We all wake up late, and I’m so thankful it’s the weekend. I let Plath sleep in the bedroom, and I forbid him to come out until I come and get him. I need to explain this to Sage before she sees that he’s still here. I have a cup of coffee ready for her when she comes out of the bathroom. I do my best impersonation of Puss in Boots from the movie Shrek and say, “I fixed you a cup of coffee.”

She hesitantly takes it from my hand and slowly sits down next to me. “What did you do?”

I use my tiny voice that does miracles in situations like this. “I adopted a dog.”

“You… Adopted a dog?” She smiles and takes a sip of her coffee.

“Well, close enough.”

“Plath is staying, isn’t he?” She sets her cup down on the table and crosses her arms over her chest.

I nod my head and say, “It is the least we can do. He did spare our lives.”

“I still think he likes you.” She laughs and lights a cigarette.

I push her shoulder and put my finger to my lips. “Shhh! He is here, and he will hear you! Damn you, Sage!”

She takes a hit off her cigarette and laughs. “It’s the truth. Where is he anyways?”

I snatch the cigarette from her, and she unsuccessfully tries to get it back. I take a long hit off of it before replying. “In the bedroom. I made him stay in there until I talked to you.”

She lights another cigarette and laughs. “Okay. Well, I’m going to get some lunch. Do you want anything?”

“No thanks.”

Sage grabs her things and heads out the door. I make my way down the hallway and make sure I have my knife in my pocket. I don’t fully trust him yet.

I knock on the door. “Plath, you can come out now.”

I watch the doorknob turn and the door slowly open. He leans in the doorway and smiles. “Am I allowed to come out now?”

“Yes, she is okay with you staying.” I walk back towards the kitchen.

“Thank you,” he says as he follows behind me.

I open the fridge and look for something to snack on. “No problem.” I find some jelly and decide to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I offer Plath one, but he declines.

I take a drink of my milk and set my cup down. Plath is sitting across from me at the table and has stared at me the entire time I’ve eaten. “Tell me about your life in Clifton. That isn’t too far from Dandux.”

He scoffs at my question. “I haven’t had a life. As soon as I turned three, my parents shipped me off to start training. All I know is how to hunt and kill.”

My voice, full of sarcasm, I say, “That makes me even happier we are allowing you to stay.”

His lips form into a straight line, and I wonder if I said something wrong. His eyes seem darker as he gets lost in his thoughts. I start cleaning up my mess and try to ignore his sudden mood swing. I sit down across from him and raise an eyebrow at him. Interrupting whatever he is thinking about, I say, “I want to know something, Plath. Can I trust you?”

His expression turns soft, and his eyes meet mine. “Why? Do you want to trust me?” I nod my head. “I don’t know how to answer that. There may be moments you can trust me and others that you can’t. You should know by now that I’m not safe to be around.”

I laugh. “Oh, don’t worry. I will kill you quicker than you can blink if you try some stupid shit.”

“You have too much confidence in yourself. Anyways, what about you. Can I trust you?” He asks, his mysterious, dark eyes staring deep into mine.

“Do you want to trust me?” I ask and half grin. He nods his head and smiles.

For a brief moment, we stare into each other’s eyes and at the same time we realize what we are doing. He jumps up from his chair, and I do the same. He runs his hands through his hair and says, “Do you mind if I take a quick shower?”

I take a deep breath and let it out. What just happened? I’m embarrassed, and my voice and expression show it. “N-not at all. Go ahead!”

I quickly make my way out of the front door to get some fresh air. Dammit, Orion! What were you thinking? I pace back and forth, trying to wrap my mind around the silent stare we both just shared. It was as if we were reading into each other’s minds, like we understood each other in that very moment. Even worse, that we were attracted to one another.

I see Sage pull into the parking lot. I quickly make my way back into the apartment. Plath is still in the shower, and I’m thankful I don’t have to socialize with him right away after what just happened. I convince myself that it’s no big deal and turn on the TV.

Sage walks in, and I notice her eyes searching for Plath. “Where is the dog you brought home?” She laughs at her own joke and sits on the loveseat.

“Shower.” I refuse to look at her and keep my eyes on the TV. I don’t want her suspecting a thing.

Plath comes out and sits down on the other end of the couch. I don’t dare glance in his direction. I laugh when I catch a scent of my shampoo and body wash.

“What is so funny?” He props his feet on the coffee table.

“You smell like a girl.” I look at him, and he is laughing.

“I plan on going to town later to pick up things for myself. I will also find a job and help pay for rent and food. I truly do appreciate this.”

“So, are you like nice now?” Sage looks at him skeptically.

He looks at her and grins. “For the moment.”

“His moods change by the minute. Brace yourself. In two seconds, he will hate the entire universe and try to murder us all.”

He looks irritated and hurt by my statement. I look away from him, but I can feel him staring at me. I keep my eyes locked on the television show, but I’m not paying a bit of attention to it. I look in his direction, and his intense stare only deepens when our eyes meet. Look away, Orion; this is a bad idea. I tell my better judgment to shut the hell up and continue to stare. It’s easier to just give in instead of trying to resist the pull.

“Okay! So, we need to come up with a plan!” Sage breaks the odd attraction happening between us, and I remind myself to thank her later.

“Right… So, what are you thinking?” I ask while hating myself for being so stupid.

“I think that we need to find somewhere else to live. This place is not big enough for all of us.” Sage is searching my eyes for an answer about what just happened between me and Plath. I shake my head silently telling her to leave it alone. She rolls her eyes and smiles.

“That is a good idea. I can start searching now if you would like me to.” Plath looks at the both of us for an answer.

“I will help you,” I say, and I hear Sage giggle.

I shoot an evil glare in her direction, and she becomes silent. I grab my messenger bag and throw it over my shoulder. I make sure my gun is loaded and place it securely into my left boot. Plath also checks his weapons.

Plath looks at Sage and says, “Do you want to come with us?”

“Ummm, that would be a negative. I think you two have things to talk about.” Plath and I both become stiff by her response, and she laughs. “Besides, I have things I need to do.”

We leave the apartment, and Plath takes the keys from me. “What are you doing?” I ask.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” He asks with a cocky grin.

“Being an ass as usual.”

“No. I’m going to drive.” I roll my eyes and get in the passenger side.