It’s hard to concentrate on work when you’re cooped up in your one room apartment alone. But it’s harder when there’s a grown man pacing around like a aged lion behind you, especially when you’ve seen him naked.
Tiva stared at the blank screen. She typed a word and deleted it for the three-hundred-seventy-sixth time.
“Are you gonna stop pacing any time soon? Some of us have jobs. It’s already hard to concentrate with your constant whining,” Tiva said.
“Or, any news on the missing drive?” Limen pleaded.
“No sir. Haven’t found anything yet,” Or responded.
“That’s the fifth time you’ve asked today alone. When will you give it a rest? You’re not getting your drive back.” Tiva turned back to the screen.
“Obviously it’s really important or I’d have gotten over it by now!”
“Really? It’s important? Then what is it?” Tiva knew that’d shut him up.
“You know I can’t tell you that.”
“I don’t know anything,” Tiva stood up. “Because you won’t tell me a damn thing!.You arrive at my place two days ago, stinking like death and I save your life, and you act like I owe you anything or should know the reasons for your actions! Just tell me or shut up about it!” Tiva immediately felt the tinge of guilt at having blown up at her new friend. Her hand reached into her pocket, fingering the drive.
“If I told you, you’d think I was crazy. But this is like fate-of-the-human-race important. It’s safer for you if you don’t know.”
Tiva rejoined, “You barged in here and nearly got me killed! You don’t get to decide what’s safe or not safe for me anymore. Now tell me.”
“I’m sorry,” he whimpered.
“Get out of my house,” she whispered with a quite that could crush granite.
“No. Please. I’ll never survive out there. Please,” he pleaded as she backed him toward the door.
“Or! Please show our friend out”
“Yes, ma’am,” the door swung open.
“Please. I’m sorry. I’ll tell you what it is. You don’t understand the threat we all face; who we’re really dealing with.”
Tiva knew she needed to let him back it, but maybe he would learn a lesson. She responded, “What. is. it.”
“All I can say out here is it shows they’re not really what you think. Now please let me in. I don’t want to die.”
That sounded rather unlikely. Tiva raised her voice. “Or! would you plea–“
*Thud*
Tiva watched helplessly as the harpoon pierced through Limen’s leg and pulled him to the floor, dragging him toward the end of the hall.
“I’m sorry sir,” the calm feminine voice called over the loudspeaker. “I must take you into custody. You are under arrest for… first degree murder. All surveillance logs can and will be used against you.”
Bryan Appley 