Unleashing Demons | D.D. Bk. 1 | ✔️

Chapter 4: The Suspicion

I took a sharp intake of breath and gave him a look which I hoped revealed my wariness. Doubt clouded my judgment like a storm. "Why would she hire you to follow me?" I asked cynically, my voice cold.

Somewhat irritated, Gideon fidgeted with his drink that was nestled between his large hands. He studied it as though it held a cryptic message, before his gaze returned back to mine. His defined, sculptured face which sported a five o'clock shadow, would want you to have second thoughts on ever upsetting him. I would have been intimidated, had this been under a different circumstance, but I stood my ground.

"Actually, it was my father whom your aunt contacted first. I wasn't even aware that he was...following you, until he reached out to me over week ago before he-" He stopped abruptly, as if avoiding to reveal too much.

He cleared his throat and spoke again. "He more or less explained to me the situation at hand; it seemed that my dad and your aunt were friends from college. And it wasn't until then did he ask for my assistance." He paused, as though giving me some time to absorb this piece of information.

My mind raced; my aunt would never come to such extreme heights on my welfare without a rational explanation. I massaged my temple on the new profound tension that seemed to form. "Did you ask your father why she wanted me followed?"

He flexed his left knuckle as he released a knot of tension of his own. "From what he said, your aunt called him one day on a personal favor; she believed that your life is in danger."

Confounded, it took me a minute to collect my sense of speech. Instead of getting carried away, I strayed to being logical. "And when did she call? In what ground did she presumed that my life's in grave peril?" I made sure the impatience drenched my tone.

He gave me a warning stare as he caught on. "A week and a half ago. My dad didn't elaborate much on the subject; guess you should ask your aunt on that part." He said innocently as he took a large gulp of beer. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed.

I scowled. Fourteen days ago? She had made no mention of anything about my life being in danger when we last spoke. I absentmindedly played with the hem of the towel that sat on my lap. "How about your father then? Is he around?" I searched around the apartment, in hopes to catch a glimpse of another person present.

He was silent for a beat. But he then answered stiffly. "He isn't."

I reflected on it for I while; now the great cloud of doubt darkened into a thunderstorm. How could I take his word for it? What if this was some kind of hoax. A lure? But then who would want to lure me? I was usually an invisible entity to society; no one took notice of me, I didn't stand out and I tend to keep it that way.

As my mind formed the possibility he could be a serial killer on the loose, a small voice at the back of my head whispered otherwise. It was as if my subconscious was in conflict with my logical consciousness, playing tug-of-war on who'll take the lead.

I discreetly stole a curious glance at him and looked back at my clenched hands when I saw he was observing me intently. Suddenly I felt conscious. I shifted awkwardly at my seat and let the strands of my hair to cover my left eye, as it concealed the gruesome mark of my past.

"I know you have your reservations." He spoke softly this time. "But why don't you phone your Aunt Margaret to put your worries at ease, but I doubt she'll be up at this hour."

I glared at him, not a bit surprised that he knew my aunt's name. "I guess I'll just have to take your word on it for now, won't I?" I said through gritted teeth.

He merely shrugged and went back to his drink.

Silence engulfed us, which gave me time to ponder a little longer. Had this evening's event somehow associated with my aunt's sudden caution for my safety? And if so, what led her to this conclusion? I sighed. There was only one way to find out; I'll have to talk to my aunt first thing tomorrow.