Chapter Twenty-Three
Since Diablo had been gone, all sorts of awful scenarios played out in Fallon’s head. She didn’t know what she’d do if something happened to him. He was her life, her love, her everything, and she couldn’t dare entertain the thought that he may be killed. Stop acting like a weak ninny. He’s been in the club for a long time. He knows what he’s doing. But she also knew that life could change in an instant without any warning.
“I’d like to get this,” a thin man said as he laid his book on the counter.
The customer’s voice brought her out of her reverie. She rang up the book and bagged it, grateful for the line forming at the cash register; if she kept busy, she wouldn’t think of Diablo and that he may be hurt.
As she rang up the last customer in line, her phone pinged. Her heart jumped, hoping it was Diablo. She quickly opened the text, but disappointment settled in. It was from Annie, the woman she’d met in Tula several weeks before. They’d gone out for coffee the previous week.
Annie: Hey. R u up for dinner and music. Bored out of my mind.
Fallon sighed. She wasn’t really in the mood to listen to music, but she figured it’d be better than sitting alone and thinking about Diablo.
Fallon: Sure. Where and what time?
Annie: The Burger Hamlet @ about 7?
Fallon: That should work. See you then.
Happy that she had plans for the evening, she went over to the boxes stacked against the wall and opened them. After picking up several books, she began arranging them on a nearby table. As she worked, a strong sense of foreboding hit her. Her eyes watered and she quickly said a prayer for Diablo’s safe return.
For the next half hour, the feeling of doom grasped her no matter how hard she tried to shake it. The hairs on the nape of her neck stood up and an icy chill seized her. What’s the matter with me? She turned around and her breath caught in her throat when her gaze fell upon a man of medium height with dreadlocks. His face had numerous piercings and the coldest eyes she’d ever seen. He speared her with his stare, and shivers shimmied up her spine. She turned away, but she still felt his eyes on her.
“Did you open the boxes that came in this morning?” her colleague, Jerry, asked.
His voice startled her and she jumped.
“Are you okay?” Jerry said.
She giggled nervously. “You just startled me. I opened the boxes and am arranging some of the books on the display table.” She shifted her glance to the front and searched for the man who’d creeped her out. He wasn’t there. Looking around the small bookstore, she didn’t see him anywhere.
“Did you see a guy with dreadlocks standing by the door?” she asked Jerry.
Shaking his head, he said, “No. Why?”
“Oh nothing. He just looked kind of scary.” I wonder if I imagined him. This thing with Diablo has got me all jumpy. Grabbing more books, she continued displaying and stacking them until it was time to close the bookstore.
When she was home freshening up, her phone pinged. I hope it’s Diablo. She went over to it and opened the text, grimacing when she saw it was from Shanna. What the hell does she want?
Shanna: Ur dad is sad that u haven’t returned any of his calls.
Fallon: I’ve been busy.
Shanna: It’d be nice if you talked to him.
Fallon scrunched her face. “What are you up to, Shanna?” she said under her breath. She’d had enough of her fake concern.
Fallon: Gotta go.
She didn’t answer Shanna’s subsequent texts. Not trusting her at all, a sense of foreboding overcame her again. It wasn’t as strong as it’d been in the bookstore but it was there, seeping through her pores and wrapping around her nerves, and she couldn’t shake it.
Forcing herself to get ready for her night out, she jumped into the shower, applied a small amount of makeup, and slipped into her short black skirt and knit top. The skirt was much tighter than what she was used to wearing, but Raven had insisted she buy it, and she had to admit she loved the way it looked on her. Grabbing her purse and glancing one last time in the mirror, she made her way to The Burger Hamlet.
Annie sat at a two-seat booth along the wall. Fallon liked her. Annie was very different from her: vivacious, adventuresome, and calm. She was also pretty with her dark hair and chestnut brown eyes.
“This hamburger is amazing. I heard it was a good restaurant. Have you been here before?” Annie said before taking another bite.
“No. I’m new to Alina. Did you move here?” Fallon replied.
Annie nodded, her curls bobbing around her face. “My boyfriend got a good job offer at one of the farms around here. I like it better than Tula. It’s bigger and there’s more to do. How do you like it?”
“This is the first time I’ve been out on my own, and I love it. I work part-time for Just One More Chapter. It’s the bookstore on Main Street. I really like it. How long have you been with your boyfriend?”
“A few years.” Annie picked up a fry and popped it in her mouth.
Before Fallon realized it, three hours had gone by. It felt good chatting with Annie about everything and nothing. Fallon had never really had a close friend, and she thought Annie may end up being her best friend. They had so much in common.
“I thought we could listen to some music at the D Note. You game?” Annie pressed her remote and her car lights flashed on.
“That’d be good. I heard they have live bands.”
“See you there.”
* * *
The two women sat near the front of the stage as a cover band crooned out hits from the 80s and 90s. Fallon ordered a margarita while Annie had a beer. People danced, and Fallon found herself wishing Diablo were there so she could sway to the music in his strong arms. She couldn’t wait for him to come home. She missed him so much. He was such a big presence in her life that it seemed strange to remember her life without him in it.
I wonder if he’s in love with me. From the way he acted and the things he said, she thought he was, but he hadn’t told her he loved her. She wanted to hear those words from him. She loved him with everything she had, but she was afraid to tell him in case it scared him away.
Annie excused herself to go to the ladies’ room, and Fallon ordered another margarita. As she sipped her drink, she felt someone staring at her. Shifting in her chair, a slight chill ran through her. Rubbing the back of her neck, she looked behind her and straight into the flat eyes of the man she’d seen at the bookstore earlier that day. Hair lifted on the back of her arms and her heartbeat raced, nearly exploding.
The man with the dreadlocks didn’t move a muscle, just leaned against the wall, his dark eyes fixed on her. She stared straight ahead. Fear bubbled in her chest, but she didn’t want to show it. Turning sideways, she looked at the threatening figure from sidelong glances. He hadn’t moved from his spot. Although every nerve in her body tingled, she plastered on a placid face, showing him that she wasn’t easily intimidated.
Annie pulled out the chair and sank down on it. “What’s going on? You look as white as a ghost. Are you sick?”
Fallon shook her head. “Look behind you. Do you see that man with the dreadlocks? He keeps staring at me.”
Anne turned around. “What guy? I don’t see anyone with dreadlocks.”
Fallon twisted around in her chair and looked at the empty spot. Where did he go? She scanned the bar but couldn’t find him. He must be here somewhere. I know I didn’t imagine him this time. Or did I? Am I going fucking crazy?
“Are you sure you’re all right? You don’t look so good right now. Do you want to go home?”
Her breath came out choppy. “I am feeling out of sorts. I should go home. Sorry if I spoiled your evening.”
“You didn’t. I’ve got to work in the morning. Let’s go.”
The two women paid their tab and left the establishment. Outside, Fallon kept looking around to see if she could spot the man with the dreadlocks. No one was there.
“I had a good time. We’ll have to do it again soon,” Annie said.
“For sure.” Fallon climbed into her car and started the motor.
On the way home, she had a sense that someone was following her. Every few seconds she glanced in her rearview mirror, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. You’re just being foolish. Why would anyone want to follow you? That guy’s just got you all spooked.
She pulled into her parking space and got out. As she walked down the path leading to the front glass doors, she heard a shuffle behind her, like a shoe against the pavement. She stopped. Nothing but the soft rustling of the leaves by the night breeze.
I know someone’s here. I can feel them. Iciness traveled through her veins as she took another couple of steps, the light scraping behind her picking up once again. I just need to make it to the front door. I can do this. With her heart slamming against her chest, she pushed onward, ignoring the footsteps. Then a stench like stale cigarettes and beer invaded her nostrils and she looked back. The dreadlocked man’s burning stare—lethal and penetrating—slayed her. His warm breath touched her skin.
“No!” she screamed as she struggled to make it to the front door.
He didn’t say anything before he reached out and grabbed her arm, his jagged nails tearing at her skin. Then the front door opened and a couple came out. The man let go of her and dashed away, and her head spun. Stumbling to the front door, she murmured her thanks to the couple who held it open for her, and she went to her apartment.
Clammy sweat drenched her skin as she leaned against her closed door, gasping for breath. He must have followed me home. He knows where I live. Panic seized her. She felt the urge to run, escape, hide. It was no different than when she was a child fearing the belt, the hairbrush, or whatever her dad came to beat her with. She wanted to jump out of her skin, make her heart stop racing, and catch her breath. It felt as if someone was choking her. Her heart was racing, and all she wanted to do was curl up into a ball and wait for Diablo to come back to her. She sank to the floor, gasping like a fish out of water, the room spinning out of control.
A long time later, she pushed up from the floor and brushed her hair from her damp forehead. Securing a straight-backed chair, she dragged it over to her front door and placed its back under her doorknob. Then she arranged the sticks she had the man at the hardware store cut down for her in her window and sliding door tracks. She splashed cold water over her face and shrugged off her damp clothes. Lying down on the bed, she took out her phone and sent a text to Diablo.
Fallon: I’m missing you like crazy. Hurry home. ♥♥
Wrapping the comforter around her, she fell asleep waiting for his reply.