He flicked the kettle on, glancing out the window at the birdfeeder.
Part of him wanted to march outside and tear it from the earth, but another, more savage part, wanted to show Chad why he no longer put out seed for the birds.
He might not have seen the raven for weeks, but he imagined it flew over the house, checking for prey every day.Chad was going to feed it, and Romeo would let him if only to see the shock and hurt on Chad’s face when it swooped down and viciously stabbed a bird to death in front of him.
Perhaps it was punishment.
Perhaps he hoped the brutality might jog Chad’s memory.
Romeo didn’t know why he didn’t demand Chad take it down or remove it himself, but it remained in the field, full to the brim with seed with no birds foolish enough to take the bait.
****
Ally blasted her carhorn a few times when she arrived.
Romeo lay back on the bed, still not fully rested after his night in the outhouse, he cradled his hand to his chest and shut his eyes, silently praying he didn’t have the same dream twice.
When he woke, the sun was beginning to set.
He got up and watched out the window.
The mist looked more orange than gold, settling over their field of bodies Chad couldn’t remember.His nose twitched with the smell of something recently cremated, and he wondered what Chad had been forced to eat under Ally’s watchful eye.
When he heard voices in the hallway, he moved to the door, cracking it open so he could listen.
“Are you sure I can’t stay?”Ally asked.“I’ll be as quiet as a mouse.”
“That’s doubtful,” Chad snorted.“I appreciate it, but I’m fine.”
“You kept saying that before, and before it had been a lie...”
A tense silence followed.
“I’m not lying now,” Chad said softly.“I...Look, I’m confused, working stuff out, trying my hardest to remember, but I’m not...”
“Suicidal.”
Romeo dug his nails into the side of the door.
“No.I’m not that,” Chad replied.
“Make another appointment with Keeley.”
“I will.”Chad promised.
“Are you taking your pills?”
“Yes.”
“All of them?”
Chad chuckled.“Yes, Ally, I’m dosing myself up regularly on all my medication, thanks for asking.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow, if you don’t pick up—”
“You’ll drive here and give me a piece of your mind.”
“You bet,” Ally chuckled.“And I’ll refuse to leave.I’ve retired now, so I can dedicate all my spare time to watching your sorry ass.”
