HE RAN AWAY ☆ b.chan

01

The alley was dark, and a thick wave of fog covered the few houses around. The man took a few steps forward, holding onto his kitchen knife like his life depended on it. It probably did. He turned around, making his way to the shabby cabin in his neighbor’s backyard. The lights were on, piercing the clouds. He was drawn to it, like a mosquito to a lamp in the middle of the night. His hand on the doorknob, he swallowed a lump in his throat, closing his eyes to gather his strength. Don’t do it, Rie thought. But he couldn’t hear it. He had already pushed the door open, not imagining a second what could be waiting for him behind.
“

Why are horror movies characters so dumb?” She faked a yawn, pressing her cheek on her boyfriend’s shoulder.

A chuckle escaped his lips, but his eyes stayed glued on the screen. “It wouldn’t be entertaining if they were smart,” he whispered, rubbing her arm as if to tell her to be quiet.

Rie’s eyes went back to the movie, but she couldn’t stop herself from heaving another sigh when the main character ended up threatened by a man with a gun in the wood cabin. He should’ve seen it coming. What else could a lit cabin in the middle of the night have to offer? Nothing but a serial killer. She had agreed to watch his movie only because Chan had begged her to, but she would have rather slept. Midnight was approaching, and even though she didn’t have work the day after that, anything sounded better than this stupid movie.

“What would you do if you were in the same situation?” She couldn’t shut up. “Like, the whole threatened with a gun thing.”

Chan’s lips pursed as he spun his head around to look into her eyes. His irises were dark, reflecting the color of the screen. “What’s with that question?” But Rie maintained his gaze, wanting a response no matter what. “I guess I would try to take his gun away from him by any means possible. I’m not dying anytime soon.”

Thank God he wasn’t. Rie didn’t know much of Chan’s life, as he had always dodged any questions about his past. She had assumed it wasn’t all pink and fluffy, and since he didn’t want to talk about it, she didn’t insist. Nonetheless, there were still thousands of questions in her mind, and she hoped someday, he would answer them. They were a couple, had been for a year already. It was a serious relationship, not just some fling. Chan knew all about Rie. Her past, her well-kept secrets, her insecurities. She had offered her whole being to him, and she wished he would do the same. Sure, she knew enough about him to love him unconditionally. No matter what he would tell her, she would still love him more than anything in the world. Yet it seemed like he lacked trust to confide in her. It hurt, but she couldn’t force him. Maybe one day, he’d love her enough to tell her.

“Finally, this damn movie is over,” she mumbled as Chan let go of her to put the disk back in its packaging. “Let’s go to bed.”

She jumped on her feet, grabbing Chan’s sleeve to pull him towards the bedroom. He shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. Even in the dimness of the room, his face still glowed like he was the embodiment of the sun. Rie had never been as happy before she met him. He had brought joy in her life, starting from being a supportive friend to the man she loved. Their first meeting had nothing usual either. She had been working at a center for runaway kids for two years already when he applied to be a volunteer. He chose her to be his mentor, but their work relationship didn’t last very long. When she once caught him crying alone in the changing room, she discovered a side of him she had never imagined. It all started here. She started caring for him as more than a co-worker, and apparently, he did too. It went fast, but it felt natural.

Rie slipped under the blanket, which was way too warm for this hot month of June. But Chan was prone to cold fingers and feet, so it was some kind of sacrifice. In the name of love. Something like that. Her boyfriend joined her, and he slid to her side, sticking his arm to hers. She ran a hand through his hair. It tended to curl when he was sweating. He kept on complaining about it, and about how it made him look stupid, but she loved it. It was the Chan she loved. Curly hair, sweet dimples and tender hugs.

“I love you so much,” she whispered, the words coming out by themselves. Somehow, every night, she had that fear of waking up without him. Who knew if his past wouldn’t reach back and steal him away from her.

In response, he beamed like a puppy, rubbing his head against her chest to get into a more comfortable position. Her fingers dug into his skin, almost trying to morph their bodies together. At this point, it wouldn’t change much. They were already one. They wouldn’t go anywhere without the other. 

“You’re the most important thing in my life.”

Chan’s smile faded, as his eyes filled with melancholy.

“You know I love you too, right, Rie? No matter what, I’ll always love you.” He placed a peck on her forehead, then turned around, digging his head into his pillow. 

Of course, she knew. From the way he looked at her to the way he touched every inch of her body. His fingertips exuded so much passion, love and warmth. Each of his kisses were full of hunger, a thirst to be held and loved. Rie could only assume he had been deprived of parental love during his childhood, and that he had never been so close to anyone in his life. Maybe he had had girlfriends before. But she knew, deep inside, that he had never loved them as much as he loved her. It wasn’t conceited. Chan had often told her he had changed his life. No idea how it was before, but she believed him. She believed him no matter what.

Rie wiggled her toes, slowly gaining back control over her body. Except for her eyelids; there were shut tight, as if they had been glued. Her hand instinctively reached for Chan’s face so she could hold him closer, but the only thing she touched was cold, empty bedsheets. Her eyes still closed, she tried to find him, but he wasn’t in bed. No way he had woken up before her. He was always the last one to emerge from his deep slumber, whining for Rie to make him breakfast. Of course, she would always give in, more than content to see his excited grin. She finally forced her eyes open, adjusting to the light with great difficulty. Her feet sank into the carpet as she put all of her weight on her legs. Once again, she stood up too quick. Her head spun and her invasion was invaded by flicks of color. Chan better had a great excuse for not staying in bed to cuddle with her until ten. She left the room and looked around the apartment, but he was nowhere to be seen. Living room, check. Kitchen, check. Bathroom, check. There weren’t many more rooms to check.

“Where did that fucker go?” She grabbed her phone on the counter and dialed his number, praying in her head that he would pick up.

One, two, three rings. Chan had left his phone in the apartment. This was the biggest red flag. Never in his whole life would he have left without his life in a rectangular form. He brought it everywhere, even in the restroom. Had he gotten kidnapped or something? Whatever. She would worry about it later. For now, she was craving some breakfast. Even her neighbor could hear her stomach growling. She dragged her feet to the kitchen, but before she could grab a bottle of milk, she spotted something on the table. A note, clearly ripped from the diary he would often write in to let his feelings out.

“Had to leave for something important. Love you,” it read.

And with those simple words, she felt a wave of relief wash over her body.

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a bitch is nervous af and that bitch is me hello