Chapter 5

“Not your choice, but throughout the events your mind made choices on what to do, where to hide, where to run, what to do when in the street. You made a choice in some respect, but what happened was not your choice, but I do need to know why did you kiss Logan? Why not ask for help, or explain the situation?”

“I was scared, and I didn’t know if there was enough time to explain the situation before they caught up to me and found me, so I chose an option that I thought would conceal me enough from being discovered by them as they ran by.”

“Why didn’t you just pull him against you, why kiss him?”

“I don’t know! It was subconsciously my reaction to the situation.” I pushed up to my feet and began to pace.

There was a knock at the door. Amelia opened it and there were hushed voices for a few moments before she returned.

“It seems the officers have found two points of forced entry at your house. There is a forensics team there now.”

“When can I go home?” I snapped.  

“Not until they have completed their collections,” she paused. “I will see if I can get you a hot drink while you’re waiting.”

“I’m fine, I don’t want anything.” I snapped.

Amelia’s questions had riled me up. They were adding to an already heated situation. Does she think I just jump at every guy in the street? I sniped to myself. Amelia excused herself. Restlessly, I paced the room. The silence was deafening. My mind was racing with questions.

Why me?

Do they believe me?

What would have happened if Logan wasn’t there?

Why did I kiss him?  

Is Amelia, right? Could I have just pulled him against me, and it would have been enough?

I found myself having an internal argument with myself as I paced the room. Tiredness started to take hold of me. I searched the room with my eyes landing on the light switch near the door, I turned the lights off, pulling two chairs together against the back wall.

I settled in with my back against the back wall facing the door, and my knees curled into my chest, leaning my head against the wall. My eyes quickly closed, and I found myself dreaming. The dream quickly turned into a nightmare filled with flashbacks. Waking with a start hoping it was all just a nightmare to begin with, disappointed to find myself still curled up on the chairs in interview room 6. A huge sigh escaped my lips. Shortly after the door opened and the lights flicked on. I blinked and squinted trying to clear my vision to see who was standing in the doorway. It was Logan.

“Apologies, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t.” My voice sounded more normal; the short-unsettled rest seemed to have subdued my defensiveness.

He was holding two cups in his hands. Offering me one, he leaned back against the table. I held out my hand and took the cup. Letting the warmth flood through my hands, I brought the cup to my lips and took a sip. Humming at the taste of hot chocolate. Letting the warmth spread through me as I swallowed. I smiled against the cup with my second sip.

“Thank you.” I looked up at him.

“I’m just glad you’re a fan of hot chocolate.”

“It’s the only hot drink I like, to be honest.”

He smiled, sipping at his own cup. He set the cup down and watched me. I pushed the chair back and stood to stretch out my stiff limbs.

“Have they said when I can go home yet?”

“Not yet, I did speak to one of the officers that went to your house. It sounds like you were lucky to escape. Are you sure you don’t have anywhere else you can stay for a while?”

“I wish I did. Everyone I am close to is hundreds of miles away.”