Eikichi taps his fingers on the table, bringing me out of my thoughts. "I brought you a gift, you know." He chuckles. "I didn't think you had it in you to be so..."
I gulp.
"Apprehensive?"
He smiles cooly.
"I was going more for... rude."
Yikes.
"Look, just..." he slides the plate a little closer to me. "Try one. I'm a baker by trade, and for you to refuse me outright, right in front of me..."
I put up a hand. "We just met. You're a stranger. I don't owe you anything."
"And I owe you my time? My information?"
"..." I start to worry at my lower lip.
He's right, but...
No, no... it doesn't matter. This is a case of personal safety, and...
I get up from my seat, the chair scraping along the floor. "Look, Eikichi Baker, thanks for your time, I'm sorry for bothering-"
"... Oh, Melur."
"..."
He smiles again, this time baring teeth.
"Surprised?"
"... I never gave you my name."
"Sure you did! Mel, short for Melur. Your last name escapes me, unfortunately, but..."
"... Do I want to know how you know me?"
"Do I want to know how you know me?"
We are both silent, neither one wanting to break eye contact. I'm horrified, rightfully so... and he is...
He's scary.
Thus, I'm the one to break first. There's no shame in that.
"Mr. Baker, I'm leaving." I begin to back away, but my eyes never leave him. He looks back at me, with those red, red eyes. Smile never fading. Smile full of malice.
I walk away slowly, still looking back at him. And once I feel I'm safer, I sprint back home.
Comments (0)
See all