Killer Results

Food for Thought

POV Lauren

I sat curled up on the window seat, engulfed in the blanket that still smelled of David. I watched the hours drift by as I slowly drifted in and out of consciousness. I waited for the darkness to take me. Carmen had stopped begging me to open the door and I was thankful for the quiet. I just wanted to be blown away with the fall breezes that carried the leaves outside. Sleep came again and I let it take me far from this world.

"Lauren?" I could feel my body being rocked and jarred. "Lauren, open your eyes. I need you to wake up." I didn't want to. I was happy in the dark. "Lauren, wake up." 

Again my body was moving and shifting against my will. Why couldn't they leave me alone. Moments later I felt my entire body submerged into a bath full of hot water. Fully dressed, blanket and all.

I screamed. Nothing in this world was right and now I was being pulled back into a place that took pleasure in my pain. I hated living, and they kept pulling me back.

Between the sobs, I would let my lungs cry out all the pain and hate that this world had placed on them. It felt like a lifetime, but my voice gave and my lungs burned out. Even my pitiful sobs couldn't power through the whole bath. I finally gave up. I opened my eyes to focus on the person who drove me back from my brink of freedom.     

"David?!" I yanked my arms from the tub and wrapped them around his neck attempting to pull him closer to me.

The bath water sloshed from my sudden movement and I managed to soak David's pants from his kneeling position on the floor. His face was priceless. I couldn't decide if he was about to laugh, cry or storm out, but he let me hold him. Even in my wet clothing, he embraced me.

"You came back." I buried my head against his neck, breathing him in. "David?"

"Yes?"

"Why do you smell different?" I knew his smell. I spent the last week buried in his aromatic scent, this odor on him, wasn't his.

"Where did you go?" I pulled my arms away from his neck.

David rocked back and ran his fingers through his hair. I could tell he was at war with his own thoughts and I needed him to tell me the truth.

"Did you hurt someone?" Did I push him away, only to send him out into the world again to kill?

"No." David reached for me across the side of the tub, but something was off.

"Tell me the truth David." I wanted to go to him. I never wanted something so much in my life, but I just didn't trust him.

"I did NOT kill anyone. Scouts honor." He smiled and stood up displaying the complete soaking I managed to inflict on him. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Are you leaving again?" I leaned forward in the tub, staring up at him.

"I will never leave you again." He leaned down and kissed my forehead. "But I need a shower and dry clothes."

David stepped away from the tub and started the shower. I watched as he stripped down, his body captivated me. He had the body of a dancer, full of grace and confidence. The strength and power he contained was well hidden behind his tall, lean frame. I heard the shower halt and realized I was daydreaming while he was busy getting clean. How long had I been sitting in this tub?

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POV David

When I climbed into the shower I was racked with guilt. I lied. I never lied. I didn't kill anyone, but I did plan to. I was with another woman, I even slept with another woman. Lauren and I, I don't even know what we are, but from the moment I buckled her into my car, I wanted to take care of her. She was every woman I ever saw my father destroy, every girl who Carmen had to send to the doctor to fix, every offspring created and killed because of my fathers indiscretions. I needed to save her.

When I stepped out, she was still sitting in the tub of water. Fully clothed, looking deep in thought.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I smiled recalling the first time I offered to bribe her for information.

"I was just thinking about you." She smiled, but as I laid my hand against her skin, she was nearly freezing. The bath water, no longer hot, was draining the warmth from her. Glancing down at that tiny body laying in the tub, she was so thin.

"When is the last time you ate?" Taking a moment to see how the simple shift sucked against her wet body, I saw the damage a week had done. "Lauren, you promised me."

"I'm sorry." She dropped her chin. I couldn't be mad at her. I should've stayed.

"I'm sorry too. I should've never left. Let's get you situated and we can eat together." Lauren lifted her eyes to meet mine and smiled. I would do anything to see that smile.

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Half an hour later, Lauren and I were sitting in the kitchen, with a big bowl of Carmen's chicken and dumplings. The room was quiet and Carmen had returned home after confirming we would be alright for the night.

"It's good to see you eating. You had me worried. Please don't do that again. "I watched as she lifted the bowl and drank the remaining broth. "Would you like anymore?" A quick shake of her head confirmed she was full and the following yawn confirmed the hour. 

Time escaped me today. It feels like a lifetime ago that I had Mary within reach, but it was just six hours earlier. I hoped she made it onto the bus for California, and I never had to see her again. Looking at Lauren sitting beside me, resting her head against my shoulder, I couldn't imagine ever wanting another woman.

I put my arm around her waist and led her to our bed. Crawling in, she nuzzled close to my chest, reminding me to remove my shirt now or risk another panic attack in the morning. Tonight I would rest easy knowing she was safe.