Falling - Benny and Nina - An Adapted In The Heights Roleplay (COMPLETE)

53 - Falling Knowledge

She ended up in Castle Gardens, in front of the same tree beneath which she and Benny had shared their first kiss. She sat down there, soaking in the emotion that seemed to be hanging in the air.

As Benny slept, he thought about leaving his apartment. He thought about Abuela and how much that was going to affect his life. He had bad thoughts about Kevin and worrying thoughts on Camilla, friendly thoughts on Usnavi with romantic thoughts on Nina. He thought about everyone in his life and how they had each shaped him to be who he was today and how he was thankful to all of them.

Nina stayed in that spot until the sun was about to rise, but then headed back to her house. She had to make sure her mom was okay. Nina ran back to her house, then got in through the fire escape, walking quickly but quietly to her mom's room. She opened the old, creaky door as quietly as she could. What she saw shocked her to the bone.

Benny awoke early again but his warm body shivered and fell cold when he woke up without Nina beside him. He jumped out of bed faster than he ever had before and looked around the apartment for her. She was nowhere to be seen, he panicked, not knowing what to do. There was no note, not a single text or miss call on his phone from her. What he did see however was a text and 10 missed calls from Camilla 'Benny, I need you, I need Nina. I need help.' It had been sent at 10:38 last night. He must have only just gone to sleep.

He grabbed a shirt and pants, threw them on and ran out the door towards the Rosario's.

Nina saw her mother on the floor, kneeling over her father, who was sprawled out on the carpet. Every few moments, she seemed to be checking his pulse. Nina crept in and knelt next to her mother, asking, "What happened?"

Camilla stuttered, "He kept threatening me. Every time, he'd threaten something about killing someone I loved, and then fell back asleep. The last time- around five, he pulled a knife on me and said that if I didn't get in bed with him that he would cut me. So, I punched him and somehow, he got knocked out. I've been trying to get him awake. But nothing so far, obviously." Cami broke down and Nina caught her, letting her mother sob on her shoulder. Nina shook her father's shoulder, trying to get him to wake up while her mother cried on her shoulder. Nina put two fingers on the side of his neck, which was sweating cold beads of sweat. His heart was still beating. Camilla cried, "Why? Why would he do that?" Nina rubbed her back. Comfortingly, she said, "Mama, it's alright. He was probably drinking. It's alright."

As Benny ran he remembered that he never talked to Usnavi or his landlord. He had to do those today or else he may not be able to pay Nina's treatment fees after all. When he arrived at the Rosario's he was out of breath and knocked on the door, hoping that someone would answer.

Nina heard the knock on the door and asked her mother if she could go answer it. Cami nodded against Nina's shoulder and then sat up. Nina got up off the floor and ran to the door, answering for Benny. "Hey," she said, panicked.

"Oh My Gosh, Nina you're okay." He called when he saw her. He pulled her into a hug, and said, "I was so worried when you weren't next to me this morning, I had no idea where you were. I'm so glad you're safe, what time did you leave the apartment?"

"I'm sorry!" she exclaimed. "I left about an hour after you fell asleep. I couldn't."

"Have you been here all night then?"

"No, I actually just got here. I was in Castle Gardens all night. Also, get back here," she said grabbing onto Benny's hand. Nina ran to her parents' room, pulling Benny along with her.

As Benny ran along beside her, he assumed it was related to Camilla, thinking back to her text.

Nina kneeled back down next to her mother, checking her dad for a pulse again. Luckily, his heart was still beating, he was just unconscious. She placed her hand on his shoulder, just gripping it a bit harder than usual. After a few moments, she gave up, hugging her mom again. Camilla shook on her daughter's shoulder. Nina heard a grunt come from her father's direction.