes playing and I’m here for it.
Her pounding footsteps slow as she reaches her building and slips inside.
Once I see the windows brighten from the third story of her building, I know she’s safe.
I picked this out earlier, when I was watching her finish out the night.
Within range, I connect to her little earbud and hit play.
Our covert way of communicating is still nestled in her ear as the upbeat song, “All Day and All of the Night” from the English rock band The Kinks, streams from the playlist. I’m not good with words.
Lyrics have a way of conveying my message better than I ever could.
As if on cue, her silhouette appears within the lit window.
Turning to her side, I get a glimpse of her perfect body.
I step from my hidden position allowing her to see I’m here.
Clad in black, I was a mere shadow beneath the streetlamp.
She raises her chin like it was some unannounced game of chicken, as the song continues to play for her.
Slowly she begins unbuttoning her shirt.
Is she? No, she wouldn't. Slowly, she moves down each button until she’s at her navel.
I move. Not toward her, but away. Back into the shadows.
She pauses the progression, unbuttoned completely but still covered.
I’m like a moon in her orbit. Pulling away was damn near impossible.
However, I won’t let any passersby see what's mine. Far enough away she can’t see me; Cindel pulls her curtains closed almost instantly.
She may have won this round, but there won’t be any room for her to be a brat next time.
If I thought having any part of her would dull this steady craving, I would be lying. Not having my hands running through her hair or cupping her ideal breasts is causing me physical pain.
Micro-sized nanny cams give me a portal to Cindel as I watch her shuffle about her apartment before settling into her bed. As her movements cease, chest slowing to a steady rhythm; I can’t help this protective feeling that comes over me.
Anger bubbles to the surface as I consider past events and all the pain she has faced.
If she only knew these, accidents that have befallen her were intentional.
The mental anguish would poison her gentle spirit.
I’m no saint either… solely responsible for at least one of the atrocities and because of that… I’ll never be the same.
How will she see me once she knows? Can she survive all these truths as she unknowingly unravels them? Will she still want me then?
Her leg kicks out from the sheet as she repositions herself.
I toy with the idea of going over there and joining her in bed but think better of it.
Sometimes she has trouble sleeping. She’s exhausted.
I’ll wind up giving this poor girl an embolism if I keep up with all these unexpected encounters.
The carved walking stick I gifted her in the Catskills, is just under her bed.
It makes me wonder if she’s grown sentimental or if it's simply within reach to club anyone who invades her home.
Which will only be me, from here on out.
Time isn’t on anyone’s side right now. Others want answers, and I don’t think Cindel has uncovered enough to keep herself safe.
She’s running headfirst toward the danger…
she just doesn’t know it yet. I need to do something to point her in the right direction.
If Cindel doesn’t learn about what really happened to her brother, she’s going to wind up just like him.
I’m not going to let that fucking happen.
Things are different now. I couldn’t give two fucks about what I was brought up to do.
Whether or not I was refined to be a weapon.
My father has been tirelessly planning. His first play was the explosion. What a fortuitous turn of events, to have landed this jewel in my lap.
From the moment I laid eyes on her, she had a hold on me. She’s been ingrained into every cell in my body, no longer am I able to follow my directive. Now it’s time to shed some light on what her family is capable of.