Wet Eyes And A Tired Soul

Gwyen Anderson looked down at her phone for what seemed like the millionth time that night. Each time her stomach had dropped just a little more. By now it was a gnarled, uneasy pit in her gut. There wasn't anything she could do but sit, wait, look every so often at her phone and try not to let her welling anxiety get the better of her.

Where in God's name is he?

She should have been expecting this. This wasn't the first time Uziel had done this to her. He would suddenly disappear without warning and then come back a few days later without any explanation of where he'd been. Now she should have done what any rational woman would have done and dumped him. A man you couldn't rely on isn't one you should ever be in a relationship with. She herself had preached those very words before. However, Uziel wasn't her boyfriend. No, her real boyfriend Viiro was back at the house with only a hastily scribbled note that told him she had to run, not to worry, and there was plenty of frozen dinners in the freezer if he was hungry. Even without saying Viiro would undoubtedly guess what had happened.

Gwyen sighed. When did my life get so fucked up?

Just three months ago she had been a normal college junior; on track for graduation and finals to study for. Now going back for the fall term next week was the farthest thing from her mind. Her life was so much simpler before Uziel and if she was being honest with herself, before Viiro as well.

Her phone buzzed snapping her out of thought and causing a mini-heart attack. Snatching it up quickly, she unlocked it.

One New Message from Uziel: Be back in 10

Without thinking she threw the phone at the wall.

"That's it? That's all you can fucking manage to say?!" she yelled as if she could reach the man who'd sent the text. "God damn you!" Despite the range of strung out emotions coursing through her, relief was the strongest. He wasn't dead. He wasn't missing. He was okay.

Twenty minutes later the door to the motel room opened revealing Uziel. By this time Gwyen had picked up her now cracked i-phone and had regained her composure. She sat on the bed with her arms crossed looking what she hoped was intimidating despite her creased jeans and two day old green blouse. She didn't bother with even a hello and got straight to the point.

"Mind explaining to me what the fuck is going on before I walk out that door and never look back at your lying face again."

"Hello to you too," Uziel replied without missing a beat sounding like he'd been gone two hours instead of two days.

"Cut the bullshit, Uziel. You haven't contacted me once after dragging me with you without notice. I don't know why I believed you when you said this was an emergency but by the look on your face and the casino telltales I'd say Vegas has lured you in once again."

Uziel's face had dropped the energetic pretense. He tossed his keys on the table and set his jaw. "I don't have to explain myself to you. You know why I couldn't just leave you at home while I was out of town. And don't assume, yes I was at the casino but it was business."

"Like hell," she muttered under her breath.

Anger spread across Uziel's face, "Have I ever fucking lied to you?"

Gwyen looked away. It was true but it didn't make things any better. So what if he didn't lie to her when he pulled shit like this on her. "I would have been fine at home. You don't have to protect me anymore."

"Like hell," he replied in the exact tone she had said moments earlier.

For a moment they just looked at each other. She looked over his skinny frame and dark hair. He didn't look injured which was a silent relief. If he wasn't lying and this trip was for business the dealers he had been contacting could have as easily turned on him as they could have given him a good price. There was something wildly unstable in his green eyes that made her look away first. Like he knew he was wrong but if given the choice would do what he did again.

She sighed, "We can't keep doing this. I've got Viiro now."

At the mention of the other man's name Uziel tensed, "He can't protect you like I can. What if that bastard comes back for you?"

"It's been three months, I don't think he is," she shuddered despite her words. Uziel was referring to the vile man who'd attempted to rape her one night while walking home. It was only chance that Uziel happened to hear her screaming that late at night. The man had gotten away but not before promising to track Gwyen down again. Uziel had promised her that he'd never let that happen.

"I'm not taking that chance with you."

She gritted her teeth and despite herself tears welled up in her eyes, "I can't keep doing this anymore! I have a life, a school, a career to get to. I'm tired. Tired of it all. Just . . . no more. When we get home I don't want to see you again.... for at least a good while Uziel."

He was stunned, "But . . ."

She stopped him before he could say anything to change her mind. As much as she was tired of this she didn't want to let him go and if he talked to her she knew she'd give into him.

"No, there is no discussion." She couldn't hold back tears any longer. They streamed down her face but she didn't move to wipe them away. Her pride wouldn't let her. "Goodnight." She said hastily then ran into the bathroom slamming the door.

Uziel stood there still shocked. He stared at the bathroom door. Words weren't forming coherently in his head. All he knew was that he'd screwed up big time and that this time she actually might not forgive him. Slumping down into the nearby chair he put his head in his hands and gritted his teeth as he endured the sound of Gwyen's muffled sobs coming from the bathroom door.