Facing the Man of Her Nightmares

Bailey paused at the edge of the Agency's steps. She did not want to walk inside. She knew what, specifically who was waiting for her. She felt a shiver. Just the thought of him made her skin crawl. No one really understood what he put her through. He was a different person when they were alone.

After two years, she finally started to move on. Yet, here she stood – on the foot of the doorstep, and she had to face him again.

Her heartbeat raised. She snapped out of her daze when Naomi grabbed her arm.

"You, ok?"

Bailey nodded and took a step forward towards the doors. Before they could open the pristinely clean glass doors, it opened for them. Joe stood on the other side.

"Morning,"

"We still don't like you," Naomi said.

"Noted, do you want to stay here and simmer, or come along?" he stared at Bailey and Naomi, motioning for them to come inside.

Bailey walked forward, but Naomi made sure to bump shoulders with Joe as he closed the door. He just sighed.

"Want me to get you a coffee?" Joe asked.

"No, I had plenty considering you didn't drink yours yesterday," Bailey said. "Where is he?"

"You want to see him behind glass first? "

"No, because then I am gonna run…" Bailey said.

"He did a real number on you, huh?"

"He has a way with people, that's for sure…"

"And yet he saved your life," Joe said. "Got to wonder what is up with that?"

"Hero or villain, I don't care…he's not normal…and you will see with our interaction…" Bailey said. "Take notes, maybe you guys might actually realize who you are dealing with."

Joe walked through the narrow corridor. He stopped at a grey door with a steel plate. It had "INTERROGATION ROOM" engraved on it. She took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and opened them.

"I will be right next to you," Joe said.

"He won't want that…give him the illusion at least, that I am the only one there…he's chained to the table, right?"

"Yes, he won't be going anywhere close to you, you just stick to the opposite side of the table," Joe said. "Are you sure?"

"Positive, you want answers, right?" Bailey gritted her teeth. She imagined that doorknob being red from the heat.

"Don't think, just do," she said as she opened the door. She stepped inside to see his figure. His hair. His eyes. His head turned slowly as she closed the door without turning around. She dared not turn her back on him. She could see that he was literally shackled to the table.

Bailey took a step inside, one, then another, then another. The room was completely silent, making the creak of the chair so much louder. She sat down and her eyes met with him.

His lips twitched, forming a smile. "Hello Bailey, miss me? "

"No, I didn't think about you at all,"

Clay Tsk'd. "Such a shame, I thought about you every.single.day." He tilted his head. "You remember the day? Do you think about college? Think about ever going back?"

"Why on earth would I? And why am I here? You promised to give us information…regarding the mastermind behind…"

"Do you know that hyenas shake and break the spines of smaller prey…, and once the victim is down, they start eating –doesn't matter if they are conscious or not…. feeling of bones being gnawed,"

"I did know that, actually," Bailey crossed her arms. "You called me here, now a deal's a deal. I am here."

"Yes, you are, and you are prettier than I remember…you change your hair?"

"I am not here for casual chit-chat, I want answers…"

Clay leaned closer. "Ask away, cupcake."

"Who is the mastermind behind the college attack?"

"Silva…haha," Clay gave a little chuckle. "He goes by Silva, he's got a fun personality…likes to see dead people, that kind of thing."

"That's sick,"

"Yeah," Clay tapped the table. "Next question?"

"How does this Silva look like?"

"He has many names, many faces…it's a little hard to tell, but look a little closer, and you will find out…" Clay smiled. "You change your hair? It's only fair…"

"Yeah, I put in purple streaks…and cut it shorter…"

"I like it, short, short short short is the drop, long is kill…the more bones you break, the longer the thrill…have you ever snapped a human bone? It's so weird like you hear the snap…. but you don't see anything," Clay sat back and laughed. "Not unless it breaks through the skin, I soaked my jacket with Teddy…I had to chuck it."

Bailey took a deep breath as she stared at Clay. "Why did you save my life?"

Clay raised his brow. "Easy, I like you. You're clever…clever…" He tilted his head. "I missed that smile of yours…and those eyes…such pretty eyes…you're doing really well for yourself, but isn't your job boring? "

Bailey knew better than to take the bait. "Do you know where Silva is now?"

"Check out Headward Wooden Cupboards…. neat little shop. You could wander around, but open the wrong door, and you might lose a limb…or find one, either way," Clay smiled.

"Is Silva there?"

Clay just shrugged. "I missed that neck of yours…and those lips…" Clay stared at Bailey who swallowed hard. "Tell me, when I swung a bat, saved your life? Did you enjoy watching?"

"What happened to you?" Bailey asked. "Why are you like this?"

Clay sat back. He stared at the mirror. "That's a story for another day. Another time."

"You won't see me again," Bailey said. "Ever."

"Ooof, promises, promises…." Clay laughed. "You know, I am not gonna ask for you next time….you'll come back to me…I know it."

"Why? Is there something you're not telling me?" Bailey asked. "Is Silva coming after me?"

"Feel scared? I did too until I didn't care anymore…" Clay leaned closer. Fear does funny things to people. Do you know? You would know…you still know. I see it in your eyes." Clay's eyes widened as his smile widened. "I can show you a way out."

"No, thanks, I'll deal with my fear on my own," Bailey said as she stood up. She turned to walk out.

"You know friends are funny things, I want to be your friend, can I be your friend?"

Bailey turned to see him leaning back again and smiling. What spooked her was how innocent he looked in that split second. She shook her head as she opened the door and walked out, as the door closed, she heard his distinctive laugh echo through the room.