Moth(40)

I sit on the edge of the mattress and see her opening her eyes. “Hey,” I say in a whisper. “I need to head back to my place and get some things. Are you okay here, or do you want to come with me?”

She leans up on a pillow. “I don’t need a babysitter, Moth. I’m a grown woman. I can handle myself.”

I move off the mattress and kneel at her side. “Windy, I understand you don’t want to tell me anything, but I urge you to call the police.”

“I can’t. No police, Moth. If that’s why you’re leaving don’t bother coming back.”

I toss my hands in the air. “Calm down. I’m only trying to get things figured out.”

"Fine. No cops. I don't know what you're involved in. Maybe I don't want to know, but you can't expect me to sit back and be okay about people messing with your brake lines and making you upset. Who are these people? What did you do?" I stand and begin to pace. She's leaving me no choice but to scare her. "You know what, I'm not going to put my neck on the line for someone who won't trust me. I'm a nice guy. I've gone above and beyond, but we just met. I get it. I know you don't need a babysitter. If you don't want to stay here then there is the door." I point as I say it. "I need to go home and get a change of clothes, and some school stuff. If you're not here when I get back I'll understand. I'll leave you alone and hope I don't hear about you on the news tonight. If we never meet again, good luck, Windy Lewis."

I exit the room before she can respond. I've profiled enough people to understand how this individual thinks. She needs to feel helpless before she can allow herself to open up to someone. If she's involved with Alizar there is no telling how deep her devotion lies. I'm uncertain of how this may play out, but hope it's not going to be another dead end. I need a break, and my gut is telling me she's the answer.



Back at the surveillance platform house, Renner and House are busy working with Pennsylvania Law enforcement to figure out why Windy's social security number wasn’t flagged by the missing persons database. Since the FBI has taken over we would have been notified when we started looking up the record, but nothing has happened. It makes no sense at all.

I grab my laptop and my book bag and bid them farewell for the evening. I already know what they're thinking so appreciate they are both on phone calls and can't give me shit about it.

I take my time gathering some extra clothes from my brother's place. Windy needs to think I'm through playing her games. I want answers, and I'm done being nice about it.

It's more than an hour later when I finally head back to the hotel. I expect it to be empty, but hear the sound of the shower as soon as I step inside. "It's me, Moth," I say so she's not alarmed. “I’m back.”

The sound of the water running stops. I’m standing in between the doorway of the bathroom and main area. My eyes focus as I witness one leg surfacing and then two. I’m too afraid to look higher at first. Maybe I should walk away. Maybe she expects I won’t remain. I’ve been close enough to this woman to know what it feels like to touch her, to kiss her. I’ve seen her naked when she didn’t know I was watching. Now she’s only several feet away and I refuse to budge. Right now it’s not about hiding, or the case. It’s not about extracting her from danger, or figuring out what she’s lying about. This is about my carnal desire I can’t seem to shake. I’ve seen pain, hunger, hurt, loss, but never have I witnessed such beauty as this. She’s the most fascinating human being I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I have to have her. It’s no longer a want but a need.

Our eyes finally meet and a rush of warmth overcomes me. I’m strong, but this takes hold and devours my senses from the inside out. She’s wrapped in a towel, but standing, parts of her still dripping wet. Those puffy lips I can’t stop imagining kissing are parted like she’s about to say something. I place my hands in my pockets to see if this gets a response from her. I expect she’ll ask me to turn around or go into the hallway, but her eyes never leave mine. She’s silent, assumingly contemplating what, if anything, she can do to talk herself out of what I know we’re both experiencing. In all my life, in my past endeavors with different women, I’ve never felt an attraction like this. It’s impossible to do the right thing and walk away. Instead I stand there, waiting for a sign, for permission to take a step in her direction and end this intense conundrum.

In this highly anticipated moment I predict nothing can surprise me, but the instant that towel hits the floor I’m left traumatized by my own scandalous appetite. “Is this what you expect from me, Moth?”

I shake my head before replying. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want you. I think I’ve made that evident, but I don’t expect it. I most definitely don’t deserve it.”

She takes a step closer. “You know what I don’t deserve? To be treated like an object. To be ordered to do things I’ve sworn I’d never be a part of. This life I’m living isn’t my own. For once, for right now, I want to do something for me. I want to be selfish, Monty Theroit.” She’s standing right in front of me now. Her fingers brush over my cheek while I remain completely still. “You’re here. I’m here. We’re both adults. You say you want me. Show me. I have everything to lose by letting you in my life. Nothing good can come from this, but I’m tired of being someone else. I want to feel enjoyment. I need someone to touch me that I don’t despise. Can you be that man? Can you make me forget how f*cked up my life has become?”