5

When I woke the next morning, my entire body felt achy and sore. My head throbbed lightly. The sun seeping through the blinds made my eye sockets hurt.

I didn't want to get out of the large bed that was far more comfortable than the motel bed I was used to. When I checked the time, it was nearing 12 in the afternoon. Considering I was in someone else's home, it would be rude of me to sleep in any further than I already had.

If I was back in my motel room, I would sleep in until at least 5pm. I really didn't have much else to do. And the extra sleep was probably needed.

When I went to the bathroom, I almost winced at the sight of myself. My hair was a tangled birds nest, my eye bags were heavy and darker than normal. My skin looked pale and flush. Essentially, I looked like a walking corpse with a blue bandaid on the side of my forehead.

I tried to tame as much of my hair as I could before washing my face and helping myself to the mouthwash sitting on the counter. I navigated my way through the house and downstairs into the kitchen.

Dean was sitting at the island with a plate of pancakes in front of him. As if he could feel my gaze on him, he looked up. He grinned when he saw me. "Hey there, Elettra. Breakfast?"

I peered around the house as I approached him. "You live here alone?" It was a decent home, larger than average. A luxury I could never dream of affording. It was well kept and tidy, modernized.

He nodded, chewing his food before answering. "I do. My father walked out on me, quite some time ago. He remarried and I managed to pay off the remainder of the mortgage myself."

I glanced at him, curious why he was being so transparent. I walked towards the refrigerator where a few pictures were held up by magnets. In one, a much younger Dean stood with an older man who shared the same features as him - all except the eyes. The man's were brown. On the other side of Dean stood an elegant, beautiful woman who smiled brightly. She had his eyes.

"Your mom?"

Dean cleared his throat. He didn't have to answer, but considering he was already willingly opening up, I took the opportunity to ask more than I should be allowed to. "She passed away when I was twelve. It was a shooting."

I winced, turning to glance at him. "That's a terrible loss. She must be in a better place." I looked at the picture again. "Then again, anywhere is better than here." Dean couldn't have been more than ten years old. They all looked so-happy and lively. I noticed that Dean's eyes were different now. They were less bright, less enraptured. Now, even when he seemed to be entertained, there was the slightest strain behind those eyes.

When Dean hadn't spoken, I turned to look at him again. He was chewing slowly, in thought, but his eyes were fixated on me.

I raised my eyebrows. "What?"

Dean shook his head lightly. A ghost of a smile was on his face. "Nothing. You're just-well the first person who hasn't said 'I'm sorry' when I told you about my mom."

I shrugged dully. "People act as if saying sorry is a magic eraser but really, it won't change anything. Nor will it mean anything because I didn't know your mom, nor do I know you." I paused. "I should go."

Dean's eyes glinted for a moment. "You don't want breakfast? I made extra."

I shook my head.

Dean nodded curtly. "Would you like a ride? I don't mind."

I scoffed. "And disclose my location? No, thank you."

Dean looked puzzled, while intrigued at the same time. I offered a salute, walking past him and leaving.

-

"Eletra, they are going to kill you."

I rolled my eyes as my best friend, Eddie, panicked through the phone. He had been going on for twenty minutes now, not failing to mention how stupid he thinks I am.

Eddie was the one person left in the world who I had known the longest. He was essentially the only remaining friend-real friend, I had.

"No, they won't. They won't find me." I reassured him calmly, although knowing my words would not ease him.

A part of me didn't believe my own words either. I knew what lengths Derrick was capable of going to, I knew how easy it would be for him to kill me if that's what he wanted to do- and he would, if for no other reason than his own delight at the idea.

However, the idea of death was something I had come to terms with long before it should have ever crossed my mind. With a life like mine, there was only way you'd go out and it was similar to the situation I was in last night. Fate was not something you could control. If I died, at least I'd be at peace with it.

It was sheer luck that I was saved last night. It wasn't the first or last time I'll be faced with death practically screaming in my face.

"Yes, they will." I could hear the frusturation in Eddie's voice. "If they don't get to you first, they'll kill that Superman of yours."

"Dean?" I laughed dully. "No, they won't."

Derrick had a bone to pick with me. I doubt he'd even remember Dean's face.

I think.

"Who are you trying to convince?" Eddie retorted. "You know them. They never hesitate. There is nothing stopping them-whether it's taking your life or some random guys."

"They won't touch him."

Eddie scoffed. "What makes you so sure?"

I paused, my lips falling into a tight line. "I will kill them if they do." I laid back on the motel bed, the springs under the mattress squeaking as I did.

Eddie remained silent for a long moment. "You don't-like this guy, do you?"

My face scrunched up. "God, no. He saved my life so I owe him. I'm not going to let my ex-whatever-he-is, Derrick and his goonies kill him because he saved my life." That would not fall on my shoulders. I wouldn't let it.

Eddie sighed softly. "Just don't doubt them, Elle."

"What do I do?" My voice came out quiet.

God, I hated this.

God, why are you doing this to me?

I doubted God was even listening to me anymore.

"Skip town- soon." Eddie was quick to answer. "And talk to this Dean guy. Warn him."

I sat up, scoffing loudly. "Warn him? You're kidding."

"No, Elle. I'm not. You said he's dealt with this stuff before, he's familiar with this life. Warn him that Derrick will be back-if not now, then eventually. He deserves a heads-up. He needs to know that Derrick is no joke."

I gritted my teeth. The thought was souring. "Fine. I will-if I run into him again."

Eddie laughed. "You better hope you do-otherwise his death will be on your shoulders."

My eyes narrowed as I stared at the blank, disgustingly green coloured motel room wall. "That is not funny."

When Eddie spoke again, his voice was dead serious without a hint of amusement. "I'm not trying to be funny."

-

"Would you like anything else today, dear?" Ben, the old man who owned the diner asked me. "We have some specials I could tell you about."

I smiled faintly. "No, I'm okay, Thank you."

He only nodded, sending me a polite smile before walking away to tend to other customers.

I glanced around the diner. It was less crowded today. I couldn't find enough interest to focus on the other people that sat here tonight.

The door opened, catching my attention.

Shit, I didn't actually want to run into him again.

I turned back around, staring straight ahead. I was sitting in the same spot I sat in last time- or a bar stool at the counter. Please don't notice me.

"Elettra."

Of course.

"Did you think I would walk in and completely overlook the new hooded girl in town? This is a small town. You're hard to miss."

I looked up and reluctantly met his gaze. "Sit."

Dean quirked an eyebrow, surprise flashing across his features. "This is new."

I refrained from rolling my eyes. "We need to talk."

Dean bit back a smirk as he sat down on the stool beside mine. "Don't tell me we're breaking up already."

I looked at him flatly. "What about me makes you think I'm in the mood to play leapfrog with cows."

Dean's eyebrows pulled together.

"Because that is what talking with you feels like."

A laugh escaped him. "You are a very grave person."

I ignored his comment. "Those guys from last night- they're not people you should ignore. They don't have limits. Trust me, they wil-"

"Are you worried about me, Elettra?" His eyes glinted with amusement delight.

I stared at him, bewildered. "What makes you-does it-God! Do I look amused to you? Do I look like I'm joking?"

Dean sighed faintly. "I can handle myself. You have no need to worry."

I laughed dryly, shaking my head. "I am not worried about you, Dean. I'm a giving you a heads-up so I know no blood will fall onto my hands." I paused for a moment. "Seriously, they'll kill you and they will enjoy it."

Dean stared back at me with a straight expression, anything but concerned. It was as if I were speaking about cotton-candy-rather than him dying. "I have dealt with man people far worse then them. I can handle myself."

I looked away from him, exhaling sharply. His words didn't entirely ease me. Anxiety riveted through my stomach. I didn't have a good feeling about how this would play out if Derrick came back.

Dean should be more concerned for his own sake.

"Fine." I shrugged. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Dean looked at me for a few seconds before speaking again. "What about you, Elettra? What if they come back for you-not me?"

I stared at my hands. "It's either one of us or both. I can handle myself too."

I wasn't suicidal or attempting to end my life. However, the concept of death didn't scare me. If I woke up in the morning, I would go about my day. If I didn't, I didn't. The world would not be losing anything with my absence.

"Elettra? You okay?"

I blinked, not having realized I zoned out.

I looked at him. "I'll be fine. I just wanted to make sure you understand that they'll come back. Five days or five years-I wouldn't doubt it."

Dean tapped his chin with his index finger. "Multiple guys against one, fairly tiny girl. How are you going to be fine?"

I laughed dryly. "I've taken care of myself my whole life. Don't you worry."

Dean looked at me for a long moment. He stared at me like he was trying to peel back all the layers of my skin and really get inside my head-see my psychology up close and personal.

He sighed sharply. "If you need anything-I mean anything, you know where to find me." He paused. "Just-don't die or anything."

For the first time, Dean was the one to get up and leave.