When I open the door, I place my keys on the table and fix myself something to drink. I act as if there is no one searching for us and sit on my couch.

“Do you think the Hunters will find us?” Sage rummages through my cabinets for something to eat.

“I don’t care if they do.” I take another drink of my water. I look at the time and remember I have to work today. “We should go to bed. It’s already morning.”

I get up and make my way to the closet to get Sage some blankets. “I don’t mind sleeping on the couch if you want my bed,” I say loud enough so she can hear me from the hallway.

“I don’t mind sleeping on the couch,” she yells back. “It’s way better than staying alone at my place.” Sage and I have separate apartments so that we both have our own place to go when we need to be alone.

“We might as well get rid of one of our apartments. You’re always here anyway.” I walk back into the living room, handing her the blankets and pillow. “So do I need to check for monsters, or are you over the boogie man?”

Rolling her eyes and laughing, she says, “Over it. And when it becomes a financial issue we will. Having separate places makes me feel more like a grown up.”

I raise a brow. “Says the girl who is sleeping on my couch because she’s scared of a little ol’ Hunter.”

She sticks her tongue out at me. “Whatever, bitch. You get scared too.”

“Honestly, I don’t. I become cautious and go into kill mode. Fuck being scared. It does nothing but make me lose focus.”

“Say that all you want but you get scared.”

“Goodnight, Sage.”

“Night.”

I walk back to my bedroom and strip down to my panties. I throw on an oversized shirt and plop down on my bed. I wish I wasn’t so wide awake. For some reason, the longer I stay awake the harder it is to fall asleep.

As I’m about to fall asleep, I think I hear footsteps walking quietly down the hall. If it were Sage, she would walk normally. I feel for my pistol underneath my pillow, and once I find it, I quietly get off my bed. I tiptoe to the doorway and lean my back against the wall. I turn my head to see who the footsteps belong to, but the dark hallway doesn’t help me see any better. Whoever it is couldn’t go very far. All that is down the hall is my room, bathroom, and linen closet.

I walk into the hallway and silently beg the floor not to echo my footsteps. I check the bathroom and don’t see anyone. I get braver and open the shower curtain. Still no one. Dammit, I know I heard footsteps! I walk into the living room and place the gun at my side. I see Sage sleeping on the couch and quickly switch the safety back on. I walk back to my bedroom and climb into bed then place my gun under my pillow. 

“DID YOU HEAR anything last night?” I ask Sage as I start the coffee machine.

She sits up from the couch and stretches. “Nope. Do you think you heard something?”

I shrug my shoulders and sit on the counter. “Yeah. Footsteps. But you were sound asleep. I was probably just hearing things again.”

“Probably. I’m going to take a shower and then try to make it to my study group. Big test Monday, and I need to get my grades up. I have missed too many classes. Try to stay out of trouble the rest of the weekend.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. I will be working all weekend.” I look at the clock and sigh. I shouldn’t have stayed out so late and slept as long as I did. It’s already after two o’clock, and I have to be to work by three. I grab a cup of coffee and sink into my couch to be lazy for just a little longer. After Sage leaves, I take a shower to get ready for work.

I pull into work and dread that I’m working on a Saturday night. Movie rentals are crazy on the weekend. I walk in and hear the door chime announcing my entrance. Kate shoves a handful of returns at me before I can set my messenger bag down.

“Well, hello to you too, bitch!” I say and laugh as I put the pile of movies on the counter, so I can put my things away and clock in.

She laughs. “It’s going to be a hell of a night! There is some bad weather moving in, so I figure everyone will be renting tonight. You better get those returns put up before a flood of people roll in!” I roll my eyes at her and put my name tag on.

I start putting the returns back on the shelves - my favorite thing to do. I like staying hidden behind the shelves and letting Kate deal with the customers. I always get odd looks because of my appearance.

I put a movie back on the shelf and see my reflection in the shiny plastic. My blonde hair with black and purple highlights isn’t the best look to have when dealing with the public. Nor are my tattoos. My icy blue eyes also cause people to stare uncomfortably at me. Actually, they are probably just staring at my overall appearance. I look like a rebel, or that is what other Dwellers would have said back in Dandux. I jump and drop a few DVDs when someone says something from behind me.

“Excuse me.”

I don’t turn to see the male that just spoke but watch his hand go in front of my face, grabbing the DVD that briefly held my reflection.

After the DVD has left my view, I turn around but look down at my feet. “Sorry.” I start to walk away, but he stops me.

I look up at a tall guy wearing a black hooded jacket and jeans. He looks like he is in pain about something and is standing as still as a rock. I stare at him for a brief moment, but I quickly walk away when I realize I’m bothering him.

I start putting DVDs back on the shelf and discreetly watch him as he pays for his movie. Kate is trying to flirt, but he doesn’t acknowledge it. He pays and leaves. I laugh at myself when I realize I was actually intimidated by him.

I walk back to the counter after he leaves and think how there was something familiar about him, but I can’t put my finger on it. I shrug it off as no big deal and start talking to Kate.

“I’m done putting everything back. Anything else you need me to do?” I readjust my nametag on my apron.

Kate sets herself up on the counter and laughs. “Are you trying to avoid dealing with people?”

“You know it’s not my favorite thing to do,” I say as I check the box for returns. Kate falls silent, and as I stand up from checking the return box, I notice the same guy from earlier holding a gun to her head. I quickly pull my gun from my boot and point it at him.

“Let. Her. Go.”

He lets her go and points his gun at me. I go to pull the trigger, and he starts laughing. Holding out his left hand, he reveals the bullets that were once in my gun. I quickly drop the gun to my side and yell at Kate to leave. As she runs out the door, I grab the knife from my pocket and kick the gun from his hand. I swiftly duck out of the way as he tries to grab me by my hair. I hear a group of guys yell from outside, and he looks away from me then runs out the door.

I quickly lock the door and start cleaning up the DVDs and candy that got thrown about during the fight. I keep looking behind my shoulder, checking for another invasion. I grab my messenger bag and call Kate on her cell.

“Dammit! What the hell was that all about?” She yells.

Avoiding the truth, I say, “Not sure. I contacted the police. They are looking for him.” Lie. Total lie. I should have known he was a hunter. How could I be so stupid?

She breathes heavily into the phone. “I thought you would be dead! I didn’t even think to call the police! I’m so sorry I didn’t do more to help. I’m such an idiot! Glad you’re okay! And where did you get a gun? Is that even legal?”

“I’m not sure, but it’s probably what saved both of our asses tonight. Just forget about it.”

“Do you think we should call the owner and let him know what happened in his store?”

I hesitate before I answer. “No need to alarm him. No one got hurt. But if it’ll make you feel better, I can call him so you don’t have to stress over it. It was a scary night for you.”

“You sure you don’t mind dealing with him? He might get pissed.”

“Nah, I don’t mind.”

“Thanks. See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Get some rest and have a few drinks.”

She laughs. “You too.”

After we hang up, I immediately call Sage to check on her. If trouble found me here, trouble was sure to find her as well.