Catching Up (Riley And Tzeitel)

Tzeitel had just finished with her client. She sat on a bench, head tilted back as she poured a sports drink down her throat.

“Glad to see you're still keeping in good shape” Riley chuckled “even took my advice about doing more squats.”

Tzeitel frowned at Riley, reaching into her pocket and wrapping her fingers around her switchblade. “Have you been fucking with the sauna?”

“I just got into town today and have been spending my time with Loreen both at a murder scene and hospital” Riley replied in a calm manner “bonus points for going for the blade but I recommend a punch dagger as a backup hidden in your bra.”

“You’re just a pervert.” Tzeitel muttered, pulling out the knife and absently flipping it open. “Who was murdered?”

“Just saying an extra blade never hurt” he shrugged “and it was a drifter. Possible cult sacrifice.”

Tzeitel was hating everything about this conversation. Ami should be safe since she was only ever at school, the library and home (ah, poor naive Tzeitel) but this town was so dangerous Tzeitel was thinking more and more about not waiting for Ami to graduate and go away to college. Tzeitel was thinking of taking her little sister out of school and moving now. “What do you want?”

“Loreen wanted me to check on you. Said Cody was worried” he replied leaning against the wall “Also I wouldn't recommend moving unless the town you move to has my family members in it.”

“Cody needs to focus on himself.” Tzeitel scowled. “You have family members everywhere. I don’t want Ami getting attacked by some sick fucks in a cult.”

“They'd have to go through every defender of this town to get to her” he replied “we'd all give our life for her.”

“Nobody protected this cult’s last victim.” Tzeitel pointed out. “Are you anywhere close to catching them?”

“What do you think I've been doing these last couple years?” Riley sighed “I've been hunting them down and now they're on their last leg.”

“That’s what you'd say if you were still far from catching them.” Tzeitel said pessimistically.

“Always the optimist” Riley teased with a chuckle.

“I'm a realist.” Tzeitel said. “Ami's a great kid. I'm not going to let anything happen to her.”

“None of us are going to let anything happen to her” he replied.

Tzeitel wished she could trust them, but couldn't. Not after growing up on the streets where it was more common to be betrayed and lucky to only be abandoned when things got tough. She tightened her fingers on the switchblade.

“Look I get it wanting to protect the ones you love” He admitted “lord knows I’d do the same.”

“This place is strange and it’s not safe.” Tzeitel said, flipping the switchblade in her hands as she often did when feeling stressed.

“It’s the price you pay once you peek beyond the veil and discover that there are things that go bump in the night” he sighed “Just remember though you’re not alone.”

“Alone is how I did everything.” Tzeitel said. “Trusting others has never gotten me anywhere.”

“What about Klaire or the others” Riley asked “not to mention Ami is friends with Nikolai and the twins.”

Tzeitel frowned. More than a little of her wanted to trust Klaire. But the last time Tzeitel had trusted anyone she had been a kid, and it had gotten her hurt and led to her near death. She shook her head, squeezing the switchblade. “Hopefully Klaire’s kids don’t get Ami into trouble before she goes to college.”

“That reminds me Klaire wants us all together for dinner at her place tonight” Riley said checking the time on his phone.

Tzeitel frowned, trying to come up with an excuse to not go. Ami was close friends with both of Klaire's weird kids and Tzeitel worried about Ami getting mixed up in what Klaire was into through them. But Tzeitel knew she couldn't control who Ami was friends with. Tzeitel thought about safe quiet Canada.

“Just think it over Klaire would appreciate it and do would I plus I'll be bringing Loreen with me” Riley replied “with the lives we lead it'll be nice doing something normal for a change.”

“I do plenty of normal things!” Tzeitel protested irritably. So much of her youth had been abnormal and bad she hated any implications that her life was anything other than completely ordinary.

“Not saying you don't was talking more about myself” Riley replied pulling some gum out of his jacket and offering her some.

Tzeitel rejected the gum. “I have plenty of food at home, half a dozen avocados that are perfectly ripe right now and I’m not wasting them.”

Riley shrugged before popping some into his mouth. “Just think it over I'm sure Loreen and Klaire would love to see you.”

“I already made up my mind, and I have a whole dinner planned for my family.” Tzeitel was exaggerating but did not want to be persuaded to go.

“Fair enough I won't twist your arm” he shrugged standing up to crack his back. “Just think about my advice on keeping a backup weapon hidden on your person.”

“I’m fine.” Tzeitel said icily.

Riley nodded and checked his phone “just let Klaire know if you're coming or not. If you'll excuse me I'm going to go pick up some flowers and Loreen's favorite snacks.”

“Klaire can know I’m not coming when I don’t show up.” Tzeitel muttered, turning to the weight bench.

“Good talking to you too” he replied heading towards the door.