CLAWS WIDE OPEN

CHAPTER THREE

I swung open the front door to find Sarah, my best friend since high-school beaming, a bottle of wine held aloft. Her bright smile and sparkling eyes radiated infectious enthusiasm, and her curly blonde hair bounced with each excited gesture.

"I brought this to celebrate!" she exclaimed. "Tell me, how was Caleb? Am I a matchmaking angel or what?"

I chuckled, stepping aside to let her in. "Come on in, Matchmaker Extraordinaire."

Sarah settled onto the couch, setting the bottle on the coffee table. Her petite frame and colorful outfit – a vibrant floral blouse and distressed denim jeans – added to her lively, energetic vibe.

As she leaned in, her bright blue eyes sparkling with curiosity, I couldn't help but notice the thick, melodic lilt of her Scottish accent growing more pronounced. "Spill!" she urged, her voice bubbling over with enthusiasm, the word sounding more like "Speeel!"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal, and busied myself in the kitchen chopping the vegetables for the stir fry.

"Caleb's very cute, I'll give you that," I said ,glancing at Sarah.

Sarah's grin broadened. "I knew it! See? I told you you'd like him"

I held up a hand and I continued, "But...... something feels off about him." Sarah's grin faltered

"What do you mean?" I struggled to articulate my unease. "He's intense," I said finally.

Sarah leaned in. "Intense, as in passionate?"

I shook my head. "No, intense as in.....unsettling."

Sarah's brow furrowed. "Did he try something funny? Do I need to kill somebody?" Sarah's expression turned serious.

I hastily reassured her. " No, no, It's hard to explain. "

Sarah's eyes locked onto mine her voice firm."Try."

"It's like...déjà vu," I said finally.

Sarah's confusion deepened. "You've met him before?"

I shook my head. "No, it's not that. He just...reminds me of something. A feeling...the feeling is what's familiar.....it's the same way I feel when I wake up from my nightmares"

Sarah's voice dropped to a whisper. "Your nightmares?"

I nodded, my skin prickling with goose bumps at the thought. Sarah's expression turned grim.

"Also when I was leaving, he said 'until next time'." I was whispering now " but the way he said it.... almost like he knew there would be a next time . Sounded like a promise ."

I sighed " Well I'm probably just overreacting. " i moved to set the table, sarah joining me.

"No you're not ," Sarahs voice was steel " I've know you for years, Abbie. If something feels off, trust your instincts. "

She leaned in, her eyes intense. "Tell me every detail about the date," Sarah urged. "I'll set the table," she offered, grabbing plates and utensils.

As I plated our dinner, Sarah poured glasses of wine.We dug into our spaghetti and stir-fry,savoring the flavors.

I told her the details as we ate our conversation flowing easily. Later, as we wrapped up our conversation

I said. "Hey, Sarah?"

"Yeah?"

"How did you meet Caleb again?"

Sarah's expression turned thoughtful. "Uh, through mutual friends, I think."

I nodded. "What impressed you about him?"

"He seemed kind, genuine, and interested in getting to know me. We talked about everything from art to social justice."

I raised an eyebrow. "That sounds...intense."

"I know, right? But he's charming. I thought he'd be perfect for you."

I frowned."Did he ask about me specifically?"

Sarah hesitated. "Now that you mention it...he did ask about you a few times."

My heart skipped a beat. "What did he ask?" I pressed.

Sarah's voice dropped."He wanted to know about your interests, hobbies...your fears."

My skin prickled. "Fears?" I repeated.

Sarah nodded. "I brushed it off as small talk, but now I'm not so sure."

We exchanged a concerned glance.

Sarah took my hands, her expression dead serious."Promise me you won't see him again," she urged.

"Why?" I asked, though I already knew.

"He already sounds like bad news, and this is just the first date," Sarah said. "Agree to meet again, and it'll only get worse."

Her grip on my hands tightened."Block him, Abbie. I'll set you up with someone better."

I didn't need much convincing. All my senses were telling me to stay away.Sarah's words resonated. Something about Caleb didn't feel right.

"Okay," I said finally."I promise."

Sarah's face relaxed."Good," she said.

As we stood outside my apartment and hugged goodbye, Sarah's grip on my hands tightened, her eyes filled with concern.

I nodded, reassuring her. "I'll be fine, Sarah. Don't worry.

But Sarah's worry lingered. "Abbie, I can stay over if you're scared. We can watch movies, and I'll crash on the couch." Her offer was genuine, her brow furrowed with concern.

I shook my head, insisting, "No, really, I'm okay. You go home, get some rest."

Sarah hesitated, then reluctantly released me. "Call me if you need anything," she said, her eyes scanning my face. "Be careful okay".

I nodded, reassuring her. "I'll be fine, Sarah. Don't worry".

As she drove off into the night, I watched until her taillights disappeared. Then, with a sense of unease, I triple-locked my doors and windows, the clicks echoing through the silence.

The darkness outside seemed to press in, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. But I pushed aside the fear, telling myself I was safe, attributing my paranoia to my neglected therapy sessions.

Still, as I checked the locks for the third time, Sarah's words resonated: "Be careful, okay?"

True to my promise i completely cut off Caleb. If could even say that as i never even gave him a shot. I didn't pick up when he called me that night ignoring it and the several that followed over the week.

I just let it ring. Coward that I am, I didn't have the guts to answer and tell him I didn't want to see him again. Instead, I blocked his number and continued living my life.

For the next week, I focused on more pleasant things. My father's birthday was approaching, and Mom suggested I create a special piece for him. I threw myself into the project, losing track of time as I sketched and painted. The creative escape helped me shake off the lingering unease from Caleb's calls.

I stepped back from the canvas, eyes scanning the vibrant colors and swirling patterns that now perfectly captured Dad's adventurous spirit. The painting was finished.

"Time to pack," I said to myself, smiling. I carefully wrapped the painting and began gathering my belongings for the trip home. Dad's birthday celebration awaited, and I couldn't miss it.