Despite saying he wanted to talk, Anders hadn’t said a word since the two sat down across from each other in Caleb’s living room. He kept glancing at his watch, what, was he wasting his time being there or something? After waiting for him all this time, now he was impatient?? Wow, the real Bancoran would never.
“Look,” Caleb finally broke the silence while standing up. “You don’t want to be here, I get that. Not when you could be back at your office and working on more important things. So you can leave. I’m not going anywhere-”
“Who said I wasn’t doing important work?”
“It’s just you keep checking your watch, and-”
“Force of habit,” Anders stated. He, for some reason, then decided to unclasp his watch and slip it into his pocket. Caleb squinted. Was this some way of mocking him?? What’s his deal??
“Now then,” he pulled out his notebook and pen. “We can talk.”
Caleb felt his heart begin to race. “About what? I told you everything I know, I- I’m not a suspect, am I?? I was almost abducted myself-!”
Anders glanced up. “Nothing like that. I wanted to clear up something you mentioned that night.”
“Something I said..?”
He nodded. “You were out of sorts, so I don’t expect you to remember everything, but you mentioned somebody warning you of the abductors before you were attacked. Do you recall this?”
“I-” Caleb looked at the ground. “It was a stranger. A very kind stranger..”
“A stranger that knew of the Floss Flowers abductions. Knew what they looked like.” He flipped open his notebook. “Can you describe what this person looked like? The one that warned you?”
Caleb blinked. He... never really took a good look at the stranger... “They were... wearing sunglasses I think? And um... no real distinguishing features?”
Anders raised an eyebrow. “Could you be more vague?”
“I’m sorry! I-I didn’t think anything of it at the time, I’m sorry... I wish I could be more helpful-”
Caleb squeaked because suddenly Anders moved a whole lot closer than across the couch. He was practically sitting next to him. “Hey, it’s alright, I was teasing. I guess I’m not that good at it.”
“N-no, not really..” Caleb breathed.
Calm down. Calm down! He’s just trying to lighten the mood, this isn’t an elementary school playground where teasing means he likes you, shut up! Caleb’s thoughts were racing.
“I appreciate all you’ve done for me so far, Caleb. And even if you don’t remember what this person looked like, I’m glad they did help you.” Anders reached over and patted Caleb’s shoulder. It was gentle, so gentle... He wanted to lean into it...
“I guess... you got everything you came here for?”
“I did.” Anders gave Caleb’s arm a light squeeze before standing. Caleb almost whined for him not to go, but that would be unprofessional, wouldn’t it..?
“Goodbye then..”
Anders turned and smiled. He gave Caleb’s head a pat. It sent... shivers down his spine...
“We’ll keep in touch.”
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