Kara A friend once told me that men were like a herd of zebras. Every one of them looked the same and faded into the background unless it had one distinct characteristic that made it stand out. Like a big red cape on him. If that was the case, then Cameron had a cape and a hammer. With blinking red lights. And I wasn't the only one who noticed. I have learned that when your boyfriend is a beautiful creature, most everyone wanted to look. That was cool. In fact, I'd be shocked if they didn't. The problem begins when your boyfriend is beautiful and hot. Add the quiet mystery surrounding him because no one really knows who he is, the delicious danger you feel when he looks directly at you, and the huge, solid body and rough hands that showed how hard he works, then the mix turns lethal. Most people wanted to do more than look. I could hear the girls talking about him in hushed, highly excited tones as Cameron entered the office. His eyes shot to where my desk was, and when he found that empty, scanned the whole room. Passed the lounge, passed the huge conference room, passed the girls who were blatantly giving him come-hither looks, then he glanced up at the top of the stairs where I was standing, and our eyes met. He didn't smile. There was a jolt inside me that made me catch my breath. I bit my lip as I watched him walk toward me, unhurriedly, as though last night at the drive-in, in the dark intimacy of his truck, didn't happen at all. He stopped when he reached the bottom of the staircase. "Hi," I said. Why did his mouth look extra kissable today? Were his lips always that pink? I'll come in your mouth next time. If you want. "Kara." I closed my eyes for a second, feeling a sensual wave slide over my body at the sound of his voice. My lips felt dry. I licked them nervously. "I heard you're taking over Elijah's job while he's gone overseas." "Yeah." That meant Cameron would be busier and would be accompanying Rick more on out of town projects. I wondered if I'd see him this week at all. He hadn't left yet, but I already missed him. On the practical side, what did he plan to do about his classes? He treated college like a hobby and mentioned before he might have to drop and enrol again next semester if he missed any more. It was a good thing winter break was just around the corner. I could feel several eyes watching our every move, trying to eavesdrop on our conversation. As far as they were concerned, Cameron didn't talk to anyone at the office except when it was necessary. And as far as I was concerned, no one knew about us in the office except for Rick. It was kind of fun. Okay, a lot of fun to be secret lovers. From the smile on my face, Cameron knew it and was playing the part. "Well, see you." I descended the stairs and just as I passed him, he said very quietly, "I want you again." I stopped in my tracks, slowly turned around. "Why don't you say that to me again when you get back?" Now he smiled. A wolfish, playful I'm-ready-to-bite-you smile. He didn't say anything after that. No goodbye, no see you later. He dropped some papers on Rick's desk, shot me another meaningful look and left. It was... jarring to the senses. Cameron was irresistible. The girls descended on me when I went back to my desk. "What did he say to you, Kara?" "He said he needs to do number two." "Nooo. But he doesn't do number two. He doesn't even fart. He's supposed to be perfect." "Well he asked where he can get toilet paper and if I have any anti-diarrheal meds." "Way to ruin my fantasies." "Sorry." Not. "She's back," Jerika murmured beside me. I looked up and saw through the window a flash of black. The front door opened again and this time there was a silence that dropped in the room like a bomb. Her beauty was undeniably glorious. It was the kind of face that you never forget. Winged brows, long, sharp eyes, straight nose, and a wide mouth painted in dominant, shiny red. Her hair was black as ink, tied in a sleek ponytail that showed off her graceful, long neck. There were brilliant diamonds in her ears that glittered like bitter tears. She was dressed in funeral black, but I had the impression that she didn't need any color to stand out. She was the color. A box tied with a ribbon that looked like something from an expensive bakery was in her hands. Some women in high positions carried themselves with a quiet, dignified power. This woman screamed it with every step she took. The confident sway of her hips told me she was the type who knew what she wanted and would not take no for an answer. The kind of woman, I thought as I watched her take the stairs without looking at anyone around her, that could make your back straighter or make you curl up in your seat to hide. The way she moved reminded me of a snake I saw once. It was behind the glass, and when I walked to it, it stood and slowly slithered closer. Its forked tongue darted in and out, like it was licking its lips from anticipation. Its long slithery body moved in a kind of deadly, elegant dance that mesmerized. The way its black, dead eyes stared at me warned me what would happen if the glass between us was gone. When the woman came down, the box in her hands was gone. And then our eyes met. It was only a second, but my body felt hideously cold. Everything seemed to go dark except where she stood. The hairs on my arms and neck stood up. Then she opened the door and stepped out. And the light came back again. Who the hell was that? *** Cameron I woke up to the petrifying feeling of a noose tightening around my throat. I sat on the side of the bed, groaning as I propped my elbows on my knees. My hands trembled as I swiped my face. I stayed like that for a moment, gritting my teeth as my body shivered in cold sweat. Then I shook myself like a dog, got up and chased away the rest of the dream in the shower. Leaning my forehead against the tiles, I closed my eyes, let the water pound my back. The scalding hot water didn't ease the tension in my shoulders. I looked up, blinked the water from my eyes as it hit me straight in the face. It was only at that moment when it dawned on me. The nightmares were back. They were usually in jumbles and snatches that I couldn't piece together, that didn't make any sense, but what was always the same, what was always present was the feeling of helpless terror in my whole body that left me feeling weak. And frightened. I hated it. Fucking hated it. They were gone for a while. Ever since that night in the maze when I told Kara what happened, they stopped coming. The reprieve was over now. I always thought it was about...Pete, my childhood friend who I failed to save when he was trapped in a car behind the maze. But after talking to Kara about it after years of suppressing it, going back through the traumatic experience again and recalling the horror of it all, there was a disturbing thought in my head that somehow my nightmares had nothing to do with what happened in the maze. Maybe my mind was fucking with me. If not, then who was it in my dream? What the hell was it? And why was I realizing it now? There was something that I should remember, but every time I tried to catch it, sharp pain pierced my head. It was better not to dig, I decided as I hopped out of the shower, quickly dried myself with a towel and wrapped it around my waist. Better not open something I couldn't close again. Steam covered the mirror and I wiped it with my palm, heard it squeaked. I stared at my reflection—at the hollow-eyed man that looked like a stranger, noted the dark circles under the eyes, the glassy look in them that reminded me of a prey being hunted by a starving predator. I hated that too. I closed my eyes, breathing deeply. Get it together, you son of a bitch. The taste of blood touched my mouth as I brushed my teeth too hard. I winced, spat in the sink. Blood never bothered me before, but at the sight of it my world instantly tilted. An image of someone unconscious on the floor flashed in my head. What the fuck? Gripping the counter, I waited for everything to return to normal. It was just a piece of the nightmare, I thought. Just a piece of it. It wasn't real.