Lone Runner (On HOLD)

Chapter 6

Robbie takes me to my favorite restaurant to eat and talk. I order my favorite sandwich and Robbie gets pasta with salad. As we wait for the food to arrive Robbie finally asks, “Linda, what exactly has happened in the last few days that you don’t even want to go home?”

“Robbie…” I took a deep breath and then continued, ”Lydia was led to kill herself cause of Victor.”

“WHAT?!” Robbie was being so loud, everyone at the restaurant was looking at us now.

I know that Robbie always had a bad vibe about Victor, ever since we were in 8th grade. There was a day that Robbie and I were working on our Science Fair together at my house, that was also the first time Victor was being introduced to Robbie, and Victor made fun of Robbie in every way he could. He said that he was probably a gang member, that he looked like a “no good son of a bitch” and that if he were seen near me in a boyfriend-girlfriend way he was going to make him wish he never met me. After that day Robbie and I just went to his house to do everything… even messing around when his mom would leave us home alone.

I was about to go into a whole other day dream when Robbie says, “Linda, how the hell is Victor the cause of Lydia’s Suicide?”

It was hard to talk about everything but instead I sucked it up and shoved my plate to the side and began explaining, “First of all Lydia left me this note.” I pull out the note and place it in front of him. As he reads I continue, “And I talked to her best friend, Gabi, and she told me that she was being watched and then she handed me THIS Note.” I pull out the the other note and hand it to him. He read it and his eyes widened and waited for me to continue explaining, as if he knew that I saved the worst for last. “After last nights shootings, I was waiting to hear about Gabe but a nurse came out and told me that Gabe’s dad had requested to come and get me, when I talked to him he told me that Lydia and Gabi were always with Victor after school, especially in his office. But the last thing is that the guy I shot was in the room next door, I went to go see him and he looked familiar, I was reading his hand name tag and then placing it back down when he grips my hand and tells me that I’m next.” I took a big deep breath and started to cry, I couldn’t stay calm knowing that bad things were going to continue happening if I couldn’t prove Victor of anything.

Robbie got up, went to pay the check and came back to get me… he walked me to his car. We sat in the back because we weren’t going to leave just yet, we were going to talk and make a plan. Robbie holds me tight until I stop crying and then asks, “Did you say Gabi is also in danger?”

I nod and then lay my head on his chest.

“Well we need to find Gabi soon and keep her safe. Just because Lydia is gone, it doesn’t mean Victor still isn’t using Gabi,” Robbie was mad and it was noticeable in his voice.

“I know Robbie, I know. But we need a plan. Victor already knows that I am on to him, but what he doesn't know is that I have you and anyone else who cares to help.” I sat up and looked at Robbie, realizing I should stop fantasizing about me and him being back together when I have a freaking boyfriend that’s in the hospital.

Robbie had a thinking face, he looked more confused though, but then he finally came up with something. He took out his phone and started typing in a text to Gabi, it said:

Gabi! It’s me Rob, wanna help me on my hw??? I dnt understand and ur like super smart :) Please let me know asap. Thnks. :) !

“Where are you really gonna take her?” I asked as he sent the text.

He smiled, “Well I figured we can’t go back home, so we’re gonna have to stay in a Hotel. The Westin Hotel is 4 miles from here, right now we can drive up there and ask for a room to stay in, once i get Gabi’s response I’ll leave you in the hotel alone and I’ll go pick Gabi up.” Robbie was getting a bit too excited now, “You’ve been to my house and you know that we have a secret exit underground! It’ll be useful if Victor or his dumb ass goons follow us. Well, I’ll take her to my place and we’ll switch to my blue Italian sportscar and take the underground exit.”

I couldn’t believe he had the capability to come up with such an amazing plan in like 10 minutes, “Robbie, that’s GREAT! Let’s go, we can’t really waste any time right now.”

When we got to the hotel I thought it would be a good Idea to call Gabe, i was thinking too much about Robbie and I needed to stop that. Robbie sits next to me as I dial, three rings and then Mr. Ramirez answers, “Hello?”

“Hi Mr. Ramirez, it’s Rosalinda, may I speak to Gabe please?” I sounded a bit desperate.

He called out Gabe’s name, “Sure Linda, how have you been? Did you go home?”

I sighed and Robbie put his arm around me, “No I’m staying at a hotel, I’m with Robbie, we’re trying to get the other girl, Gabi, I just wanted to talk to Gabe because I know he likes to know where I am… he care’s so much about me and I don’t want him to worry about where I am or if I’m in trouble.”

“Very well Linda, I hope you catch that Bastard before he screws up any other girls life, or even your little brother. Be Careful… oh, here comes Gabe, bye sweety,” He was like a dad to me, well a better dad.

I hear a groan on the other side and I ask shyly, “Babe are you okay?”

“Yeah baby, my arms just a bit sore… I’ve missed you even though it’s been like a day. I wish I was awake when you came to visit me. They released us just an hour ago and they arrested the shooter.” He sounded relieved.

i was smiling on the other end but he couldn’t see, “That’s good… I’ve missed you more, I was worried about you and I blame myself for it happening.”

“No baby please don’t it wasn’t, nothing will ever be your fault. But now that I do know who was behind it, I want to catch that bastard. Victor had no right to come near my house, I want in on whatever your planning,” his voice was getting louder and louder.

I took a deep breath and Robbie held me tighter, “No babe --”

“Stop,” he interrupted, “I’m not going to leave you at your toughest point, what’s the plan?”

“Hold on,” I placed my hand on the bottom of the phone so he wouldn’t hear me.

Robbie looked at me puzzled, “What?”

"He wants to tag along, is that fine?” I ask curiously.

He seemed a bit offended, “I don’t mind at all, listen Linda, I don’t care that you two are dating… he can come if he wants, he’s your boyfriend and my best bud.”

I was kinda shocked but I just nodded and said, “Okay.”

I picked up the phone again, “Babe get ready, Robbie’s gonna pick you up… we’ll fill you in when you get to the hotel we’re staying in. He’s also gonna pick up Gabi. I have no phone and I know you fix broken ones, can I get one please?”

“Okay Linda, I got you… see you in a few. I love you,” he was up to get things done no matter how hurt he was.

I giggled and blushed, “I love you too babe.”

Once the call was over Robbie got up looking down at his phone, then he looked at me, “She said yes… it’s time to get down to business.”

I was ready to get everything sorted out, I didn’t want a bastard to get away with shit he was doing just because a girl was dead, “Stay safe, try to make it in 2 hours… be careful.”

And he was out the door.