Chapter 5 Golden Eyes in the Dark

DAVE

Blood spread across the right side of her shirt.

I wanted to call an ambulance-but stopped. She could barely stand. I couldn't risk scaring her... or trapping her.

"Meredith," I said, stepping closer, voice low but firm. "You need help. Hospital-level help. Now."

She pressed a hand to her side, shallow breaths shaking her. "No hospital, Detective. Please... you don't understand."

"I don't understand?" I gritted my teeth. "Your blood's on a knife. Your prints are at the crime scene. DNA-"

"I had nothing to do with that," she snapped, voice tight. "I'm not a criminal. I run a company. I'm busy. I'll be fine. Just... go."

"I can't just go," I said, scanning the wound again. Deep. Jagged. Yet... almost healing itself. "You could be dying. I'm not leaving you like this."

"I said no hospitals," she whispered, shaking her head. "I don't need anyone interfering. No one should know. You don't get it."

"I get it," I said, lowering my voice. "You're high-profile. People notice. But I know a doctor-discreet. No records, no one will know. Just here to patch you up. That's all."

She shook her head, a little more forcefully this time. "I cannot have anyone touching me, Detective. People would see me. I can't... I'm exposed enough as it is. You have no right-"

"I have every right," I said, keeping calm but firm. "You're hurt. You're vulnerable. That's all that matters right now. You're human, Meredith. Humans get hurt."

She pressed her lips tight, shoulders stiff. "I'm not... like other people, I can handle this. You don't get it. I handle everything myself."

I stepped closer, my voice softening. "I don't care about your company, your reputation, or who notices. You need care, now. I'm not leaving until you accept it."

She hesitated, eyes flicking to the window as if checking outside. Shoulders sagging slightly, she finally said, "And... if I let your doctor come... no one will know?"

"No one, You'll stay in your apartment. It will be discreet and quick. I'll be right here."

A long pause. Then, finally: "Okay... fine. But just... don't touch more than you need to."

I nodded, relief washing over me. "Good. That's all I need. Just stay still. You'll be fine."

I looked up and froze. Her hazel eyes... they flickered gold. Just for a second. But enough.

"Your eyes..." I whispered under my breath. Heart racing. "Did they just... flash gold?"

She dropped her gaze immediately. "You're imagining things," she said softly. But her tension betrayed her.

I shook my head. "I'm not imagining anything. Something's not right here. You're hiding something."

She flinched as I reached for a clean cloth and antiseptic. "Focus on the wound. That's all that matters," she said.

I dabbed carefully, wrapping the wound as best I could. Every motion brought me closer, yet she didn't pull away-just watched me, tense but composed.

A noise outside cut the quiet. Something-or someone-moved past the blinds.

I tensed-not just at the sound, but at how she reacted. Her body stiffened, ready to move. And then... her eyes.

Her eyes glowed, bright and fierce. This wasn't a trick of the light-it was real. They were locked on the shadow outside, her whole body tense, ready, and alert

I stepped back, my heart racing. "Meredith... what the hell-?"

She didn't say anything. Every part of her was alert. Those golden eyes stared straight at me.

Then, just like that, it was gone. Her eyes went back to normal, calm. But my heart was still racing. That power... it was still there, hanging in the air.

"Please... just go now," she whispered, low, almost pleading.

I didn't move away "Meredith... what the hell is happening to you?"

Her eyes shone a little gold in the dim light as they met mine-a silent warning that made my stomach twist.

I clenched my fists, torn between shock, curiosity, and doing my job.

"Then tell me one thing, Who attacked you? And why won't anyone else know?"

She didn't answer right away. Those golden eyes stayed in my head. Whatever she was hiding... it was dangerous. Way more than I could understand.

Outside, the shadow moved again. The room felt tense, like you could cut the air with a knife.