I make my way off the dance floor and order more drinks. I won’t be happy until my words are slurring, and I can barely walk. I take a hit off my cigarette and exhale slowly, making designs with the smoke. The bartender hands me my drinks, and I head to the table where Sage is making out with some random guy.

I kick my feet up in an empty chair and down my shots. I let the alcohol flow to every inch of me before getting up to go back out to the dance floor.

“Oreo!” Sage yells over the loud music, taking a break from being close to having this douche bag’s baby.

“Yeah?” I yell back.

“I think you have had enough to drink!” She gives me that knowing look. That look that tells me to keep a level head.

I smile sweetly, hike my skirt up to show more skin, and make my way to the dance floor. As I’m dancing, letting the music and alcohol have their way, I feel a hand on my leg moving its way to my inner thigh. I grab the hand and bend it backward. The guy is on the floor begging for me to let go.

Plath unexpectedly shows up and punches the guy in the face and drags him off the dance floor. I chase after them, tripping and running into every person as I make my way out of the club. I follow them into the dark alley behind the club and jump when I see Plath slit his throat. Blood spilling from his neck, his body slumps, and he falls to the ground dead.

I place both of my hands on my head and scream, “What the hell! Are you insane? He was just-“

“Just about to kill your drunken ass! Dammit, Orion!” He yells, cutting me off. He wipes the blade of his knife on the guy’s shirt and sticks it back into his pocket. He starts to walk but I chase after him.

“Plath!”

He turns around, anger brewing in his eyes, and says, “Go home. It’s not safe out here tonight.”

He continues to walk away, but I keep following him. “Why did you do that? For me, I mean?”

He stops and pulls the hood of his jacket over his head. He looks over his shoulder, then back at me. “Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t do that for you.”

I lose my balance before responding and lean against a nearby wall. “Damn, I’m drunk.”

A hint of a smile appears on his face, but as quickly as it appeared, it disappears. “Do you need me to take you home?”

“No, Sage is driving tonight. And what do you mean you didn’t do that for me? If not for me, then who?”

He looks behind his shoulder again and says, “It doesn’t matter. Since you don’t need a ride home, I should be leaving. More Dwellers escaped. I have business to take care of.”

“You mean you are going to kill innocent Dwellers?”

“That is my job. Why are you acting surprised?”

I close my eyes and try to wrap my mind around his insanity. “But you just helped me? I don’t get it!”

“Dwellers who escape can’t be trusted.”

“But you trust me?”

“I have never said that I trust you. Stop making assumptions.”

“But… You helped me? I’m so damn confused! Would you please just explain?”

“There is nothing to explain. I saved your ass tonight, end of story.” He looks behind his shoulder again, for the hundredth time. He then looks back at me, once again no emotion on his face.

“But-“

He cuts me off. “But nothing. Look, I have to go, or we will both be dead in just a matter of minutes. Leave if you want to live.”

When he turns to leave I do the same. I run into the club to find Sage to tell her we need to get home. I find her dancing and quickly get her attention.

“Time to go!” I yell. The music is so loud, and everyone is dancing so close, that I’m being pushed in every direction. Sage nods her head, and we make our way out of the club. We run to the car and quickly get in.

“Is everything okay?” She puts the car into drive.

“I hope so. We may have trouble tonight. I need to sober up. Just drive around for a bit until my head stops spinning.” I place both of my hands on my head and close my eyes.

We drive around for about an hour until my alcohol high wears off. We head towards our apartment, and I explain what happened with Plath tonight.

“I think he has a thing for you.” Sage laughs.

I scoff at the thought. I can’t believe she just said that. I laugh and say, “Highly doubt it. Something is weird about him, though. In a mental way I mean. I think he has a bit of narcissism and bipolar qualities. He needs serious help.”

“Do you know what is really bad?” She parks the car in front of our apartment.

“What?” I ask before taking off my seatbelt.

“You said he slit that guy’s throat, right?”

I raise my eyebrows and say, “Yeah?”

“Did it bother you?”

I think about her question for a moment and then answer. “No. No it didn’t.”

“Exactly. It’s horrible that we’re not even fazed by someone dying right before our eyes. Are we the bad guys now too?”

I haven’t thought about it like that before. We have killed so many Hunters who are Dwellers just like ourselves. The only difference is that they are fighting for something they believe in, and we are fighting for our lives. We get out of the car and go into the apartment.

I take a quick shower and put on something comfortable to sleep in. When I walk into the living room, I see Sage staring at Plath who is leaning against the wall and smiling.

“What is he doing here?” I ask Sage.

“He won’t tell me.” She has her gun pointed at him.

I laugh. “Put the gun down. I’m sure he is just having one of his nice moments. Don’t worry; he will be the narcissistic jack-ass I hate in a minute.” I walk to the kitchen and fix myself a glass of water. When I turn around he is standing behind me.

“I don’t think your friend likes me,” he says while opening and closing his pocket knife.

“I don’t think there is anyone who likes you.” I pop a few Tylenol in my mouth and chug water behind it. After I’m sure the pill made its way down my throat, I say, “What are you doing here, anyways?”

I hate the way his steel eyes hold this sexual gaze. Their shiny darkness is intoxicating in good, lustful ways, and it frightens me how I struggle to look away from them. I take another drink of my water, wishing I could have an extra cup to wash these thoughts from my brain.

He leans against the counter and laughs. “What do you think I’m doing here?”

I roll my eyes. “How about you don’t make this a guessing game and just tell me?”

“I came to warn you and your friend.”

I cut my eyes at him and say, “Her name is Sage.”

He smiles. “Yes, I know that.”

“So, you were saying that you came to warn me...” I start walking into the living room, and he follows. We sit down on the couch, and Sage is sitting on the other couch half asleep.

I throw a pillow at her and say, “Wake up. Psycho over here has to warn us about something.” She yawns and sits up straighter. I notice she still has her gun gripped firmly in her hand which makes me smile.

I look at Plath, and he says, “The Hunters are getting wiser. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings all of the time. There are more of us now as well.”

“I’m aware that there is a Hunter that I may or may not trust, sitting beside me. What shall I do about that?”

He looks at me with ominous eyes. “Trust no one.”

I laugh and say, “I don’t. Now, could you please leave? We need our beauty rest.”

He laughs and says, “I’m not leaving.”

“And why not? I don’t recall inviting you over for a sleepover.” I look over at Sage, and she is snoring. Wow, she is a big help.

“Because, they are searching in a large pack, and it’s not safe to be alone.”

“And you think you can protect us?” I laugh and roll my eyes. “Plath, just leave.”

“I’m not here to protect you. It’s not you and your friend they are searching for tonight,” he says.

“Then for who? We are the rebels who want to expose our Sphere, remember?”

“They are coming for me, Orion.” Well, that was not the answer I expected.

“So you came here to put us all in danger? Thank you for being so considerate.”

He looks upset by my assumption and says, “No. I came here because it’s the last place they’ll expect me to be.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “How so?”

He rubs the back of his neck and looks at me with annoyed eyes. “Because, I would be stupid to be with the Dwellers I let live.”

I lean back on the couch and laugh. I laugh not because this is funny, but because this guy is an idiot. “You need to leave.”

“And where do you suggest that I go?”

“Your… Oh, I don’t know… House?”

“I’m no longer welcome in Clifton. Not since I decided to allow you to live. On more than one occasion.” He runs his hands through his hair and leans back into the couch.

“Do you want me to offer for you to stay with us or something? How do I know that you are not lying to me? You could be plotting to kill me in my sleep.” I stand up from the couch and start pacing around the living room. I can’t believe he expects me to allow him to stay! I start cursing under my breath, and I notice he is walking out the front door.

Against my better judgment, I hurry to the door and catch it before he closes it all of the way. “Plath…”

His hands are placed in his pockets, and he has his hood over his head. “What?”

I can’t believe I’m saying this. “Get your ass back in here. It isn’t safe out there.” He smiles and walks back in. Sage is going to be so pissed.