Finale Breath

Old Memories

He was behind me. I paused in the center of the room. Rat. The name I had forced myself to forget. It never faded from my mind. My back prickled at the knowledge that he was here. Standing right behind me. Not moving, not talking. Waiting and watching that was my Rat. I breathed out as slowly as I could, forcing my frozen body to move to the stand and place the ice bucket down. I ran my finger along the edge of the golden plate the bucket sat on. What could I say?
“I asked you not to change.” His voice was so soft. A breath of wind in the still room. I looked up into the mirror. I was startled that he stood right behind me now. I hadn’t heard him move. The reflection of our eyes met. His lips curved slightly into a small smile.
“The Shion I knew would be asking me a million questions right now.” He added. He took a step closer. I flinched a way, turning to face him. I waited.
“I learned a few things from your departure.” I said, watching him. My heart pounded. I had to curl my fingers into a fist. I longed to just touch him, make sure he was real. He paused keeping the space between us I had put there.
“Shion, I…” He paused. Reaching up he pulled the tie from his hair. It spilled long over his shoulders. He ran his thin fingers through it. Swiftly he reapplied the tie. He stepped back from me to lean against the dresser behind him. He didn’t look at me directly, but now the front part of his hair hung over his eyes. It hadn’t before. I knew he was watching me.
“I wanted to give you time. Time with your mother. I planned to come back.” He paused again. I waited. “I did. A few months after I left. I came back to Number Six.” He rubbed his hands over his arms as if he was suddenly cold.
“I heard about how you joined the government. How you became the very thing we…” he shook his head. “.. no, I hated so.” He looked away. I saw the tear slip from the corner of his eye.
I couldn’t stop myself. My fingers touched the skin along his neck, brushing the hair away. He jerked turning to see me standing close to him. He gasped as his eyes caught mine. They were wide. A wild animal caught in the head lights or a trap. He was scared. I had never seen fear on him before. No. I knew that wasn’t right. I had seen it. I just hadn’t realized that was what it was. He hid it so well.
Reaching my other hand up I pulled his head around to face me. It had been so long. I couldn’t wait another second. My lips brushed his gently. I meant it to be just a touch. I didn’t think he would want this. Yet his hand caught at me, one curling into the front of my shirt. The other snagging in my freaky grey hair. His mouth pressed harder onto mine. I pushed into him. I was afraid for this to end. Afraid he would just walk away again.
I drank him in as my mouth moved over his. He spun us around, always graceful, Rat was. I felt the wall press into my back. I pulled him to me. I couldn’t breathe. I just wanted him to stay. I must have breathed out the word. He pulled slightly back.
“There is nowhere I have to be.” Another small smile, then his mouth was back on mine. That was until a pounding started on my door. I tried to ignore it. I felt Rat jerk under my hands. I tried to hold on to him, but he pulled back when my name was called out along with the rapid knocking. I sighed as Rat’s warmth left me. He moved to the dresser once more, fixing his shirt. I did the same as I went to the door.
“Yes?” I said as I opened it. Two guys thrust the door inward. I felt one punch me in the head.
“Get his…” the other shouted but they hadn’t expected me to have someone in my room. Rat moved as fast as a cat. He was between them and me before I even finished staggering back. The second guy tried to stop him. Rat slammed his head into the wall. The guy slumped to the ground, unmoving. He was already turning to the other.
A flash of sliver appeared in the thug’s hand. “No!” I cried. Yet Rat had seen it too. He broke his wrist making him drop the weapon. Rat pounded his face until blood spurted from his nose. The guy slumped under the assault. I caught Rat’s arm as he drew it back.
“Stop, he won’t be fighting back any longer.” I said. The man was already unconscious.
“Are you alright?’ Rat asked touching the pulsing side of my face. I gave him a mocking smile.
“Just fine.” His hand brushed along my face.
“Shion…” concern dripped from the word.
“Hands in the air!” I pulled Rat behind me. It was my turn to protect him.
“He didn’t attack me. They did.” I pointed to the two men on the ground. The guard looked from Rat to the men. “I would appreciate it if you would stop holding that gun pointed at my friend.” I narrowed my eyes as I watched the security guard. He looked startled. Lowering the gun, he watched Rat warily.
“Are you alright, ambassador?” He asked.
“Just fine.” I repeated. “Although I would like to rest. Can you clean this up quickly?” I asked. The man called in for more people to help him over the radio on his shoulder.
“I will be in the lounge. I said. I tugged Rat’s sleeve as I moved toward the door. The guard placed a hand on Rat’s chest.
“He has to…” The guard began.
“He is coming with me.” There was no smile, no making nice now. They wouldn’t separate me from Rat again. I pulled Rat’s sleeve forcing him to come out into the hall with me.
“Clean this up.” I ordered. The ding announced the arrival of the elevator. The ambassador from Number Three stepped out. He looked surprised to see me in the hall. I watched him.
“What?” he shook himself. “Shion are you alright…” his voice trailed away.
“Just fine.” I said again. I moved around him to the elevator. “So glad that you could come check on me yourself, sir.” I added with a smile. Something jerked in his face. Just a quick tick, then he was smiling back at me.
“Anything for such a prominent guest.” He stated. “Go have a few drinks. We will get your room cleared right away.” I gave him a nod as the door slid closed. I leaned back against the wall shaking my head.
“Shion…” Rat moved to stand before me.
“Saving my life again. I guess nothing changes when you’re around.” I gave him a weak smile.
“Still clueless I see.” He muttered. He slapped my arm. “You just saved my life, idiot.” He added with a smile. I looked up at him wide eyed. He was laughing hysterically as the doors opened.
“Do I need to get the water?” I asked. He stopped laughing eyeing me warily.
“No!” He muttered. I chuckled.
“Well I can’t stay here.” I said looking back to the elevator as I moved across the foyer.
“Why not?” Rat asked.
“Now who’s clueless?” I asked as we walked up to the doors. I had no car. No idea where to go. Rat pushed me into an alcove near the door.
“What’s going on, Shion?” he demanded. I sighed.
“The ambassador of number three is trying to kill me.” I stated simply. He frowned.
“He wants to marry you off to Pella.” Rat stated.
“A control tactic. You know nothing about politics, Rat.” I said watching the grey eyes glaze over with worry.
“You need a place to stay.” He caught my arm. I realized it wasn’t a question. He pulled me out of the alcove. Dragging me away from the front doors he pulled me back through the foyer. There was a hall I hadn’t noticed before. He pulled me into it. We walked down this to another door. This led to a back parking lot. I realized it was the staff parking.
Rat pulled me through the rows of cars. He took something from his pocket. Pressing a button, I heard a soft beep beep. Rat pulled open the passenger side door of a small silver car.
“Get in.” I did so without comment. He rushed to the driver’s side, slipping in beside me. “Seatbelt.” He demanded as he started the car. I put it on. He pulled out of the parking spot. He didn’t say anything as she sped around three quick turns. Slowing down only after he slipped around a fourth. The traffic picked up here, even this late at night. He eased into it, watching the mirrors. We drove along for a while. His eyes darting around the three mirrors. He changed lanes quickly and without signaling. The silence in the car was intense. I watched his strong hands spin the wheel as we veered around a corner. He took another one swiftly. The last one he drove under a building. Parking the car, he ordered me out.
Rat caught my arm as he moved through the parking lot. He pulled open a door that lead to a set of stairs. He held it until I went in before him. We headed down. I lost count of how many stairs we went down. But I was sure we were far underground. Rat finally opened one of the doors along a short landing. Slipping inside we were in a dark hall. He walked briskly to the far end. Unlocking the last door, he swung it open. Reaching inside he flicked on a light.
“Welcome to my humble home, your majesty.” He bowed as he held the door for me. The room was instantly familiar, yet strange at the same time. A single bed was pressed against the left-hand wall. Shelves and shelves of books went back far into the still darkened room. To the right was another door. It was cleaner and more modern than his rooms in West District.
“You have a unique taste.” I commented as I turned around. He snorted. I looked back at him. He was leaning against the closed door. His gray eyes watching me. Then I saw it. Maybe he wanted me to see it, or maybe he was hoping I wouldn’t. I moved to a small table beside the other door. Sitting on it was a single vase. Inside was a potted plant. A Shion flower bloomed from it. I ran my hand over the petals.
“Yeah, um…” he reached around me to take the plant. “… it was payment.” He stammered as he opened the door. I followed him into a kitchen. It was small but better than we had in West District. He went to the sink to water the plant.
“Payment for what?” I asked. He chuckled.
“Here come the questions.” He turned to face me setting the plant on the counter.
“I’ve missed you.” He mumbled.
“Oh, Rat.” I cried as I closed the space between us. I pulled him into my arms. “Not as much as I missed you.” I felt the tears hit my hand as I hugged him tighter. His mouth found mine. I knew nothing would stop us here in this hidden world of his.