“How concerned should I be about another Unseen attack me? Do I need to run now?” Annabel asked Crispin and Jules as they walked into the room. Her hands moved nervously. She was worried the entire time they were gone. She couldn't be sure if one of the creatures could enter through the window or door to attack her. She felt better knowing they were back.
Crispin placed the jar on the table. He sat opposite her with a concerned look on his face. Jules did the same. “That depends how much you cooperate with us.”
She shifted nervously. “Wha – what do you mean?” She wondered where this conversation was heading.
Crispin leaned closer to her across the table. “Is there something you're hiding from us?”
“What would I hide from you?”
“Did you lie to us earlier?”
Her face dropped. He found out. “How did you know?”
He tried not to smile. He was still a good interrogator. “I have my sources. Why did you do it?”
“She asked before I came here to do it. All she wanted was one picture. She wanted to see what you look like. I told her you were dragons so she said she definitely needed one. You didn't have wings. That was how she explained to me I was wrong. I know you are so it’s confusing. I'm sorry. I'll tell her to delete it. Please don't set me on fire.” She shifted her eyes from Crispin to Jules and back again. This was specifically what he told her not to tell anyone else. She deserved to have flames shot at her.
Crispin stared at her in disbelief. He didn't think she would reveal that. He needed to remain focused. “I didn't think I could've been clearer. You were not to reveal our true nature.”
“I'm sorry. I really am.”
“How did you even get a picture? I deleted it from your phone.”
“You deleted the picture off of my phone but I'd already sent it.”
He hung his head. He had a good idea on how to determine why the Unseen was after her. This scenario gave him an excuse. “You can't stay here. I can't trust you. Good luck out there.” He stood up from the chair and started for the door.
“No, no,” she said as she followed him. “I said I was sorry.” She was worried about being attacked. He was the only one who could keep her safe. She needed to stay here.
He faced her. “You need to learn that when I ask you not to do something, you should follow my advice. Besides, you'll be safe at home. Don't come here again.”
“Please Crispin. I'm sorry.”
It hurt him to watch her plead like this. He had to remain strong. “Everything will be okay. You don't need me.”
She opened her mouth to protest but closed it. She lied to him. All it took was one lie and she was on her own. “I understand. I won't come back ever. You don't have to worry about me. Nice to meet you Jules,” she said, giving Jules a handshake good-bye. She walked past Crispin and left the house. There was no need to talk to him anymore. Their involvement was over. He made that clear.
Annabel opened the door to her car and sat inside staring at the controls. She wasn't sure what had happened. She couldn't tell if he was serious when he told her she was safe now. It didn't matter. She was angry with him banishing her from there. He didn't use the word banished. He told her she couldn't come back. To her, it sounded the same. The creature could attack her now and she was defenseless. She didn’t know how to defend herself. He could’ve at least told her one technique.
She thought about what had happened as she drove home. In particular, she thought about Crispin She was wrong in thinking he was different from other guys she met. They were all the same. The only difference between him and the rest was the claim to be a dragon. The story was weirder than what she normally heard. That was what had attracted her to him. It was over. She could go home now and everything would resume to normal.
Annabel opened the door to her quiet apartment. She was glad to be back on familiar turf. She checked around the place for June. She must’ve left. She couldn't stay still for long. A note was on the kitchen table. Annabel read it. Yep, June was out with Sven. Annabel opened the fridge and pulled out something to eat. She was starving.
She flipped through a magazine. The house was too quiet. She looked at the clock on her phone. It was only eleven in the morning. The day just started. She needed to find something to take her mind off everything she went through. There was only one thing she could think of.
After a day of shopping in the city, Annabel returned home to find June inside with who she assumed was Sven. “Are you finally back?” June asked when she saw Annabel. “It looks like you bought everything in the city. Had a rough weekend?”
Annabel put the bags against the wall. She would sort through them later. “You have no idea what I've been through. I can't even describe it. Hello,” she said to the man sitting on the couch. “I'm talking to Sven right?”
June interrupted with, “He doesn't speak much English. He's visiting with his friends from Europe. I forgot where he's from but he's so cute. Aren't you Sven?” She leaned over and ran her fingers down the side of his face before kissing him.
“Ah love,” Annabel said sarcastically. She headed towards her room.
“Speaking of love,” June stressed, “What about you and your mystery hero? How did that go?”
“I think I was dumped twice by him before we went out. It might be a new record.”
“Ouch. Well, the offer still stands. There are a few cute guys over here with Sven and they'd like to meet you. I can get them over here in half an hour.”
Annabel shook her head. “I'm not up for that tonight. I'm going to sleep. I have such an exciting life. It'll give you two alone time.”
June nodded and draped herself over Sven. Annabel shook her head as she left. That relationship wouldn’t last as long as Sven was in the country. She went into her room and closed the door. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough. Everything was back to normal.