An unexpected meeting

Kristine Atterbury, Contributor

The night was still, only the sharp chirping of the crickets disturbing the hushed silence every now and again. In the distance a dog barked once, twice. The moon hung half hidden behind the clouds, and the quiet neighbourhood street was shrouded in darkness. The power was out.

Shane couldn't believe his luck. Thanks to the reliable inefficiency of JPS, this job was going to be easier than he thought. He pulled out the keys that Precious had given him, and made a silent prayer. It might have been unreasonable to expect that God would help him steal, but he figured the Almighty would understand. He needed money, and this man had lots. It was as simple as that. Picking pockets on the bus just wasn't cutting it anymore - people hardly carried cash around anymore, everyone using their bank card wherever they shopped. Then his cousin told him about a big, expensive house where she was working as a helper. It was just what he needed.

Sliding the key into the lock, he pulled the door open and slipped through, shutting it behind him swiftly. The house was almost in complete darkness. He smiled to himself, feeling more at ease now that he was inside. After his eyes had adjusted, he moved through the large kitchen quickly, and turned the corner into the living room. He came face to face with a girl.

Both of them froze. Shane bit back a curse. She looked around 19 or 20, not much older than him. She must be the man's daughter, he thought to himself. He was going to have a serious conversation with Precious if he ever got out of this.

The girl spoke. "Who are you?" she asked, and her voice was surprisingly strong and unafraid. He couldn't see her face properly in the dark. Shane looked around him nervously. He had no weapon on him with which to threaten her. He wasn't prepared for confrontation, he liked to take things from people's pockets, their backyards, from their houses while they were away or asleep.

He made a menacing step toward her and noted with some satisfaction that she stepped back. "If yuh know what good for yuh, don't scream."

"Do you hear me screaming?" she asked, her tone sarcastic.

Taken aback by her complete lack of fear, Shane wondered what to do next. Could he get out and far enough away before she called the police?

"Well?" the girl demanded.

Shane just looked at her.

"I guess you want me to give you all our money and valuables then?"

"What?" he asked her in disbelief.

She tilted her head and put a hand on her hip. "Is this your first time?" she asked, mirth creeping into her voice.

show of force

Humiliated, Shane stepped forward and grabbed her by the elbow. He wasn't sure exactly what he was going to do yet, but he felt he needed to make a show of force.

Suddenly he heard the notes of Dont cha by the Pussycat Dolls playing. He glanced towards the dining table and saw an iPhone vibrating and flashing merrily. Their eyes met for an instant and, as he launched himself towards the table, arm outstretched, she did the same, throwing her body directly in his path. They collided with a collective 'oomph!', and his hand missed the table by an inch as he fell on top of her. Cursing under his breath, he felt her shaking beneath him and an unwelcome wave of guilt coursed through him.

He looked down and, to his dismay, he saw that she was not shaking out of fear. In fact, she was laughing. This girl was clearly mad.

"I'm sorry," she gasped. "This is just so funny." Wiping her eyes, she giggled some more. "You really don't know what you're dong, do you?" At this close proximity, he could see her a little better - caramel skin, a heart-shaped face, and large brown eyes. Her mouth was wide and full, her teeth perfectly even. Tiny silver dolphins gleamed in her ears. She wriggled beneath him and Shane felt his body respond in a way that was entirely inappropriate, considering the circumstances. He yanked himself away from her and stood up.

"How yuh can be laughing?" he asked her incredulously. "I could be a rapist, a murderer, anyting."

She stood up, brushing off her skirt. "Are you a rapist or a murderer?"

Shaking his head, he decided to cut his losses. He turned and began to head towards the back door when, suddenly, a light cut through the kitchen window and he heard the unmistakable sound of a car pulling into the driveway. He was going to get caught. Precious had said the house would be empty tonight. He gritted his teeth in frustration and looked around frantically. Then the girl materialised by his side, slipping her soft, small hand into his. "Hurry up, come," she whispered, and tugged at his shirt. Shane had no choice but to follow her.

She led him back through the dining room, up a flight of stairs, and into a large room at the end of a long hallway. Once inside, Shane looked around him. A pink, scented candle sat flickering on a small white table. A large canopied bed sat toward the back of the room, and various pieces of clothing were strewn all over it. He looked at the girl with exasperation.

"This is your room?"

Heavy footsteps

She nodded, and pressed a finger to her lips as the car engine outside shut off and the front door opened and closed. Heavy footsteps moved up the stairs and another door opened and slammed. Then he heard the squeaking of pipes as a shower was turned on.

Shane turned around and was startled to see the girl staring at him, her eyes luminous in the dim glow of the candlelight.

"You're cuter than I thought," she said. He shot her a look.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming toward the bedroom door.

"Katherine!" a rumbling voice called. Eyes wide, the girl pushed him towards the large closet next to her bed. Shane needed no encouragement. He slipped inside and reached to pull the double doors closed, when the girl slipped in behind him.

"What the hell you doing?" he whispered.

"Shhh!" she said.

The bedroom door opened and he heard the sound of heavy breathing. The girl stepped back, her body brushing against his in the tight, cramped space. The scent of vanilla filled his nostrils as her hair tickled his chin. After a long moment, the door was pulled shut and the footsteps moved away. Shane let out his breath slowly.

Katherine moved to open the closet door but he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.

"Wait first," he whispered.

She turned to face him and nodded solemnly, yet there was a trace of excitement in her eyes. Shane stared straight ahead and tried to ignore the smooth buttery feel of her skin beneath his hand. He was starting to feel hot and claustrophobic. Katherine shifted closer to him and he gave her a look of warning, even as his hand tightened on her shoulder. She looked up at him, her eyes impossibly large, her lips soft and pink. Before he knew what he was doing, he had dipped his head towards hers and she had tilted her face to his, and then his lips were touching hers in a kiss that was as sultry and exciting as it was absurd and impossible.

She made a soft sound in the back of her throat, and Shane pulled her closer, his hands tightening over the thin fabric of her sundress. The sound of a car starting made both of them jump, and she stepped back, covering her mouth, as if even she was startled at herself. Shane listened carefully as the car backed out of the driveway and sped down the road.

Releasing her, he pushed the closet doors open and stepped out, feeling as if he had just walked out of a dream.

"Ah should leave," he said.

She stared at him frankly. "Why?"

He laughed for the first time that evening. He shook his head, jingling the keys in his pocket.

Glancing outside, he saw that the moon was completely hidden now, and it was almost pitch black. He laughed again and she laughed with him. Then, he reached for her.