Mantis

15. Under the cover of night

Five minutes before twenty-two, Alex dropped me off at my apartment. We were on a completely ordinary date, and it was... nice. At first, I felt a bit strange not having to be constantly alert and ready to pull a knife from my boot at any moment, but once I got used to it, it was quite pleasant. A bit like with Filip before he came up with that stupid love.

Alex turned off the car engine, so I pecked the air next to his cheek in farewell, and then, on some impulse, I briefly touched his lips with mine. I didn't even know why I did it. The kiss was mechanical, and Alex was so surprised by it that he froze and only responded after a few seconds.

I pulled my face away from his and felt very strange. Suddenly, I wanted to turn back time and be as far away from him as possible, even though I had no idea why.

Shaken by this unexpected turn of events, I let him escort me to the door of the building where my student apartment was located, trying to act as if nothing had happened. When we were practically at the door, a figure who had been leaning against the wall by the intercom smoking a cigarette suddenly stirred, then moved towards us. Alex stopped me, throwing me a worried glance, because the young man approaching us had a heavily bruised face, but I already recognized him. I slipped out from under Alex's protective wing and ran up to the battered man.

- Victor? - I called out, looking at him with horror. - What are you doing here? What happened to you?

He looked like a picture of misery and despair. In addition to the bruises from last night, he now had a split eyebrow, a swollen and bloody nose, and a split lip. His clothes were slightly torn too.

- Do you tend to injuries like these as well? - he asked, forcing a smile at me through the pain.

- My God... - Without hesitation, I took his battered face in my hands and began to examine it. - What happened? Did someone attack you?

- It's nothing - he muttered, though I could see him grimacing in pain.

- What do you mean 'it's nothing'? Have you looked in the mirror? You need to get those injuries treated. I'll take you upstairs.

- Paulina? - I heard Alex's voice behind me, and suddenly I realized that I had just come back from a date with him, and now I had been ignoring him for a good few minutes. I looked at him. He was looking at me, then at Victor, and he seemed completely baffled by what was happening around him.

- Oh God, I'm sorry, Alex... - I started, trying to somehow make sense of this whole mess.

- Actually, I should be apologizing - Vic interjected, stepping up to Alex with his hand extended. - Victor. Paula and I are friends.

- Alexander - Alex shook his extended hand, still not entirely present, and looked at Victor's bruised face.

- I'm sorry, Paula - Victor said as I continued to examine his face. - You were the first person who came to mind because...

- Maybe I should go - Alex interjected timidly. - Or can I help with something? - I looked at him.

- I'm really sorry, Alex - I said, trying not to show that I thought it was a very good idea. I couldn't focus on both of them, and Alexander was more of a hindrance than a help in this situation. - Thank you for the lovely evening. I had a great time. - I pecked him on the cheek and hugged him goodbye.

- I'll call you later - he muttered, embracing me like never before, then hesitantly looked into my eyes as if he wanted to say something more, but ultimately no sound came from his lips.

- Okay - I mechanically replied, sending him a grateful smile, then turned my back to him and started dragging Victor towards the elevator. I entered the dimly lit apartment first and turned on the light. Victor stayed behind and entered, or rather stumbled, right behind me. It couldn't be called an entrance because as he crossed the unusually high - by standard standards - threshold, he stubbed his foot on it and would have landed on the floor if he hadn't braced himself against the wall in time. Unfortunately, in his attempt to avoid falling, he knocked his elbow against the umbrella stand, which collapsed to the floor, resulting in more noise than if Victor himself had fallen.