"Alyssa, thank God. I've been worried to damn death. Where are you?" he breathlessly releases with relief.
I walk over to the window and peer out at the sign.
"Motel Lassier in Higdon, Canada. Don't ask. It's been a rough few days. It's good to hear your voice though."
And I mean that more than he realizes. After Thad's advance, I really miss my human. I felt gross before, but after kissing a changer... I just feel dirty.
"You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice. Are you okay? You mentioned going into the woods, and then I never heard back. Did you find your mom?"
I hold back my truly miserable emotion, and then I murmur, "No. We never found the cabin her friend told us about. I'm okay though."
"Did you run into any problems?"
Several.
"We had something a little... odd happen, but you'd think I was crazy," I murmur, not really able to completely lie to him the way I probably need to.
I almost want to tell him who I am and what I'm meant to become, but I'd scar him for life and take away his naïve bliss. It'd be selfish and illegal to tell him the truth.
"Try me," he says with sincere curiosity
.
"It's crazy. Anyway, we're still tracking down my mom. Frankie and I met up with some… colleagues of his, and now I've been tossed in this motel to wait until they get back with info."
"They left you alone?"
He curses loudly, his anger spilling over. It makes me smile to hear his protective tone, a warming feeling spreading over my weary body.
"Yeah, but I'll be okay. I live alone, you know."
I expect a small chuckle, but I get silence.
"You there?" I ask, wondering if we've been disconnected.
"I can't believe he just ran off and left you alone," he murmurs while offering a few more spewed profanities.
"Well, I'm glad to have a minute to myself. I'm exhausted, I smell like days in the woods, and I look like hell. I'm going to take a long, hot bath, and then I'm going to get a full night of sleep. Believe me when I say I need sleep."
He sighs and then murmurs, "I'm sure you do. Call me later, okay?"
I smile bigger, feeling the butterflies attacking my stomach.
"You really care, don't you?" I ask, feeling my cheeks sting from the ridiculous smile I'm wearing.
"Very much. Does that mean you'll call me?"
His flirty tone, makes me wish he was here.
"Yeah. I'll call. Talk to you later."
"Bye, Alyssa."
I smile while hanging up, and then I head back to the bathtub that is eagerly awaiting my disgusting, tragically ragged body.
The water heats my skin almost too much, and I sigh in content as it rises to be up to my neck when I become fully submerged. I need this so, so badly.
I wake up to a pounding at the door, and I shiver as the water I'm in reminds me it has turned to nearly ice.