Finale Breath

Trouble

Rat. The name spun in my head as the water washed over me. I smiled into the wall. Placing my face against the cool tile I could feel him. Last night had been the first time I had had sex with anyone. I could still feel him. Feel his touch. My hand brushed my mouth. Rat. The smile wouldn’t leave my face I had finally been able to tell him how I felt about him. I had loved him from the moment I saw him standing in that window bleeding on my floor.
  I shut the water off. Getting out I dried off. I tried to peer into the mirror to see if I could see him through the crack in the bathroom door. I couldn’t. Yet I knew he was still there. I could hear him singing softly to the baby. What would little Shion think of him? I wondered. I had told him of Rat only a few times. Fear gnawed at me, would Rat even want to return to number six with me? I pushed the thought away, now wasn’t the time for this.
Once dressed in a charcoal grey suit with a blue shirt I fixed the time before walking out. Rat paused in his pacing. He had been walking around with Dani and singing to her. He looked me over a small smile touching his lips. He had not said he loved me back. I knew Rat wouldn’t be able to express himself like that. The look on his face now was all I needed from him. I felt me checks heat up.
Looking away from him I studied myself in the mirror. Dark colors were supposed to make you look more powerful. I always thought they washed out my pale skin and hair. They seemed to highlight my scared face and red eyes. I sighed at myself. I would never be as good looking as Rat. Or as graceful. He caught the attention of everyone just by walking into a room.
As if reading my thoughts, he appeared behind me in the mirror. His micro fiber cloth scarf was wrapped around his chest. Dani tucked in safely against him was fast asleep. He curled one arm around my waist dropping g a kiss to my temple.
“Ready?” he asked in his soft voice. I gave a small nod. He stepped back. With that little smile turning up the corner of his mouth, he went to open the door for me.
We didn’t talk as we walked to the elevator. He stood at the back watching me. I wanted to move to his side but I knew what was were walking into. For me it would be a war zone. I took a last deep breath letting it out as the doors opened.
We were in the main dining room. All the ambassadors were there already. I stepped from the elevator. Rats presence moved with me. I greeted Betty my coworker from number six. She flashed her steely eyes to my dark shadow, but said nothing. Moving on I talked to a few others as we mingled around.
There were several females my age. Each belonging to an ambassador from another city. Each had come with their parent. I had been aware for a while now that many thought I should marry. Even more thought I should marry and unite Number Six with one of the other city-states. Yet the only person I could ever imagine being with for the rest of my life was the man trailing me around the room.
Rat had moved off to the outskirts of the floor. He moved when I did. He kept me in his sight the entire time. I could feel his gaze on me as I moved to talk to this person or that. Many of the girls followed me as well. Pella found me as I reached the center of the room.  Her blue hair hung long against her back. She was wearing a snow-white dress. It washed her out drastically. She looked like a ghost.
I smiled as she came up to me. She slipped her arm into my elbow.
“How is the best dancer of the night?” she asked me. Her glaring red lips curved in a wide smile. I faked a shocked expression.
“I don’t know.” I said. “Rat is around here somewhere.” I grinned then. She tossed her head back laughing loudly. It hurt my ears.
“How are you this afternoon, Pella?” I asked replacing the fake smile. She grinned at me.
“Much better now that you are here.” She had lowered her voice. It felt weird to hear her talk like that. Many girls did this. I wasn’t sure why they thought it was sexy. It sounded like they were trying to stage whisper and failing.  I smiled, pulling my arm from hers as the daughter of the Mayor of Number Two walked up to us. I forgot her name already. She heled out her hand.
“Shion, so glad you arrived. I was binging to think you stood me up.” I bowed slightly but before I could say anything, Pella glared at her.
“Rachel, Shion is with me this afternoon.” She huffed. I laughed holding my hands up.
“I am able to talk with both of you. Rachel, I did look into that situation we spoke of. I am greatful that you brought it to my attention. I have someone researching it already.” She dipped her strawberry curled head at me, still glaring at Pella.
“Thank you, Shion. I knew you would understand.” She glided away as more girls came to talk with me. My eyes flittered over to Rat. He was leaning against the wall. His head down he was glaring at everyone. I smirked. Carefully I removed myself from Pella once more. Slipping behind her I moved to talk to an older woman from Number Five. She had been in charge of setting up the exchange program that my friend Safu had been a part of.
“Shion, it’s lovely to see you. How have you been?” she greeted me with a warm smile.
“I have been doing better.” I bowed slightly to her. She grasped my hand, turning me so that I was between her and the wall. The horde of girls blocked from me by her. I smiled a real smile up at her.
“They still trying to pair you up with someone?” She asked knowingly. Before I could answer the announcer stated for everyone to find their seats. I gave her a swift nod then went over to where Betty and I would be sitting with Pella and her father. Betty grinned at me moving to take the seat next to the blue haired girl. I gave her a smile as I slipped into my seat. I was between Betty and the other ambassador from Number Three. He was a stout little man with a funny mustache. He greeted me with a smile. I nodded.
My eyes found Rat. He had moved along the wall to remain as close to me as he could. There were some announcements on the goings on of politics. Only a few things related to my interests. I listened politely. Then the food was served and the talk began. Masters attempted to get my attention but Betty butted in. This gave me time to turn to the other ambassador.
“Hello, I am Shion from Number Six. I don’t think we officially met yet.” The stout little man held out his hand.
“Garret, from Number Three.” He stated. His mustache twitching as he spoke. I tried not to laugh at it. We discussed a few trade investments we might be able to set up in the near future between our governments. He was a nice friendly sort. Masters glared at me the rest of the meal.
Once everything was over there was some more mingling. Once again, the various females tried to get me away from the others. I saw Rat glance at the clock. He looked down at the baby still strapped to his chest. It was getting to be late afternoon. The child’s mother would be getting home soon. I excused myself from yet another young lady.
Moving over to Rat’s side I smiled at him. “I think I am ready to be going now.” I told him. He gave a short nod. We headed toward the exit.
“Shion, I noticed you checked out of your room. Are you not staying for tonight festivities?” Masters had stopped us just before we reached the safety of the back-parking lot.
“Oh, I plan to be there.” I smiled at him, hiding behind the mask. I gave him a small nod.
“But you are no longer registered as a guest here.” He tried once more to pin me down.
“That’s correct.” I stated not giving him any further details. “I must be going. I will see you this evening.” I bowed before moving past him. He tried to grab my arm. Rat was faster. He steered me out of the way. Masters eyes narrowed at the man beside me. Rat didn’t even look at him but continued to propel me along the hall.
“That was interesting.” Rat growled. I chuckled.
“What? Masters trying to find out where I am staying?” I asked grinning like a fool at the person beside me. Rat’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“No.” he grunted.
“Oh, you don’t mean the girls?” I asked coyly. He snarled at me under his breath. I didn’t make out what he said. I chuckled as we made our way to the silver car in the parking lot. Looking through the windshield I saw Masters watching us from the window of the hotel. His daughter was at his side looking on wistfully.
Rat said nothing on our drive back to his place. He went a different way and changed cars twice before we pulled into the underground parking spot in a beat-up green truck. He pulled the baby from the back seat. Together we moved down the steps to his underground rooms. Rat opened the door that lead to the hallway. He stopped before I could step out into the hall. His body blocking me from seeing much.
“Something isn’t right.” He whispered. He pulled something from his back. I felt the warm handle of a knife pressed into my hand. “Stay close.”
“Give me Dani.” I tried to give him the knife back. I didn’t want it. I would rather watch the baby if it came to any fighting.
“No.” he moved out into the hall. There was nothing I could hear or since that was off. We moved along the wall. Rat growled softly when we reached the first door. It stood open just a little bit. There was a bloody smear on the handle.
Using his boot, Rat pushed the door open. “Stay right here.” He ordered me.
“Rat, please, give me the baby.” I begged afraid it would get hurt if Rat had to fight his way out. He only shook his head at me.
“Stay.” He barked. I stayed as he moved slowly into the room. I could see the room was in shambles. Chairs and tables turned over. Papers tossed everywhere. Drawers were broken and tossed around.
An older woman stretched out on the couch. Rat’s body prevented me from seeing her entire body. Yet it didn’t look like the chest was moving. I bit at my lower lip as Rat moved to check the pulse. He swore. I swallowed the fear in my throat. That was when I saw a pair of sneakers sticking out from under the TV.
“Rat” I breathed out. He turned slightly to see me. I pointed to the shoes. They were attached to feet. He moved the TV off of the body. Glancing away he reached out to touch the face of this victim.  Hurriedly he moved to my side.
“Come on. It’s not safe her any longer.” He grabbed my arm pulling me down the hall.
“Was that Dani’s mother?” I asked. Rat shook his head.
“No, Sarah wasn’t there. But her mother and Aunt are no longer in this world. I have to find Sarah,” He touched something on his own door before it clicked open. Rat moved into the room. He pulled a bag out from under the bed. Moving around he tossed a few things into it. Clothes, books, weapons, some food and last the Shion flower that had sat on the table by the kitchen. Closing the bag, he ordered me to stay where I was. This time he gave me the baby. A brush of his lips along mine.
“I will be back in five minutes. Do not leave this room for anything.” Once I nodded, he was gone. I gently rocked the baby in my arms as I paced. It was the second longest five minutes of my life. The first being watching him walk away from me after the wall fell.
Rat came back with another bag on his back. From the looks of it, it was Dani’s things. He grabbed the diaper bag that Sarah had left that morning. Then he picked up his own bag. I grabbed the handles of mine.
“You won’t mind going back to Number Six tonight, would you?” He asked. I thought about it. Pulling my phone from my pocket I called Betty.
“Hey there angel, ready to tell me about that dark handsome shadow you acquired?” she greeted me. Her tone was light, teasing.
“Not just yet. Betty, something has come up. I need to return to Number Six. Can you handle things this evening by yourself?” I sked.
“Is Little Shion alright?” concern touched her voice. I smiled.
“No, he’s fine. It’s…” I paused should I tell her the truth.
“It’s about Masters. That man has it out for you. I heard him say something about getting you one way or another.” Her voice was cold now. “Is mister shadow with you now?” she asked.
“Uh, yes.” I said.
“Let me talk to him.” I frowned. I held the phone out to Rat. He looked startled but took it.
“Yes?” He said. His face changed from confusion to anger, to something in between. He gave a nod then realized she couldn’t see him.
“Understood. Shion will be safe I promise.” There was another pause.
“Understood.” He held the phone back out to me.
“Stay with him Shion. No matter what happens stay with the Rat.”  I gasped how did she know about him?
“I will. Betty?”
“Yes?”
“When you get back, we really need to talk.” I said.
“That we do.” The phone clicked. She had hung up.
“Sarah will wait for me at one of two places. If she isn’t there then we head out.” Rat moved to the door. He held his hand out for the phone. I gave it to him. He snapped it in half throwing it back into the room. He ushered me out. Something round was in his hand. He pressed a code into it. Throwing it into the room He closed the door.
I felt the ground shake when we stepped out of the underground parking lot. Rat hadn’t gone near the truck. Now we walked along an alley way. Glancing back smoke curling out of the passage. More little ground shakes. Nothing upset the Rat before me. He found a car. Placing the baby in the back we left.