Stay out of it

Dave didnt want to be called by his name or even be dragged like this and yet here they were. It seemed that Rhys could scare anyone with just a look and as he asked for honesty Dave wasnt sure he had done much else. “No, I just left an anonoymous tip… I didnt… I thought she wouldnt find out… fuck, dont hurt me.
!” He begged, not wanting to walk up the stairs is that was what awaited him im his apartment.
He didnt take out his key as they reached the door, grabbing onto Rhys. He would be done for the moment they got inside right? So this was his shot. “It cant just be because of that cat right? It’s because… because she said something? Right? Yeah, she must have said something.” He said, panicking, trying to somehow reason with the brute. “If it’s ‘cause of that one time… I swear I didnt see what she was doing. I just want to keep a peaceful life!”

Say what he did? He swallowed hard, whimpering as the mere presence of Rhys just made him feel terrible. Like thoughts were sneaking into his mind every second he was near him. He was sobbing, whimpering and blabbering, barely speaking coherent words until Rhys demanded it. “She always covers up, always. Never not wearing a long shirt. I didnt mean to see her that one time! I didnt mean to!” He blubbered, tears and snot running down his face. “I swear something is not right with her. It’s not right. I tried to be nice to her but she…. She reeks of death. I dont know if she’s just keeping another fucking dead cat or something… fuck…!”

Being kicked in the stomach only made him curl up and feel sick, a bit of saliva running down his chin. The warning was clear. And Dave was still in a panic. “I wont!” Dave promised over and over between sobs, choking up on snot and what not that was caused by the pain in his hand. He just remained on the floor like the mess that he was, still feeling utterly terrified and now hurt too.

The lady on the phone was nice, handing out the shelter that had taken in a cat that had been called in last night by the number he called from, but told him that he wouldnt be able to go see it. The shelter was open early in the mornings only. She did however suggest to make an appointment for him to come see the cat if he wanted to? “As far as I know, the vet visit went fine, but he is scheduled to have his eye removed because of how big it is at this point.” She said, but couldnt tell more than that as she wasnt an expert. She assured him that the shelter would take him through what the cat had gone through.

While Rhys was talking to the lady, Dave was slowly crawling away, just wanting to get away from the brute that had hurt him. The lady in the phone was surprised to hear that he would adopt it. “Oh. Well that is fantastic news! I’ll make sure that the shelter knows.” She assured him. She promised to call back with a date for him to go see the cat and that was that. Dave was just sitting in the corner of his hallway, begging that Rhys would leave. When the phone was thrown to him, he used his healthy hand to call for help, but hesitated. He didnt want to risk having the brute beat him again, so he would wait, at least until he was gone.

It wasnt till late night that she finally messaged him:

[Emily:] Hey. I’m home again. I’m so exhausted and drained. Feel like I could pass out the moment I lie down.
[Emily:] Okay, lying down, hoping I dont pass out right away.

She laid down with a loud thump, turning onto her back and sighing deeply. She was wearing a bandage over her neck. The clergy had taken another biopsy and tried a new method to reduce the way the scar looked gnarly and horrible. But Emily had lost hope for ever getting a normal looking neck a long time ago.

[Emily:] Didnt fall asleep! How was your day?

She waited for him to reply and when he did, she bit her lip in a smile looking at the notification. However the reply at first made her frown but then the picture took her by surprise and she covered her mouth in excitement.

[Emily:] You’re going to create the perfect cat home for it!
[Emily:] So you found the shelter that took it?
[Emily:] You’re amazing.

She held her phone and hugged it to her chest with a happy smile. This was perfect.

She looked at her phone again as the messages chimed in, feeling quite excited. She had a feeling that it was in fact the alley cat. The relieve was already starting to tick in slowly.

[Emily:] Fingers crossed.
[Emily:] Can I come with you?

She folded her lips as she sent the last message. She would have to ask to go in later for work. But surely it wouldnt be a problem. Or so she thought. Her eyes felt a little heavy but the bandage on her neck was making her skin itch. Itching will be good Emily. Means that I might have done something right she remembered, exhaling deeply.

His condition didnt seem too bad. She would love to see whether the little guy had settled in or not. She had to admit that she hadnt been too sure about texting him but now when she was lying here in bed, feeling butterflies in her stomach like a teenager, it had been a good decision. That was at least until the conversation turned to Dave. She scoffed, having imagined that it didnt exactly go well. For Dave that was. The last text she frowned at. What did he mean by that? What had Dave said?
She didnt answer and as the next messages ticked in, she frowned. What had Dave done? Had he seen her… do weird stuff? She sat up looking around. She had undead-proofed the entire place. There was no way. Her fridge was empty except for the food that she couldnt eat yet. But it looked fresh enough!

[Emily:] That’s so messed up and weird
[Emily:] I dont even wanna know what he said.. geez
[Emily:] I’m gonna sleep now. Goodnight Rhys.

She put her phone on mute before putting it away. She felt so awake and annoyed now, but also tired and exhausted. Her neck began itching again and she just tore off the bandage and threw it away, even if it made her neck bleed a little. Wasnt like she could die anyway. She was just a shell that if tapped would be magically filled, for all eternity she believed. Rhys’ last text was in her mind. He would leave her if he found out, wouldnt he? She began sniffling, hiding her face away in a pillow that she soon realized was the once he had been sleeping on. She hugged it close, even if she would bleed on it.

Emily didnt answer in the morning, and she probably wouldnt for a while. But that wouldnt stop the day. Elaine was waiting. And she was quite excited. One thing was when he came over to just seemingly forget the world and pick up on his addiction, which she didnt mind. The way he affected her with his presence was like a drug to her. She loved how scared he could make her… yeah, she was odd. Sitting in front of her big mirror, she was putting on makeup. Decided to take a picture that she sent him. Just a mirror picture of her outfit. That was always daring and yet elegant, because she had style and she lived an expensive lifestyle.

She was waiting for him on the floor in her livingroom, surrounded by the petals and nice lights around her. “You’re finally here~” she chuckled, gesturing for him to join her on the floor. She was a little eccentric to say the least. The living lights spread a nice smell in the air. Just looking at him, she could feel the hairs on her arms stand up.
“So go on. Tell me what you’ve been up to.. why you havent been around as much? I miss you.” She spoke with a soft smile, tilting her head curiously.

If he wanted to remain where he was then fine. She wouldnt force him to sit in front of her. His answer was dull and she rolled her eyes before she chuckled. “You could just be like all the other goons and not care?” She shrugged. She decided to get up, correcting her dress a little before gesturing for him to look. “You didnt answer my message. Am I not pretty enough for you?” She asked, moving closer, but not too close. She looked him up and down. Hummed softly, approving of his looks before moving a bit closer. “Or is it only when you’re down and angry that you finally decide to look my way?” She asked, pouting like it was somehow unfair on her.