Fire on Ice

Part 7

I walk out of the rink and realize that it has started drizzling. It's not too bad, so I keep walking to the bus station. As I am getting closer, it starts raining harder and I stop to get my jacket from my backpack. But when I get it out, I hear a strange noise behind me that makes me spin around a little too fast. My nerves start buzzing, especially since it's too dark for me to even be able to make out the pole that's a few feet behind me, let alone see if I am being followed by some psycho killer or not. I pause for a second and keep walking. I'm probably already late for the bus and the walk home is too much for my legs to handle right now.

The bus stop is deserted and there is a sign that says "Buses are no longer in service". I sigh because now I will have to start the 30 minute walk to my apartment in the dead of the night and in the rain. The strange noise happens again and I stop in my tracks. Is someone actually following me? I've had my fair share of weird encounters over the years, especially at night, but nothing has ever actually happened. My heart starts beating faster and I pick up my pace.

A few minutes later the sound happens again and I stop and turn around. Someone has got to be following me. After a few seconds a man appears from the darkness. He looks somewhere in his late 50s and has a large hoodie on with baggy sweatpants. His hair is greasy and his eyes are tired. He starts walking up to me and smiles with a grimy expression, "Aw, what's a pretty girl like you doing all alone at night?"

I back away a little and keep my voice strong, "Nothing that concerns you." I keep walking, increasing my speed a little every minute. He calls after me, "Hey! Wait!"

I don't want to start running, especially in the rain, because he'll start chasing after me. I reach an intersection and to my amazing luck the walking signal is red. He catches up to me and tries to grab my arm. I kick his leg in hopes of kicking him off balance, but it doesn't work.

"Hey hey, just calm down. I just want a little money. Pretty girl like you must have some right?" He snarls.

I struggle some more and try to get him off me before I hear a deep voice, "Get off her now."

Both of our heads snap to the sound and I'm surprised to see Nikolas standing there looking furious. I was so distracted I didn't even hear him.

"What are you? Her little boyfriend?"

"What I am doesn't concern you. Get your hands off of her in the two seconds or you're not walking away with them." At this point Nikolas is towering over the man, the rain making his shirt practically useless and his muscles very evident.

The guy seems to know what's best for him because he backs away and mumbles, "Whatever. Didn't even care about the ugly bitch anyway."

Unfortunately Nikolas hears him and starts going after him. I put a hand on his arm and say, "Leave it. Let's just go."

He turns to me and says, "Did you hear what he said?"

"Yeah, I did. But it doesn't matter now." He looks at me for a second with his signature scowl and agrees. I take my hand off his arm and start walking home.

He calls after me, "Where are you going?"

Without turning around I say, "Home."

He catches up to me and says, "Are you crazy? I'll drive you home."

"I don't need you to take me home." I start walking faster to try and lose him, but he manages to keep up.

"What are you talking about? It's drizzling and you almost got harassed. God knows what would've happened if I hadn't shown up."

"Please, I would've been fine even if you hadn't shown up."

"We both know that's not true. Just get in the car Nora."

"No."

He grabs my arm and I flinch a little. He immediately lets go and looks at me. His voice softens just a bit, "Nora, just let me drive you home. It's not safe."

Realizing that arguing with him is futile I concede.

"Fine."

We walk back to his car and get in. I scoff at the interior. Black leather with red detailing coats the seats and there is a glossy wood dashboard. It smells just like him: oaky with a slight hint of mint. What surprises me the most is how clean it is. Everything is organized and there isn't any trash to be found. I sink back into the seat and he asks, "Where am I going?"

I give him my address and question, "How did you know where I was?"

"I was tailing you for a good mile and you didn't notice. Yet another reason why I needed to intervene."

"You were tailing me? Why?"

"But shit like that tends to happen", referring to the guy. His response takes me aback.

"Why did you care? You've made it clear you don't care about my feelings."

He rolls his eyes, "Just because I don't want to be your partner doesn't mean I want you to die."

I stay quiet for a moment because I don't know what to say. After a few seconds I whisper, "Thank you."

He glances at me surprised and asks, "What was that?"

Leave it to him to ruin a good moment. "You heard me. I'm not saying it again."

He chuckles and it's a smooth, rich sound that flows through my ears. I glance out the window and we are quiet for the next few minutes.

Suddenly he asks, "Why is Coach so desperate to have us as partners?"

I pause before saying, "He seems to think we'd be a good fit."

He rolls his eyes, "Don't evade the question you know I'm asking. Why does he say you need this so badly?"

I don't want to tell him about my mom because I don't want his pity. So instead I say, "I don't know."

I can tell he is glaring at me in my periphery. He realizes I'm not going to answer so he says, "I'm not partnering with someone who hasn't competed or properly trained in two years." I get what he's doing; he's trying to rile me up so I spill the reason.

"Good for you. I hope competing on the solo roster works out great for you."

He clenches his jaw and stays silent.

We arrive at my apartment building and before I get out I mumble a thank you, which he doesn't respond to. I slam the door and he speeds away.