Lexi groaned as an errant ray of sunshine assaulted her eyes and the insistent alarm clock spewed profanity. Her head felt like it would explode and her mouth tasted like an army of plumbers had marched through on their way back from unclogging overflowing toilets.<br/><br/>“Mother of God, “ she muttered as she groped on her side table for some ibruprofen that she kept in the drawer. This wasn’t her first hangover and she was able to tap out five red tablets with her eyes closed. She also kept a bottle of water ready to hydrate herself from the night’s binge of alcohol poisoning. Still with her eyes shut, she went into the bathroom and turned on the shower.<br/><br/>After the alternative hot and cold water shower, she stepped out, ready to open her eyes. She screamed. Written across the bathroom mirror was a message in what looked like blood,<br/><br/>“You don’t know who you are messing with. Take a hint and walk away. No hard feelings. Be free, little bird, be free. Come closer and we will gut you.”<br/><br/>Lexi screamed again, twice. Mister von Engels! She thought, hastily wrapping the towel around herself and peering out. He was in the zone working at his computer. Had he come in while she was in the shower? Why was he warning her off? Was he part of that plot? She wondered in panic.<br/><br/>She looked inside the cabinet, but that was the only place to hide in here and the bathroom door had been locked. The window was closed. She turned back but the mirror was clear now, only a few traces of steam left in the room. Lexi whirled back around, the evidence being gone nearly as disconcerting as its presence.<br/><br/>“Mr. von Engels, what time do you plan to leave?” she called through the door while she hurried to dress for the day.