Twenty-four: first dance in the rain
Temperance
I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling. I woke up hours ago but haven't had the strength to move. Alec explained to me that when the police find me I'm going to have to go back.
Of course, I won't have to go back to my own home, I would be leaving for my Aunt and Uncles.
That is exactly the thing that causes me to be nervous. I haven't seen their family in years. The only place I know is my own home and then Alec's home. Going to this new place fills me with uncertainty. But alas, there's only a matter of time before they house me somewhere else.
I have all of my friends here. Alec's people are my friends, and I would be leaving them. Not only them but Nicole and Ryan as well. I've been distant from them since I met Alec but that doesn't mean that I want to completely leave their side.
There's this feeling inside of me that causes me to be sick with anxiety. I can't help but feel like something bad is going to happen. Something bad always happens. This time, It's causing my stomach to ache with uncertainty.
Something is going to happen and it's bigger than me. I don't think I can stop it even if I tried.
I hear a soft knock at the door. I stay silent and close my eyes.
When sad, play dead.
"Temperance, are you ok?" Ella asks. Ella and I have been the only ones home. Alec had to leave an hour ago or so with the guys for an emergency they didn't tell me about.
When I don't respond, Ella opens the door and peeks her head in.
"Do you need anything?" She looks at me with a sympathetic look tugging at her face.
I want to cry. I feel so sick that I could throw up.
Maybe my bad feeling is about leaving. But it seems worse than that, almost like I'm mourning something.
"I-I'm j-just tired Ella..." I've gone back to stuttering. The old habit annoys me once again.
"Do you need any water?" She asks me.
I shake my head no, watching her give me a smile before leaving the room.
I stand up and walk along the cold wood floor into the bathroom.
I peel my clothes off me. I still avoid looking at my disgusting naked body. I turn on the bathwater and get in, letting the hot water fill up around me.
I lay my head back and close my eyes as the water slowly inches up my body.
I splash some water on my face to get the tears out of my eyes
My throat has a lump in it, and my eyes sting.
I want to go to the warehouse.
I want to see Emaline.
**************************************
Alec
I've been at the warehouse for an hour. The guys all trying to fix it up. Freddie and his group reside in our infirmary. There was a break-in last night causing every one of them to get severely injured. Half of our drugs and weapons were stolen too. Big Dilemma.
I told Temperance about the police a few hours ago. After I did she didn't talk. She just laid down there. I didn't know what she was thinking. And I am not too fond of not being able to read her.
"Boss!" Bee yells for me. I walk over to her. She is standing in front of the heavy door. "What is it?" I ask her.
"Temperance is here."
My eyes go wide. She ISNT supposed to be here. She is supposed to be at the house where she is safe.
There are several people from my gang who are here of course. So she'd be safe from outside forces. But some of the people here are cruel and vulgar. I don't trust them around her.
"Let her in." I can't leave her out there, especially when her father and police are searching for her.
She steps inside. She is wearing black sweatpants and a black t-shirt that stops at her belly button. Only an inch of her skin is showing. At least she tried to look the part with the limited information about the dresscode.
"What are you doing here?!" I ask, pulling her to the side.
"I-I just w-wanted to see E-Emaline." She glances away as she stutters. If she is anyone else, I would've broken her hand for disobeying me and doing something that could put her in danger.
*****************************************
Temperance
I scan the crowd, spotting Emaline as she hands boxes to some guys.
"Ok guys. Ima take a break." She says once she notices me, waving them off.
She walks towards me and leads me outside where the clouds build over us.
It doesn't take me long to realize we are in what seems like a scrapyard. I only wonder why they would need a scrapyard. Maybe a cover-up for the illegal activities.
"So why are you here?" She asks me. I glance at her outfit. She wears black jeans and a black form-fit shirt. Everyone inside was wearing clothes like this. I guess they do have to abide by the rules.
"I w-was just bored." I shrug. I look at the sky. I see lightning strike within the dark clouds. I can tell that rain is about to pour down on us.
"How did you get here?"
"Walked."
"You're a risky one aren't you?" She laughs and nudges me with her shoulder playfully.
"I g-guess so." I smile, feeling a few rain droplets fall on me.
"I love when it rains." She holds her hand out, letting sprinkles fall into the palm of her hand.
"Really? I-I do too!" I say excitedly, copying her movements.
Most people I've met don't like the rain because it isn't pretty. Some don't like the rain only for the fact that it ruins the plans they had for the day. Why cant they make new plans in case the weather changes?
It sprinkles all over our shoulders and head. We laugh it off and dance in the sprinkles. She grabs my hand and spins me around before breaking off on our own again.
I've always loved the feeling of rain.
I'd always try to get Nicole or Ryan into the rain with me but they'd always say it was nasty.
This is the first time I've danced in the rain since my mom died.
She suddenly stops. Making me stop. I look around until I spot it—the reason why she stopped.
Tj.
He is staring at her with great intensity. The air seems thick now. Rage is radiating off of him.
I can tell Emaline is petrified. I am, too, for her. He's done so much to her.
We stand still, scared that any movements might set him off.
I glance down, getting hit hard with so much grief as I see what he is gripping tightly in his right hand.
A bulky black gun. His finger is planted on the trigger.
Before either of us can react, he already has his gun up.
Then within a second, an ear-piercing sound rings throughout the scrap yard.