Remembering Raimondo (Complete)

The Homeless Man

The ride back was silent and much longer than the ride there. The difference is that, this time, I memorized the route he took just in case I needed to go back there again. Austin kept looking in my direction every few seconds. Normally, I would acknowledge a person's gaze and return the token but now my eyes were glued to the road ahead of us. There were only three things on my mind. Getting away from Jeff, talking to Eddie, and taking Raimondo somewhere out of Jeff's reach.

 The first and most important, making sure Jeff doesn't find me.

 When we reached Chene I finally turned to look at Austin. "Don't get too close to the shop, or my apartment."

 He stopped the car. "Here, keep my number just in case. I need to know where Jeff is at all times." I wrote my number on the clipboard.

 He nodded. "What are you going to do now?"

 "Find a place to sleep." I reached for the door handle.

 "Hey, if you need a pla-"

 "No!" I interrupted. "I mean, it's not safe. I will find a place."

 I climbed out of the truck. "Look." I began before closing the door. "Thanks." I gave him a weak smile before slamming the door shut.

 I stuffed my hands in my hoodie. I smelled like puke. But at this moment, I didnt't really care for hygene. I needed to find a way to enter the apartment without Jeff spotting me.

 "How are we gonna do this Audrie?" I whispered pulling out my phone.

 He picked up on the first ring. "Meriç? I need your help."

 Meriç arrived at the phone booth where I was crunched on the floor. He did as I told him and dressed in a disguise, it took me a while to notice.

 "Yoo, looking good Meriç. Why don't you dress this way for school?"

 He wore a black button up shirt with dark jeans, dress shoes, shades, and his hair was slicked back. He looked good. Smirking, he brushed his shoulders off.

 "That's what I'm talkin' about." He joked before quickly straightening his expression. "So it's this serious huh?"

 I nod.

 Sighing, he helps me up. "Alright this is what I need you to do."

 I wiped the back of my pants down, the floor of the phonebooth was filthy!

 "First I need you to scope the outside of the building, but becareful not to look suspicious. Once you enter, you'll have to sign a sheet. I want you to sign in as if you're heading towards the second floor. 232, okay."

 He nods.

 "You will only take the elevator to the second floor. Once you're on the second floor, take the stairs to the third."

 I gave him my key. "Here, check my place out as well."

 He gave me a weary look. "What if he's in there?"

 I thought for a second. "If he's in there, act casual as if you know me better than anyone. Ask him who is he? And what is he doing in my apartment."

 He hesitantly nods. "Okay."

 "Remember be confident, as if you run the place.... no ... as if you were my boyfriend. But dont tell him that you're my boyfriend because knowing Jeff's possesiveness, that could cause a problem."

 "Gotcha. Not your boyfriend... hey are you going to prom?"

 "Meriç!"

 "Right, sorry," his face turned red but he smirked at my reaction nonetheless.

 I gave him the rest of the directions before he made his way into the building. Silently praying for everything to go right, I spotted dark shadows out of the corner of my eyes inside an alley in front of the building. The same Alley that I bumped into the homeless man in. I squinted to try to make out what it was, but because it was slowly getting darker out I couldn't make out the form if my life depended on it. Letting curiosity get the best of me, I inched closer towards the building and out of my hide out.

 Squinting once more, I recognized the frame. It was the homeless man and he had something glinting in his hand.

 "What is that?" I wondered allowed.

 I didn't realize what it was until someone quickly went out of the building. Jeff. He had a phone in his hand. The homeless man must have spotted me and called Jeff. They made eye contact. The homeless man motioned his head towards my direction. It didn't take another second for me to get the que. I backed up and out of their view running down the block and turning the nearest corner and into the alley of the apartment building.

 My phone began to vibrate. It must have been Meriç warning me. But I didn't stop to reply or slow down for a split second. I turned my head to make sure Jeff didn't follow. I ran through the alley until I reached my limit. Dead end.

 "Motherlover." I swore under my breath.

 Quickly, I examined my surroundings for someplace to hide. I frantically tried the rusty doors to the building, but they would not budge.

 I only had one option. "Sorry Meriç." I whispered before dunking into a metal garbage bin and sliding towards the side that still had the lid. I removed three garbage bags from the far corner, took their place and covered myself with them.

 Pulling the sleeves of Meriç's shirt over my fingers, I used my hands to cover my mouth and nose from the smell. I don't think I've ever been put in a more disgusting situation.

 Moments passed before I heard foot steps make their way into the Alley. Running steps.

 Suddenly my phone began to vibrate.

 Shit. I shoved the phone in between my thighs muffling the sound.

 I held my breath.

 Please... please ...

 I'm pretty sure that there was probably a better worded prayer, but 'please' was all I could think of.

 The silent steps began to slow down as the owner came closer and closer towards my hide out.

 He stopped.

 Please... I held my hand tighter against my face, but this time it was not because of the smell.

 Without warning, a bang made the bin vibrate. My eyes almost flew out of their sockets.

 Please..

 Another kick.

 There was movement over the bin. The lid?

 I froze, holding my breath and waiting for the worst.