From the moment I met him, I’ve felt safe and protected, but also completely comfortable with him to the point where I’ve constantly let him hold my hand. His charming ways make me laugh, but his depths make me want to know more. It’s rare to find someone who makes me feel this way. I like him.
For the rest of the movie, we steal small glances at each other as if unsure of this attraction between us but unable to let the idea go. My mind is full of what-if scenarios that seem stupid in the light of everything, but I couldn’t care less.
The movie ends, and the lights come on, but neither of us moves. Lost in our own world, we sit there, savoring this moment, actively resisting the return of reality. Unfortunately, the usher comes in and starts collecting trash, a signal for us to leave.
River tosses the empty popcorn bag into the trash. “Let’s grab a pizza and take it back with us. We can always eat it later.”
This time, it’s me who slips my hand into his. “Sounds good, but no pineapple or other weird stuff like anchovies.”
His mouth twitches. “I knew I liked you for a reason. How do you feel about a BBQ chicken pizza?”
“Love it,” I tell him, letting him guide me across campus to get the pizza. Five minutes later, we’re walking back to Jordan’s, pizza in hand. “Did you like the movie?”
He laughs. “I couldn’t tell you a single thing that happened in it. All I could think about was that kiss.” His voice is full of disbelief, as if that’s never happened to him.
“Best movie ever,” I state with full confidence. It was too. It’s my turn to laugh at the incredulous expression on his face. “The kiss too.”
Satisfaction fills his face, along with an edge of heat. “I…” Two black SUVs shoot past us, and he immediately moves us into the doorway of a nearby convenience store as a third one flies by. “No, no, no.”
“It’s them, isn’t it?” I ask, already knowing the answer. I’m not sure I’ll ever look at a black SUV the same way again. “What do we do?”
He thinks about it for a second. “Let me text Jordan.” He hands me the pizza and pulls out his phone. After sending it, we wait, but there isn’t a response. “We can’t stay on the street. I know a back way to Jordan’s that will allow us to check things out. If they’re not there, we can grab our stuff and find a new place tonight.”
He takes off with me following close behind. Fear chokes the breath in my lungs, making every breath a trial. River turns down a back alley and slips into a stranger’s backyard. I glance at the windows to see if anybody is home, but they’re dark. At the side of the house, he stops at the gate and peers through the wooden slats.
Curious, I join him and gasp. We’re directly across from Jordan’s apartment and the street is full of SUVs. The door to the little studio is open and men are going in and out with stuff, including the backpack filled with my clothes and toiletries. One of my shirts is hanging out, making it clear they’ve already gone through it.
Dismayed, I stare at it. They’re taking the only stuff I own. Why do they even want it? It’s obviously not full of anything dangerous.Damn.I take that back. Lionel’s gun was in the bottom of the bag. Anger makes me grit my teeth. At least, I’ve got the go bag with me.
River motions for me to follow and silently leads us back to the alley. He leans down to whisper in my ear. “They’ll spread out until they’ve canvassed this whole area. I know a place we can go tonight where they won’t think to look.”
Numb, I nod and let him lead me away.
For the next few blocks, he keeps a steady pace and until we get to the other side of the university, his only words directional. Finally, he stops.
“I haven’t seen anyone following us, so I think we’re good. Do you want anything to drink?” He motions to the convenience store on the corner. “The place we’re going is pretty rough.”
I nod and trudge into the store with him. The clerk behind the counter barely glances at us, which is a good sign, I guess.
“Water, please.”
He grabs a couple bottles of water and a phone. “I’m going to try Jordan one more time. If he doesn’t answer, I’ll ditch this one.” His explanation makes little sense to me, since I don’t know what can or can’t be traced, but I nod in agreement.
When we leave the store, River turns right and begins walking at a fast pace.
Uneasy, I look around. “Why are you hurrying? Do you see them?” I can’t help the tremble in my voice.
He stops. “No, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you, but we need to hurry. It’s dark, and this isn’t the best part of town. Fifteen minutes, I promise.” He takes off again.
True to his word, a short time later, we stop in front of an old warehouse. Built of grey cinder block, it’s two stories tall and completely non-descript with its lack of signage. The white door is peeling paint and padlocked, but at this point, I don’t care. I’m so exhausted, I’m ready to break into it myself.
River quickly picks the lock and opens the door. “Careful.” He points to a large metal piece sticking out of a huge pile on the floor. “The warehouse is full of old car parts and some other stuff, but there’s a path through the center to the offices in the back.”
Light from the streetlamp outside shines into the second-story windows above us, illuminating part of the room, which is full of similar stacks of large metal parts and bins containing smaller pieces. It’s not two stories, like I thought, but one story with very high ceilings.
I immediately sneeze three times. “It’s also full of dust.” Dust at least an inch thick covers everything in sight.
River’s staring at the phone in his hand. “Damn it. He hasn’t answered a single text.”
