Chapter Three: People Are Like Snakes.
Early in the morning, Ian walks into the living room, still suspicious about the conversation he heard Zhedya having at midnight.
"Oh my God, what the fuck is that?", he jumps back totally startled.
Zhedya laughed as his reaction, he sat calmly letting a sleek dark python coil around his arm.
"Put that away please", Ian voiced shakeningly.
The sight made Ian skin crawl but all Zhedya does is smile at him faintly like it was the most normal thing in the world to toy with a snake.
He stands up and places the snake in a glass box while Ian backs away.
"Walking around the house at midnight, missing me?", Zhedya turns to him.
"Of course not…not that. I was just thirsty..water, that's all", he rambled.
"Since you've seen my pet. His name is Blue. The poor snake has been sick for a while, I almost thought I was going to lose him."
"Drove way out of time to get him treated by the best vet. He had to be delivered to me because I have been too busy to collect him myself"
"I was on the phone with the his doctor when someone couldn't help but eavesdrop"
Ian smiles awkwardly.
"You call your pet doc at midnight?", he blurted.
"Yes, because I called that prick in the day but he only thought it was suitable to return the call at midnight. He's an old pal by the way", Zhedya answers calmly,his tone even. Ian found it hard to tell if he was lying or not.
"You should come eat breakfast, how have your writing been going?. I read your article this week, I was quite impressed like I have always been.", Zhedya immediately switched subjects.
Ian's eyes kept going back to the snake, which occasionally flicked its tongue towards him.
"I think he likes you. Maybe too much", Zhedya said in a low and unreadable tone that made him uneasy for a moment.
*****
"Been busy writing?", Ian turns to see Zhedya who stood by the door, hands in pocket.
"Yes", Ian nods. He noticed Zhedya had thin-framed glasses on.
"You wear glasses and your grey eyes?", he asked surprised.
"The grey eyes were just lenses for better sight at work. I prepare glasses at home"
Ian brushes off how the glasses made him look so different like he had a complete change in personality or body swap.
"I'm planning to secretly visit the murder scene tonight. To see if I could gather some more information about this killer for my next article.", he mentions.
"You are not supposed to leave the house", Zhedya replies in a subcommandive tone.
"What?", Ian asked, taken aback.
"I mean it's dangerous even leaving the house and there you are planning on going to the murder scene you witnessed that almost got you killed", he voiced gently this time.
"I will be fine, if you can please come along with me?", Ian requested.
"No, I'm sorry but I wouldn't let you leave, Ian. I…I remember losing my best friend because I couldn't just convince him not to leave our dorm that night."
"Lost him due to violence, blamed myself for years, fell into depression", Zhedya's voice became softer and lower, his gaze distant.
"I'm so sorry. I should probably just go to the police and tell them everything I know and experience with this killer instead"
Ian lowered his gaze, feeling guilty of bringing back those memories Zhedya seems to struggle to have buried.
"No..Just stay here. Everything will be fine soon. If anything happens to you, I will feel guilt for not holding you down enough", Zhedya disagrees.
Ian held his pale, long hands. "It wasn't your fault. I wouldn't go anywhere then, you already help me by making me stay here. I wouldn't want to bring you trouble."
Zhedya hugs him leaving Ian surprised a bit. He was being vulnerable to him.
Zhedya smiles as Ian couldn't see his expression, there was this satisfaction in his eyes.
It was just a matter of time before he was going to make Ian fully depend and rely on him.
*****
Zhedya leaves the BSI building, he was called to find out the causes of the recent murder.
He got to his car in the parking lot and was about to open it, when he took a deep breath,stopped, then smiled.
"You know I hate being followed or stalked, Zack", he turns around as a tall man with grey eyes comes out of the shadows.
"Strangling people in the streets now. Very mediocre and impulsive. Do you want to get caught?", Zhedya asked.
"The only thing that can make me get caught is that journalist you stopped me from murdering the other night, Zhedya. Why are you protecting him?!", Zack snaps at him.
"I already stopped him from going to the police and he hardly remembers your face, isn't that enough?"
"What were you thinking, when you attempted to murder a patient in my hospital?", Zhedya whispered, walking closer to him.
"If I want you in jail as soon as possible. I have my way, don't push me, Zack.", he threatens.
Zhedya got into his car driving off. "Your days are numbered", he whispered.
Zack is left alone. "Bastard", he yelled.
*****
Bow! Bow!. Ian sat in the game room, he was bored out of his mind.
His door suddenly opens, Zhedya comes rushing in..
"Is everything all right?", he asked.
"I thought you left the house. I called your name a couple of times and I didn't get a reply", Zhedya sits close to him.
"The game must have been too loud. I was…", Ian stopped talking mid sentence as he felt Zhedya place his head gently on his shoulder.
He picked up the smell of alcohol on him. Zhedya must have been drinking.
"His days are numbered", he murmured. But Ian managed to pick up his words.
"Who are you referring to?"Ian questioned.