An Aiding Shadow [3]

(Malory)

We approach the guard booth.

“Evening, Clark!” Kyle greets the guard.

“Good evening, Kyle, and to you too, Miss...”

Oh no...

No I didn’t tell him my name...

Fake names... Fake names...

“Grace,” I say, offering him a smile. Kyle and I share a brief side eye before he turns back to Clark.

“Grace,” Clark says, “Lovely to see you again. How are you, Kyle? Haven’t seen you out and about recently.”

“I’ve been sick,” Kyle laughs. “Grace here,” he pulls me spontaneously towards him and I don’t struggle but I go wide-eyed for a moment, “well, she rushed over when she heard. Helped me out a bit.”

Kyle Davidson... Let go of me!

What do you think you’re doing?

“Well, it’s good to see you moving around again,” Clark says, sounding genuine. “Be safe. Both of you.”

He opens the gate for us and we step out.

“Yea, have a safe one, Clark. I’ll see you later,” Kyle says to him at last.

We walk out of the gate and Kyle is still holding me by my waist. We walk until we’re out of sight.

Kyle bursts out laughing and it surprises me to see him so at ease. “He didn’t even see the bruise! Lloyd... it’s official. Your makeup works wonders.”

I finally pull away from him.

“Hey!” He protests.

“That was not necessary, Davidson.”

He smirks, smugly. “We’re going to have to act like that if we’re doing the play, Lloyd. It was just practice.”

“Practice, my ass!” I shudder, “Stay the hell away from me.”

We continue walking towards the taxi stand, and in the back of my mind there’s a faint feeling of something missing –warmth; where Kyle’s hand had been.