Of Stalking and Tomatoes

Chapter 10

The steady tapping of raindrops on the car, and the way the wind whipped the water to the side would have been soothing if this was a normal day. Nyx loved the rain. He loved the sounds the droplets make against the concrete. The way it rolled down windows and dropped on leaves. But right now, here in the rain, stuck in a traffic jam, with too many questions in his head, Nyx wished that nature had a mute button.

Rodney's cryptic words echoed in his head.

"You really have good instincts."

Instincts. He always followed his instincts. Jul had warned him about that. Told him that he should think before he leaps. But he never listened. He kept going wherever his feet took him and it always, most certainly got him into more trouble than he expected.

He pounded his fist onto the wheel and sighed. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he shouldn't have left. That he should've stayed with Ren. He could've made an excuse. Anything to stay there. He sighed.

The cars in front started turning back. Nyx watched them pass his car by until he noticed a traffic enforcer walking around, hands cupped around his mouth as he yelled.

It seemed that the road was blocked. A truck crashed into a pole and took all four lanes. It's going to take some time to get a tow truck so the other cars decided to turn around. It made sense to him.

He turned the wheel, getting ready to turn around and go the long route back, when the engine died. Nyx turned the key and he heard the low rumbling then a click. It didn't start. He tried several times but the engine just wouldn't start. He slumped on his chair and just shook his head.

"Are you kidding me?" he asked to no one in particular, "Right here? Now? In this rain? Really?"

Lightning lit up the sky as the thunder rolled in the distance. He took a deep breath to calm himself so he could organize his thoughts. So his engine's dead, the rain is starting to pick up, and he has no umbrella. He didn't use them that often so he never cared enough to carry one or put one in his car. He was regretting that now.

Now, his options. He can probably make it home on foot but even if he can, the truck on the road would probably still block him out. The enforcers usually close the road for cars and pedestrians alike as a safety measure. He could take the long route around but it was going to be a very long walk and if the rain gets worse, he'd be a wet rag before he even reaches his front door.

His other option was more tempting. Going back to Ren's place. He hasn't gotten that far because of the rain and heavy traffic. He could make it there in a few minutes and as long as the rain doesn't get worse, he'd probably stay dry. Most of him. Hopefully his underwear.

"Option two it is."

Nyx pulled out his phone and called for a tow truck. He also sent a message to Fonsi about the car, just in case. He grabbed his keys from the ignition, grabbed his bag, and opened the door. The cold wind and the large rain droplets greeted him. He locked his car and ran to sidewalk. He ran back to the direction he drove from and as he did, the rain started growing heavier. He kept pushing onward feeling his shirt cling to his skin and his hair sticking to his face.

Why did he do this? Why was he running in the middle of the rain? Why couldn't he just stayed in the car and waited? Well, he already knew the answer to that. Because he felt that he should. A voice was telling him to go back. That he should run. That no matter what happens, he should go back. Go back to Ren.

Puddles splashed as he stomped through them. He slipped on the asphalt as he barely caught himself from falling. But he kept running, going faster by the minute.