no one will not
believe that I am a Death Crusader too.”
“So why didn’t you get that
good lawyer?”
“Stop trying to distract me.
You’re going to give me those pictures so why not make it easy on both of us
and just give them to me?”
I try not to glance at his
waistband or to make it obvious I’m thinking about his gun. Mine is sitting out
of reach on the corner of my bed. No way can I get my hands on it before he can
draw his and drill me in the head. When Mark first showed up I was relieved,
the terrified, then relieved all over again. But now that he is showing his true
colors my fear is revisiting me with a vengeance. I don’t think I can count on
another ‘friend’ to burst through that door and save me this time. This one is
going to be up to me.
“Hello…Jennifer, the pictures
please.”
Mark takes a step towards me like
he’s trying to close the distance between us without spooking me. I sit still
racking my brain, trying to figure out how to get out of this one. Why
shouldn’t I give them to him? If he has them that means I’m no threat and he
can leave me alone. He’ll probably burn them and leave.
“What will you do with them?”
I ask.
“Burn them of course. I can’t
chance them seeing the light of day, now can I?”
“I won’t use them against you
Mark. I’ve had them for like two years and I haven’t done a thing with them and
I won’t unless you turn on me. If you can just leave me alone you’ll never have
to worry about them getting to the police.”
“What, am I supposed to risk
my life on the word of an ex-girlfriend who doesn’t like me? That’s a huge and
unnecessary risk.”
On the word risk, he lunges
across the bed, grabbing for my legs. Rather than trying to get away I kick as
hard as I can, successfully batting his arms aside. He draws back and smiles
grimly. I can tell he thinks this is a game between us. He hasn’t gotten serious
with me yet. When he does he may just pull his gun on me and make my life
really difficult. But for now he contents himself with making these half-assed
grabs at my legs.
“Come on Jen, why you gotta
play hard to get? Just cough up the pics and be done with it.”
“Why can’t you just trust me?
Have I ever given you reason not to trust me?”
“You broke into my house
twice to get evidence on me. I’d say that’s a pretty non-trusting thing to do.”
“And you harassed me
for...forever. You’re the one with issues here. And besides-”
A soft knock on the door puts
an end to our conversation.
“Are you expecting company?”
He whispers, taking out his gun.
I shake my head no and grab
for my own gun. He opens his mouth to object but decides not to. Instead he
points to my gun. “You maybe should take the safety off this time and chamber a
round.”
I give him my most annoyed
look in my arsenal and do as requested. More knocking. This time louder, more
insistent.
“Go ahead and answer.” Mark
whispers.
“Who is it?” I ask.
Mark positions himself to the
right side of the door so when and if it opens they won’t see him at first. He
motions with his gun for me to get out of sight.
“Room service.” The person on
the other side of the door calls out.
“I didn’t order any room
service.” I call out.
“It’s a courtesy call for our
preferred guests. Just a platter of snacks, that’s all.”
“Great, why don’t you leave
them at the door for me?” I reply.
“Sorry ma’am but someone else
will probably take them. It’s a nice platter actually.”
“I’ll take my chances.” I
reply.
“As you wish.” The stranger
says.
I take a deep sigh of relief.
I really thought it was some kind of assassin or something. After all that’s
happened since I came into town you can’t be sure.
“Thanks.” I call out.
I hear the clatter of trays
outside my door. I stick my gun in my waistband and go to the front door to
open it.
“Stop!” Mark hisses.
I shoot an annoyed look in
his
believe that I am a Death Crusader too.”
“So why didn’t you get that
good lawyer?”
“Stop trying to distract me.
You’re going to give me those pictures so why not make it easy on both of us
and just give them to me?”
I try not to glance at his
waistband or to make it obvious I’m thinking about his gun. Mine is sitting out
of reach on the corner of my bed. No way can I get my hands on it before he can
draw his and drill me in the head. When Mark first showed up I was relieved,
the terrified, then relieved all over again. But now that he is showing his true
colors my fear is revisiting me with a vengeance. I don’t think I can count on
another ‘friend’ to burst through that door and save me this time. This one is
going to be up to me.
“Hello…Jennifer, the pictures
please.”
Mark takes a step towards me like
he’s trying to close the distance between us without spooking me. I sit still
racking my brain, trying to figure out how to get out of this one. Why
shouldn’t I give them to him? If he has them that means I’m no threat and he
can leave me alone. He’ll probably burn them and leave.
“What will you do with them?”
I ask.
“Burn them of course. I can’t
chance them seeing the light of day, now can I?”
“I won’t use them against you
Mark. I’ve had them for like two years and I haven’t done a thing with them and
I won’t unless you turn on me. If you can just leave me alone you’ll never have
to worry about them getting to the police.”
“What, am I supposed to risk
my life on the word of an ex-girlfriend who doesn’t like me? That’s a huge and
unnecessary risk.”
On the word risk, he lunges
across the bed, grabbing for my legs. Rather than trying to get away I kick as
hard as I can, successfully batting his arms aside. He draws back and smiles
grimly. I can tell he thinks this is a game between us. He hasn’t gotten serious
with me yet. When he does he may just pull his gun on me and make my life
really difficult. But for now he contents himself with making these half-assed
grabs at my legs.
“Come on Jen, why you gotta
play hard to get? Just cough up the pics and be done with it.”
“Why can’t you just trust me?
Have I ever given you reason not to trust me?”
“You broke into my house
twice to get evidence on me. I’d say that’s a pretty non-trusting thing to do.”
“And you harassed me
for...forever. You’re the one with issues here. And besides-”
A soft knock on the door puts
an end to our conversation.
“Are you expecting company?”
He whispers, taking out his gun.
I shake my head no and grab
for my own gun. He opens his mouth to object but decides not to. Instead he
points to my gun. “You maybe should take the safety off this time and chamber a
round.”
I give him my most annoyed
look in my arsenal and do as requested. More knocking. This time louder, more
insistent.
“Go ahead and answer.” Mark
whispers.
“Who is it?” I ask.
Mark positions himself to the
right side of the door so when and if it opens they won’t see him at first. He
motions with his gun for me to get out of sight.
“Room service.” The person on
the other side of the door calls out.
“I didn’t order any room
service.” I call out.
“It’s a courtesy call for our
preferred guests. Just a platter of snacks, that’s all.”
“Great, why don’t you leave
them at the door for me?” I reply.
“Sorry ma’am but someone else
will probably take them. It’s a nice platter actually.”
“I’ll take my chances.” I
reply.
“As you wish.” The stranger
says.
I take a deep sigh of relief.
I really thought it was some kind of assassin or something. After all that’s
happened since I came into town you can’t be sure.
“Thanks.” I call out.
I hear the clatter of trays
outside my door. I stick my gun in my waistband and go to the front door to
open it.
“Stop!” Mark hisses.
I shoot an annoyed look in
his
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