The other side of the project.

"Not far; right downtown."

She strolled passed him, motioning with an index finger over her shoulder that he should follow her.

"Why? Did you have somewhere else to be?"

Catalina's only response was to look over her shoulder and smile. It wasn't precisely a kind smile, at least, no sane person would have considered it kind.

She led him downtown to a plain, simple looking two bedroom house. While the outside was nothing to gawk at, neither so bad or so good to catch attention, the inside was given personality.

Her color scheme was shades of white and dark, crimson red. She had a fancy for thick, red curtains that covered her windows and darkened her home. Along the walls of her living room was floor to ceiling bookshelves. Notable, she had no television.

Her kitchen was connected to the living room, separated only by an island counter. To the side of the living room was a hallway, presumably leading to her bedrooms and the half bath.

Once they had come inside and were in the living room, Catalina pointed to the hallway.

"Down that hall on the door to the right is my bedroom. The shower is in there."

Catalina waited for him in the living room. She brewed a pot of tv as he showered and grabbed an old book from the shelf. She flipped to a random page and read.

She had positioned herself to be facing the hallway, so he couldn't sneak up on her. It was nothing person, but Catalina would never turn her back to anyone who posed a threat.

"Ginger honey tea," she told him without looking up. She finished whatever passage she had been reading and closed the book, setting it gently on the table.

She had already set up the coffee table with two cups, the teapot, milk, and sugar cubes.
Her teacup was full and without milk, but she had left his empty.

As a young girl, Catalina had learned never to give a predator a reason to attack you. It was a lesson taught through brutality and not words.

"How long do you usually stay in control before Zach comes to the forefront?"

To Cat it seemed this side was willing to be more honest with her. That was a little strange to her, but then she had always gotten along better with violent men than gentle ones. That certain said something about her.

"Depends. Even if you did, you would need to return for your clothes."

She took a sip of her tea, watching him over the rim. Her eyes were calculating.

"I like you," she said at last. "You're fun. Tell me, what is the most efficient way to call you out from Zach?"