Tetris in Red

38: Tetris in a Rush

38: Tetris in a Rush

Rhys

I throw more things in the duffel bag.

I never really unpacked when I first got here. Every time my clothes would get back from the laundry, I folded them and returned it back to my bags. The only possessions of mine I'm packing are some toiletries, shoes and slippers, my laptop and graphic tab, and then my makeup I arranged on the vanity.

Once I'm done, I brush my hair wet from the shower and wore a sleeveless hoodie. I also put a slight makeup on to diminish my paleness and the swell on my eyes.

I have fallen in a blissful numbness after a long, hot shower. There is nothing running on my mind at the moment. My door has been locked for eight hours now and no one has dared to knock on it so far. Good for them to know better than bothering me. The sky had already turned into dusk three hours ago and the house is already silent.

I put the brush down and wear a black mask over my face, the same one I used from my date with Alec. It feels forever ago, like I just woke up from a blissful coma after a cold bucket of reality washed over me. A dull ache in my chest has me rubbing the spot with my fist.

The waves crashing against the shore and cold night breeze greet me as I open the door to the balcony. I unlock the little gate that leads to the fire exit before walking inside the room again to grab my duffel bags.

I don't dare to pass through the hallway. The automatic lights will give me away. I'm not sure I can handle any encounter in any form, especially if it's with Alec. I don't want to say something I will regret. I don't want him to stop me. What I want right now is distance and something familiar and convenient. I want Rosie.

Tripper wags his tail as my feet hit the ground. He barks at me. My hand flails in warning before I crouch down to put a leash on his neck. I lead him out of the beach. We round the house and walk to the empty roads. My head swings left and right to see if there's a paparazzi lurking anywhere. But it's so dark, the streetlights a good distance from one another.

We stop in front of a convenience store and sit on a booth. There are no people milling around aside from the employee on the cash register, who's already fast asleep. I pull out my phone and dial Rosie's number. My gut churns in fear that she won't answer. It's almost past midnight and she usually takes overtime on Tuesdays.

The familiar automatic response has me dialing her number again. Tripper has settled on my feet, his chin on top of my shoe. I spot two people walking toward the store. "Shit." I turn to face the other way while my phone is still on my ear, afraid to be recognized.

"Yo." Oh my God, he can't be calling me. I don't turn my head. The automatic response infiltrating my ears again. "I'm talking to you, darling."

I feel them take a seat on the other end of the booth. My head slowly turns to them. Horror grips my heart as I sit frozen on my current position. The man who called me is a white guy with brown hair, there's a cut on his lip and piercing all over his face. The other man with him is a black guy with a buzzed cut. They are huge and have tattoos all over their arms.

"Alone?" The white guy asks with a pensive grin. "You need a ride or something?"

I look between them, their expressions are playful but there's also a dangerous glint in their eyes. I begin to sweat, rearranging the duffel bags on my shoulder and tightening my hold on Tripper's leash. I nudge his head to wake him up, readying myself to break free from a run. "No... Do you guys need something?"

"Nah," the black man says. "We were just hanging out and saw you out here. Thought you needed some help."

I shake my head. "No need. Thank you. Please leave me alone."

"Now, now. There's no reason to be uptight." The white guy reaches out to touch my hand. I move them out of reach. My heart begins to thump wildly in my chest at his newfound courage.

"I said I don't need help," I snap, gritting my teeth.

They start to stand up. I do too, walking backward as they loom over me. The look in their eyes tells me they are having fun at my expense. Tripper growls lowly at them in warning, but they just laugh. "Oh, you have a dog. How adorable."

I clutch Tripper's leash firmly in case he runs toward them. I can only imagine them beating him up if he gets too close. It is clear that these men are street thugs and will not think twice to do it if the situation calls for it.

A siren suddenly breaks through the air, causing our heads to snap to its direction. I use their momentary distraction to make a mad dash to the roads, wanting to stop the police vehicle driving nearer toward us. The men start to run after me.

My breathing quickens.

The police car is still a little too far away.

I break into a full-blown sprint in the direction to where the police car is coming from. The duffel bag's weight slowing me down. "Help! Help!"

Holy shit. If I'd known this would happen, I would've stolen Alec's car instead. Stupid, stupid Rhys.

"Come on, woman! Don't be like that! We just want to help."

Help, my ass. They are getting closer to me. My vision blurs as I begin to tear up. No, not now. The police car rounds the other street and my heart leaps in my throat. They are driving in the opposite direction from where I am. Oh, my God.

"Help! Help!

But it's a lost cause. They are gone. My lungs give out on me. My feet stop, accepting my fate, my hands falling to my knees. My head lowering as my breathing becomes labored. Tripper stops too, his growl growing louder and louder. I look back at them, but they aren't there. They have stopped a few meters away and are now backing away to where they've come from.

A frown finds its way on my forehead but my breathing slows down in relief. "What the?"

Then my eyes fall to Tripper. It's then that I realize that he isn't growling in their direction. He's growling in front of us. I slowly lift my head to see what's causing him to get so worked up.

A surprised gasp leaves me.

A group of men is standing before us, and in front of them is no other than Cyprus.