The rising sun hung low over the compound, painting the sky in broken streaks of orange and purple.
Cherie leaned back from the pan of soaking clothes, the smell of blood and dirty water sharp enough to keep anyone awake. She lifted a wrinkled hand to shield her eyes as the gates creaked open.
I took my time with the gas pedal as I entered the compound slowly. I had already felt eyes on me, confused, already charged with questions about where I had run off to last night.
I already made a vow to myself that I would answer none.
I parked the vehicle, stepping out before slamming the door. I was a was about to make my way past Cherie.
"Where the hell've you been?"
"I was taking care of something."
I said evenly, my eyes tracking her face and down to the pan where she had her clothes in. The skull insignia of the letterman jacket was soaked in blood and water.
Her eyes were focused on the car that I had just parked.
No one in the backseat, or the front.
