Red Lilies

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I did not expect my day to end like this...

First, I go with Chad to train, exercise and blow off all the steam I could on a full body workout that had me boneless and outside way past my curfew.

Then I am escorted by the very man who helped escape from the intense questioning... on piggyback.

- "ugh..." - I complained, my muscles screamed by just taking a full breath of air. - "How do you do this almost every day?" - I continued with my tirade of whines and painful moans. - "Maybe I will be as strong as you are if I go with you to each session.... if I survive this one." -

But he wasn't answering, just hums here and a nod there. That was no answer!

- "Hey... is everything ok? I know I can be annoying sometimes. I was just trying to make conversation. With you carrying me back home like some -" -

- "Stop." -

- "But-" -

- "Stop talking down on yourself like that." - he continued.

After a few breaths of silence, he finally spoke again. - "Something is on your mind. Not always. But I can see, some days you are happy and present." -

I could not answer to that, he was getting somewhere. If I stop him, that would be me pushing him away. I did not want to push him away.

- "Other days, you are just lost." -

Lost.

How I related to that one word so much. Lost all the time. Where to go? Who to talk to? How fast should I run?

- "hmmhm" - I could only hum in response, as if saying any word would make it too real to bear.

- "Why?" - the question was as low as my resolve to answer it. I could speak or just stay silent, because he was smart.

He could tell when I lied.

Every time.

Now I just don't even bother.

- "I wish I knew." - I admitted out loud. - "I just... I don't know." -

I wish there was someone I could ask.

- "It's late. I thought tiring you out would help you talk without being so tense all the time." - ouch, I didn't think I looked that bad. I couldn't help but flinch at his words.

Truth can hurt. But it's necessary.

- "Sorry." -

- "Don't. I just- I'm not good at this." - my hand waved absently. Everything still hurts. - "I am not talking about the exercise, but I was not ready for the intensity." - I laughed. - "But having someone to talk to... that is new for me." -

- "I'm a good listener." - he countered.

- "Yes, you sure are!" - I giggled on his shoulder. - "You listen to me all the time complaining about everything and anything. I am a little embarrassed." -

After a few beats of silence, I continued. - "Thank you. I will work on that question." -

But before we could continue, I felt something. Something bad. A strange intensity in the air that made my skin crawl with goosebumps.

At the same time, Chad stopped dead on his tracks. His muscles tensed under my weight and now I was more nervous.

Did he also feel that?

- "You're shivering." -

- "Oh! Yes, it's a little cold." - he was still not moving. - "Chad?" - I whispered closer, afraid of the tension I could not explain. - "Are you ok?" -