I lay thrashing about in the bottom of the bath tub, nude, and half wrapped in a tangle of shower curtain. I slipped, and my 7 foot 2 inch frame made more noise than I thought possible as I grappled for anything to keep my balance. I failed and took the shower curtain with me. The spray of water seemed to suddenly change direction as though the shower head had taken on a life of its own, adding to the chaos.

"Hey Mallik, you okay?" Darryl's muffled words came through the door.

I heard a click from the bathroom door knob and struggled to cover myself. "Don't come in. I'm fine!"

Time moved slowly as my head spun toward the door. It was that endless moment of horror you feel as your car careens from the road and carries you to your death.

Darryl pushed the door open and rushed over to the fixtures to shut off the torrent of water blasting me and much of the bathroom floor. "Hey! You okay?"

His deep brown eyes traveled the length of my pale wraith-like body to my waist. I watched his caring and friendly face twist into an expression of complete disgust. "What the hell are you?!"

Hot tears slid down my cheeks as my eyes blazed white light. "Get out!" I sat upright and pulled my knees to my chest.

"What the Fuck!" Darryl backed away slowly as if he had just stumbled upon a ravenous animal eyeing him as its next meal.

His back hit the wall and he let out a yelp. He turned and ran out of the bathroom. I heard his feet pound through the small hotel room and then the jiggle of metal as he fumbled with the lock. I clambered out of the tub and watched as he flung the door open and fled into the cold and lonely night.

I loved him, had killed for him, and now he ran from me, in fear for his life. I rose and pulled a towel from the rusting shelf on the wall and wrapped it around my waist. We aren't the kind of night creatures that call the police, so I didn't fear unexpected company. I made my way across the room and closed the door, shutting out the cold and noise of traffic. At least tonight I would have a warm dry place to rest, even if Darryl didn't lie beside me. My fears and hopes combined with the thoughts that he might return.