Runaway Cate

chapter thrity

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Two days had passed since the night Alec and I kissed and the morning that Judas arrived. Two days of communion with strangers and sleeping on a unfamiliar couch. Two days of wondering where Alec and I stood.

But by two days, I guess I was used to it. Used to Judas's hauntingly constant stare. Used to the awkward meals after prayer. Used to the way Alec turned red a bit and rubbed his neck when I found him reading scripture on the porch each morning.

But that didn't mean I was comfortable.

A sort of paranoia creeped upon me every night, it's insect-like arms always prickling my neck. The nightmare I had on the couch that day became a reoccurring one, making me toss and turn each night. It was as if it was a sign. A sign of--I don't know--loss? Happening? Danger?

It forced me to cling to something.

That something used to be Alec, I guess. He was always there, his confidence radiating in my chest. But on those lonely nights, I had a flashlight Mimi gave me and Alec's bible that he lent to me before he went to bed.

I read mostly in John. It just appealed to me the most, I think. That and I had absolutely no idea where to start and Alec had most of his markings in John.

Eventually, its words became poetry and its musty aroma became my lullaby, my sword against the demons in the night. It was comforting to have some sort of routine every night: this simple, constant thing.

But nothing could protect me from the gargantuan pile of work that Mimi had placed upon my shoulders.

Ever since she witnessed the horror in my first attempt of "cooking" (burning, more like), she was determined to teach me in the art of southern cooking. She just invited me into the kitchen one day, a song in her voice. And I followed her in, like the stupid, gullible, piece of burnt egg I was. By the end of the second day, blisters riddled my hands and my body ached with utter exhaustion. I collapsed on the couch between meals, despite Mimi's warnings about bed sores.

But the third day, oh, the third day, was when the...neighbors came over.

And I don't mean just one other family amongst the four adults and eight children (I counted) that already lived at Mimi's. No. I mean the entire street.

Apparently, every Sunday--since there isn't a church within decent waking distance--Mimi cooks a thanksgiving-worthy brunch and invites the whole neighborhood. It's a very famous occasion that became so famous and so occasional that no spoken word is passed about it. It was just as simple as breathing as it was to spend Sunday morning at Mimi's.

But that wasn't the problem.

No. The problem was the countless dishes of egg and bacon casserole I was expected to prepare, bake, and serve; not to mention Mt. China-plates that will be sure to be awaiting me when the meal was done.

I sighed and turned as I thought about it. It was early morning, the sun was yet to peak through the dusty windows of the living room, but I didn't fall back asleep. I knew that Mimi would be wobbling down the hallway soon, so I waited and stared at the pinkness that bathed the room.

I knew Alec would come out of his room soon, bible in hand. So, I listened for the soft pats of his socked feet on the carpet.

I always wondered how he woke up each morning like clockwork. He had no alarm clock. Maybe he slept by a window and let the sun wake him up. I didn't know.

Then I heard the bedroom door creak open.

Like clockwork, I thought.

I snapped up and peered over the side of the couch. A silhouette, slim and tall, slipped quietly into the dusted twilight. I smiled as he tiptoed like a child through the quiet morning. Lazy sunlight escaped into the dark house as he silently opened the front door. He closed it behind him with a soft click.

I slipped out of my sheets and slid on the clean shirt that Mimi lent me. As I pulled it over my tank top, I watched the door. There was a familiar uneasiness that had taken its place on the hairs on the back of my neck. I sighed and swallowed it as I made my way through the kitchen and place my hand on the doorknob. I hesitated, the paranoia crawling back up my throat. Am I really that nervous about seeing Alec? I rolled my eyes and opened the door without second thought.

In the twilight, the white paint on the porch glowed gold, but the beautiful sight was interrupted by the empty porch swing. My breath caught. Where is he?

Then a billow of ashen smoke poured into my lungs. I coughed, choking.

"Whatchya doin' up?" Asked a low voice.

I turned. Lean shoulders slumped over me. I struggled to see the face that was inches away from mine through the cigarette smoke.

It was Judas.

He grinned at me, smoke emitting from the gaps between his yellow teeth.

I coughed violently again and backed up.

"Not used to smoke, huh?" he chuckled, sending shivers up my spine. "Princess." He teased.

I didn't know how to react. What was he doing? Was he trying to flirt? I looked at the way his eyes glistened at me like marbles as he looked down at me. I recognized that gaze from boys in the hallway at school. The way they leaned in when they talked. The slumped posture. The surly voice, making them sound like they think they are better than you. He was flirting with me.

"How old are you, Cate?" He asked nonchalantly, bringing the cigarette back to his lips.

I was going to be eighteen next week, but I wasn't going to let him know that. "Seventeen." I replied.

Judas took a step closer, his disgusting mouth reeking. His dark eyes trailed up and down my body, making me writhe. "Almost legal." He noted, then looked at my face to see if I was blushing.

I almost choked. What was he talking about? I shivered. He was really creeping me out. "Uh," I said, feeling my face turn red with anger and embarrassment. I was enraged with myself to give him the satisfaction. "Mimi's probably looking for me."

I turned to reach for the doorknob, but he grabbed my elbow. I tried to twist out of it, but he held firm, his filthy fingernails puncturing into my skin.

"I almost figured out who you are, Cate." He said. A threatening tone teased his voice. "And when I do, you'd better be grateful."

I shook my head and furrowed my brow. "Uh..." I said, my heart pounding. I was scared, like really scared. All those warnings about assaults. All those times my dad offered to teach me self-defense. All those times I didn't think it could ever happen to someone as big, plain, and unattractive as me. I looked down with wide eyes at the white-knuckled grip around my arm. "You're hurting me." I said quietly.

Judas pulled my arm so that I was closer to him before releasing me. I withered in his disgusting stench.

I tried to gather up some courage before looking him in the eye. "Leave me alone, Judas." I said, trying to put as much sternness behind my voice as possible. Then I twisted the knob and slipped into the house.

I could hear Judas laughing on the other side of the door.

He wasn't going to leave me alone.