Afflicted

"And why weren't you keen Kaitlyn? Were you concerned that we might not approve?" Dad asked me.

"No of course not. Ryan's really nice, you'll love him, I swear. We only just started dating though and it's awkward doing the whole 'meet the parents' thing so I just wanted to be sure-"

"You only just started dating?" Dad arched an eyebrow in the way he did when he caught someone out in a lie. "Reese just informed me this has been going on for months."

Ryan glanced between the two of us awkwardly and dropped his hand.

"He only just became my boyfriend two days ago!" I insisted. "Reese is just trying to get me in trouble as usual." I hated my stupid brother's stupid face and I was going to punch him as soon as I got close enough.

"It's true Mr Lewis. I asked her to be my girlfriend in front of all of our friends, you could check with any of them," Ryan said backing me up. I flashed him a grateful smile before returning my attention to my dad.

"Okay then Ryan, I'd like to have a word with your parents while I'm here about setting some ground rules for the two of you." My dad tried to take a step into the house but I didn't move aside.

"Oh," Ryan said uselessly, looking to me for help.

"They aren't here," I said quietly, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.

"So you're telling me that the two of you have been here alone for hours?"

"We didn't do anything," I said, feeling my cheeks flare red. "We were stuck in the storm shelter half the time, hoping we weren't going to come out and find the world destroyed."

My dad glared at me for several seconds before switching his attention to Ryan.

"This is my little girl Ryan. If I get the slightest inclination that you might have thought about disrespecting her in the littlest way then we're gunna be having words. Understand?"

"Yes Mr Lewis," Ryan swallowed nervously. "You don't have to worry about anything, I really like Kaitlyn and I wouldn't do anything to-"

"Damn straight you wouldn't. Let's go Kaitlyn." My dad turned and walked back to the car.

I glanced at Ryan and mouthed 'sorry' before hurrying after him. As I reached the car, Reese gave me a huge smile and I felt the last shred of affection I had held onto for him wither and die. I was going to make him pay for this if it was the last thing I did.

Chapter Fourteen

Kaitlyn

The next day came and went from the confines of my bedroom. I was too angry at my parents to leave the four walled sanctuary and they were too angry at me to try and make me. By the time I heard them go to bed, I had exhausted the small supply of candy and the half bottle of water I'd found in the depths of my purse. My stomach growled angrily and I decided to risk a trip to the kitchen for supplies.

I eased my bedroom door open and crept out onto the landing. The weather had stayed cool in the wake of the storm and a chill raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

I made it down to the kitchen and left the lights off as I headed for the fridge. I opened it and found a covered plate sat in the centre with a post-it stuck to it with my name written in my mom's handwriting. I felt my anger melt a little as I pulled the plate out to find my favourite pasta dish and a chocolate cupcake waiting for me.

I risked using the microwave to warm up my dinner and perched on the kitchen counter while I waited for it.

A shadow shifted outside the window and I stilled as I squinted through the venetian blind. I sat and waited for the movement again but nothing happened.

The microwave pinged and I hopped up to retrieve my meal.

I was so hungry that I started shovelling it into my mouth before I'd even taken a seat at the breakfast bar. The steaming pasta burnt my tongue and I cursed as I abandoned the plate and ran to fill a glass of water at the sink.

I swore again when nothing came out of the tap and headed back to the fridge for the bottled water. When I finally had a full glass, I returned to my food and forced myself to slow down so that I didn't burn my mouth again.

When I finished my meal and my stomach was feeling wonderfully full, I headed to the sink to deposit my plate.

Something moved outside again and this time I pulled the blind back to get a better look.

A large shape lurked in the shadows by the hedgerow. I stared at it as my stomach knotted and waited for it to move again. It shifted slightly but still didn't reveal itself. I began to feel like whatever it was was watching me too and dropped the blind back into place as I stepped away from the window.

I stood in the dark silence as I considered what to do. I was probably just freaking myself out over nothing. I could just head up to my room and forget I'd even seen anything. But a nagging voice in the back of my head was telling me that I should make sure it wasn't a burglar.