Afflicted

The street was empty and I let the curtain fall back into place as a shiver ran down my spine.

"Wass goon on?" Lacey mumbled as she rolled over and spotted me.

"There was a guy out there acting kinda creepy," I said as I moved back to the bed. "I called nine one one in case it's one of the people affected by the water."

"Really?" Lacey jumped up and ran to the window to have a look out.

"He's moved on. Probably long gone by now," I said as I tried to settle back in bed.

"So he's definitely not that weirdo who's staring up at me and waving a knife above his head then?"

I jumped out of bed and ran to the window with my heart pounding. I scanned the view twice before Lacey burst out laughing.

"Bitch," I said, letting out a shaky laugh.

I couldn't help checking the view one more time before I stepped away from the window.

"It's nearly half five," Lacey said as she checked her cellphone.

"Not a time of day I'm used to seeing," I commented. Not that I felt like I'd be able to get back to sleep again any time soon.

"Why don't we take advantage of our early start and head into the city now?" Lacey suggested. "We could miss the worst of the morning rush and then be done early enough to miss the evening rush on the way back."

"That sounds like a good idea," I said slowly.

"I can hear a but..."

"But what about the creepy guy out there?"

"L’ets just start getting ready and hope the Monitor updates you about him before we have to leave."

"Okay," I agreed as I started to head for the shower.

I cursed as I remembered the water was probably still out but moved into the bathroom to check it anyway. I twisted the taps but nothing happened. With a resigned sigh, I used bottled water to brush my teeth and have a quick wash.

I found Lacey rooting through my wardrobe when I returned to my room. She pulled out an orange shirt and waved it at me with a grin.

"You mind?" she asked, ignoring the fact that she'd already snooped through my clothes without asking.

"You don't usually ask," I laughed.

She grinned at me and headed into the bathroom. My cellphone buzzed on my bedside table and I grabbed it to find a text from the Monitor.

Monitor 05:41 - Suspect apprehended at 05:39. Thank you for your assistance in this case.

"They got that guy!" I called.

"Great! I just thought of something that would make our trip even better too," Lacey said as she came back into the room. She was dressed in her jeans and my shirt which looked amazing with her dark skin.

"You know I hate you right now right?" I joked.

"Huh?"

"That shirt looks a million times better on you than it ever has on me."

"Well that would probably go for most of your clothes," Lacey laughed. "But seriously, we should go to your dad's apartment when we get to the city."

"Really? They'll be back here later anyway-"