Chapter Twenty-Seven
Summer?
“How are you feeling?” I clutch onto Detective Strode’s hand as he smiles sweetly back to me.
“Well, if I’m honest. I look a little better than you.” We both laugh as I lean back in my chair.
I gesture to the gash on my cheek, which has tiny stitches holding it all together. I wince slightly as even smiling hurts, causing it to feel like it’s about to burst open.
“OW!” I continue to laugh.
“You know you didn’t have to come visit. You should head home and get some rest.”
I shake my head, not wanting to be alone in that apartment or to see anyone. Seeing Two/Face confirmed what I already knew: I have an undeniable pull toward him. I stood between the two men I care for and felt my heart crack.
It’s morbid, it’s wrong, but I can’t help it.
“Something on your mind, kid?” Detective Strode leans in.
I blink a couple of times before shaking my head.
“No, no…I’m fine.”
He quirks his brow towards me. He can see right through my small lie and I feel my shoulders drop, letting out a low breath.
“I thought Bhodi would be here that’s all.”
A small smile crosses the detective”s face, causing the smile lines on his face to look more pronounced.
“Unfortunately, he can’t for now. He’ll have to give a statement about the shooting and what happened at the church. He can’t be seen speaking to you in case you’re seen to be getting your stories straight. It’s just procedure.”
“I know…”
“I can see how much he cares about you. Hell, I’d go even as far as to say he’s in love with you.”
My head snaps towards the detective, who merely smiles back at me. The softness in his eyes is inviting.
“I barely know him.”
“But you know enough for now, else you wouldn’t want him here.”
“I guess.” I blink a couple of times before speaking again. “Detective Strode?”
He laughs a little, waving his hand towards me.
“Summer, I think we’re past the formalities. Just call me Al.”
I smile at the kind gesture.
“Al…What do you know about Bhodi?”
“You mean personally?”
“Yeah.”
Al leans against his pillow, his eye flicker slightly as he stares ahead. I feel myself slowly lean closer when he wets his lips, as though he’s going to speak.
“That’s not for me to discuss with you Summer. I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?” I feel my voice crack slightly.
“Both Summer, some things need to come from the person it concerns.”
I try to understand his words, as though I’m trying to analyze the comment, but when I go to speak again, a knock at the door pulls our attention away.
When two patrol officers enter, Al politely greets them both.
“I guess your ride home is waiting, Summer.” He places his hand over mine and gives it a light squeeze. “Thanks for dropping in.”
Al’s eyes are kind, but I feel he’s trying to get rid of me.
Standing from the chair, I lean over and give him a light kiss on the cheek before a silent thank you in my smile as I leave.
Once I leave the hospital, the weather is bitter, and I feel my entire body shake with exhaustion and hunger. Sliding into the waiting police cruiser, I sag against the leather interior. Luckily, the officers are silent as I lean my elbow on the door and aimlessly stare out the window during the drive.
When the car pulls up onto the curb, I’m jolted awake, letting out a small gasp as my heavy eyes scan the area. The officer in the passenger seat turns around, and my mind catches up to where I am.
“Do you want us to escort you upstairs?” The young officer looks a little older than me. Her brown eyes are filled with kindness and warmth, instantly putting me back at ease.
“No, I’m ok thank you.”
Opening the door, I slide out. Glancing around the street, but it’s quiet currently. Rolling her window down, she passes me a card.
“That’s the precinct number if you need anything ok?”
I take the card and nod. “Thank you.”
Turning on my heels, I pick up the pace. Pushing the large glass door open, I stroll through the lobby, avoiding the night staff”s gaze and head straight for the elevator. Pressing the button for my floor, the doors shut instantly. I allow my body to sag against the mirror momentarily, aimlessly staring up at the floor numbers as they climb towards home.
Once the door slides open, I find myself checking behind me as I punch in the code for the apartment. Once the door clicks open, I give it a hard shove before slamming it behind me. When my back presses into the solid wood, I allow my knees to give way and slide to the floor. Letting out a heavy sigh, my head falls back into the wood as my eyes become heavier.
That smell…
Slowly opening my eyes, I inhale again. Slowly rising to my feet, I pass the kitchen and drop my bag onto the breakfast bar. My heavy, tired feet drag along the wooden floor when I find myself standing in the living room”s entrance.
A plume of cigarette smoke dances through the air. I spot the lit cherry immediately when it burns a deep shade of red. Leaning against the wall, I look at the table where the mask sits. My eyes roam the dark figure as he stands, staring out of the window. The moonlight of the city dancing off the large silhouette.
Moving through the living room, I see my reflection in the window as I approach. I know he can see it, too. Pressing my chest into his back, I lace my arms around his torso, burying my nose into his clothes, and I inhale deeply. I feel his body stiffen for a moment before he relaxes and his shoulders sag slightly. His leather-gloved hand, glides over mine.
“Who are you?” I whisper softly.
Reaching for the mask, he slides it over his face before turning to me. Taking a couple of steps back, he gently reaches out and runs the back of his hand over my cheek. My eyes flutter close, whilst a single tear escapes.
His hand moves down my neck to my arm and eventually takes my hand and interlocking our fingers as he guides me towards the single armchair in the room. Taking a seat, I watch whilst he moves to the kitchen. After a moment and some light clicking, he re-enters with two glasses and a bottle of whiskey in his hands.
Pouring two generous measures, he passes one to me, before taking his own and moving back to the chair by the window. I sit silently, with my hands wrapped around the glass. I force down the knot in my throat, Two/Face places the tumbler on the table beside him, gently swirling the glass.
“Who are you?”
I force the words out again, as he stops whirling liquid in the glass. The dark mask turns to me and I watch with bated breath, waiting for the answer I so desperately want.