The Devil's Mercy

Mercy

The drive is pretty smooth. Eli and I chat about music and various bands.

His taste isn’t awful, but it’s just bad enough for me to tease him about it.

He doesn’t probe or question why I’m here. He doesn’t push about my plans.

It’s actually kind of nice. In a strange, almost-first-date sort of way.

I don’t ask about his past or about his work with my mom because, honestly, I don’t want to know.

Before I realize it, we’ve been driving for an hour and a half without a break.

“Where are we headed? We’re out of the city now.” I rest my arm on the door.

“I told you—it’s a surprise.” He raises a hand as he speaks.

“What if I don’t like surprises?” I arch an eyebrow.

“What if I don’t care?” He arches one back.

I laugh. It’s surprisingly pleasant being around him. After the initial few minutes, the jerk vibe seemed to fade away.

“Can I get a hint?” I run a hand down my leg.

I don’t like being out of the loop. I hate not being in control.

“Alright, one hint and that’s it,” he says with a sigh, like a parent scolding a child.

“Okay, one hint,” I agree, sitting up straight.

“It’s a place.” He smirks.

“That’s it? The place could be my murder site. That’s not helpful.” I look at him as his smirk widens.

“Well, it’s a surprise for a reason.” He steers with one hand while the other rests on the center console.

I glance at it, unsure of why he keeps getting close to me. What is it with the people in my mom’s house not understanding personal boundaries?

“So, do you and Cami get along well?” I move my hand back to my lap.

He chuckles. “Yeah, we do okay. You and her don’t seem to.”

We exit the highway.

Where the hell are we going?

“Not really, no.” I look out the window for some kind of clue.

“I thought twins were supposed to. Like the two from the party.” He turns onto another road.

“Matty and Teddy are identical twins. That might have something to do with it. But maybe it’s because all fuckboys get along.”

Eli laughs out loud before clearing his throat.

I like making him laugh. It feels like I catch him off guard or something.

He pulls a hand over his face as if trying to hide his smile.

Finally, we pull into a parking lot and park.

“Um… Whatever this is, I think it’s closed.”

The place is pitch black and ours is the only car here.

“It is. Now follow me.” He turns off the car and opens the doors.

I didn’t bring my bag. I have no phone or pepper spray. God, what have I gotten myself into?

Hesitant, I open the door and move at a snail's pace.

“I’m not going to hurt you or anything, Mercy. I promise.” He extends an arm for me to take.

I look at him, then at the building.

It’s large, like a museum, but there’s no sign or any kind of identification.

“You know you’re the last person I was seen with. A whole party will testify to that. Just saying.” I shut the door and give him a look.

He smirks and nods his head.

I don’t take his arm. I walk beside him as he leads me to the front doors. The doors are glass, but with every light off inside, they look black.

When we reach the door, Eli swings it open and gestures for me to go first.

Why is it already open?

“Uh… Is this breaking and entering?” I cross my arms over my chest.

Eli chuckles. “No, it’s not.”

I look at him skeptically but step inside. Eli follows me. I hear the door click shut and a sound like an alarm being set.

“Okay, are you ready to see the surprise?” Eli steps behind me and places one hand on the middle of my back as he guides us forward.

It’s so dark I can’t see anything, so I let him lead me to whatever it is that I’ve gotten myself into.

“Three…two…one.” Eli pushes us through a door.

A cool gust of air greets us as the door swings open. The lights inside cast a blue hue over everything.

“Oh my gosh, Eli, this is amazing!” My mouth drops open as I take it all in.

“What is this place?” I ask in awe as a smile spreads across my face.

“It’s an aquarium. My friend’s opening it,” he answers, as if this isn’t the most amazing thing ever.

The walls are one giant glass tank filled with brightly colored fish, snails, slugs, turtles, plants, and everything under the sea.

My eyes must be as big as saucers, judging by the way Eli laughs, watching me approach the glass like a little kid.

“This... This is amazing. I love fish. I haven’t been to an aquarium since high school. This is so beautiful.” I don’t even care that he’s watching me.

I watch the sea turtles dip and glide gracefully through the water.

I watch the different colored fish weave through and form little schools of the same kind.

I watch the seahorses gallop in their own little world.

I watch the sea snails mosey along, living their lives.

I love it.

I’ve always loved aquariums. It was one of the first places my mom worked when we moved here. We would get in for free and I would draw the different animals, most of all the turtles.

They’ve always been my favorite.

I didn’t particularly want a career in art, but I do enjoy drawing.

“This is the coolest thing ever. I love it,” I gush excitedly as I walk down the large room.

Eli trails behind me, his footsteps echoing in the quiet. I’m too engrossed in my surroundings to pay him much attention. This place is incredible, and I’m soaking in every detail.

I used to love doing things like this. My dad, though, he wouldn’t have approved.

When I finally reach the end of the path, I have no idea how much time has passed. I’ve been too busy watching every creature that crossed my path. I turn to look back at Eli.

He’s got a nice smile.

I think he’s a little self-conscious, though, because he quickly drops the smile and shoves his hands back into his pockets.

“Thanks for bringing me here,” I say, trying to break the awkward silence that’s settled between us.

“Want to feed them?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

I can’t help the excitement that bubbles up inside me. I nod eagerly, and Eli chuckles before leading me into a room and up a flight of stairs to a platform. He walks ahead of me, and I take my time, taking in everything.

The room is filled with nets and boxes that I assume are filled with food. One wall is lined with sinks and bathtubs, and pictures of different species are hung up everywhere. Another wall is covered in thermometers and gauges.

I’m so caught up in my surroundings that I don’t notice when Eli stops walking. I walk right into him and fall onto my butt with a thud.

Eli turns around quickly and offers me a hand.

“I’m sorry,” I say, feeling my face heat up.

“Are you okay?” Eli asks, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Yeah, I just fell. I’m fine. Sorry for not paying attention.” I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“Hey man, what’s up?”

The unfamiliar voice startles me, but Eli doesn’t seem phased. He turns to face the newcomer.

“Hey, brother.”

Eli and the man do that bro handshake that all guys seem to know. The man steps closer, and I can see the resemblance between him and Eli. They both have a lot of tattoos, similar builds, and they’re even dressed alike.

When the man’s eyes meet mine, he grins.

“Hello, little raven.” There’s something familiar about him.

Eli shoots him a glare, and the man coughs to cover up a laugh.

“Mercy, this is my brother Cade. Cade, this is Mercy,” Eli introduces us, his tone flat.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” I say, shaking his hand.

“It’s very nice to meet you. Officially,” Cade says, winking at me.

“Officially?” I ask, confused. Eli groans.

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Cade says, holding onto my hand a little too long.

I pull my hand back and look at him. “About me? I don’t think so.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Uh, he knows Cami. He means he knows whatever Cami has told him,” Eli explains, stepping between us and turning to face Cade.

Cade throws his hands up and steps back, as if Eli just threatened him.

“Oh, I see. Another one,” I say, rolling my eyes and turning away.

“Another one what?” Cade asks, sidestepping Eli.

“Are we going to feed them or what?” I ask, changing the subject.

Great, another one of Cami’s boy toys. Probably has that twin sister fantasy.

Cade grins and bows sarcastically, gesturing for us to follow him.

“This way, m’lady.”

I head toward the door, but Eli reaches out and grabs my arm. I pull away from him.

“Let me make this clear. Stop touching me. I’m not Cami. I know it might be hard for you to understand, but personal boundaries are important.”

I step back and drop my arms to my sides. Eli watches me, amusement twinkling in his eyes.

“Personal boundaries. Got it,” he says, smirking.

Ugh.

I turn and walk into a room with slits in the floor that overlook the water below.

Cade is standing there with a grin on his face. Behind him are four buckets. He holds one out to me.

When I take it, I can’t help but smile. The bucket is filled with tiny, tadpole-like fish.

“Just dump them in the openings,” Cade instructs.

I’m a little disappointed when the first bucket of fish doesn’t get much of a reaction. But when I dump the second bucket, a sea turtle pops its head out of the water and watches me. I squeal with delight when it swims off after the fish from the third bucket.

“Go get it, Mr. Turtle!” I cheer.

Eli and Cade snicker behind me, but I don’t care.

As we leave, I take one last look at the fish. I hope Eli will bring me back here again.

Or maybe I’ll just come back on my own.

“So fish, huh?” Cade asks as we walk back to Eli’s car.

I know what he’s getting at. Yes, I like fish.

“So fish, huh?” I ask, pointing back at the building.

He laughs.

“You really like them. Why?”

He stops next to the hood of the car.

“You own all of this, all these different creatures, and you don’t see it?” I ask, frowning.

“It’s not a hobby. It’s just business.”

“That’s not what I asked. I don’t care what it means to you. You own something beautiful and you don’t even see it.” I cross my arms and lean against the car.

Eli tries to hide a smile and muffles a chuckle.

Cade looks at me like he’s seeing me for the first time.

Why does he look so familiar?

“I can see other beauty, though,” he says, winking at me.

Eli growls, and I look up to see him glaring at Cade.

“That’s a shame,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“And why’s that, sweetheart?”

Eli steps closer to me.

“You’re a full-grown man and you can’t come up with anything better than that?”

Eli cracks up laughing. Cade’s mouth falls open a bit before he pulls himself together.

“I’m not my sister. You don’t stand a chance. It’s not you, it’s me. Thanks for showing us your fish. I hope it doesn’t take too long for it to actually open.”

I glance back at the dark building, a small smile playing on my lips, as Eli opens the car door for me. I give a nod to Cade, who still seems taken aback.

Eli closes the door after I buckle up. He and Cade stand at the front of the car, talking about something I can’t hear. Eli walks away, leaving Cade to stare at me through the windshield.

I smirk and give a small wave.

The ride back is just as pleasant as the ride there.

I wince inwardly at the thought. I actually enjoyed myself. Like… I wouldn’t mind doing it again.

When we pull up to the house, I feel a twinge of disappointment. It’s strange.

I need to get some sleep. Maybe I’m just too tired to figure out what I’m really feeling.

Eli and I walk up the sidewalk in silence. We stand in front of the door, neither of us seeming eager to go in.

What’s going on here?

“Thanks for tonight.” He rubs the back of his neck, looking a bit shy.

“Thank me?”

“Yeah. I know you didn’t really want to go.” He shoves his hands in his pockets.

“Well… That’s true. But I’m glad I did. I actually had fun. Maybe…we could go back sometime?” I fiddle with my fingers.

Am I nervous?

I need sleep. I’m losing it.

“Yeah? Okay. You and me. Sounds like a date.” His confident smirk reappears.

I roll my eyes. That arrogance.

Eli takes a step closer. He stops, looking down at me as if he’s pondering something significant.

There’s plenty of room on this porch, yet here we are, squeezed together, practically in the doorway.

“Mercy, can I—”

The door swings open. Cami leans against the doorframe, looking back and forth between us.

“Oh my God, that is so cute! Mercy, your first date!” she squeals.

“Shut the fuck up.” I groan and push past her.

I don’t turn around or wait for Eli to finish his question. I rush upstairs and slam the door.

What was that all about tonight?