I can't do this. I cannot do this.
Frantically going through my bag, I scrounge around to find my phone. This cannot be happening. Where is he? He told me he would be here!
Panic and fear alert my body. It's wired, bouncing with energy, adrenaline going through my veins.
Feeling the rectangle, I whip it out of my bag and turn on the flashlight.
I need to calm down. I am okay. I am safe. They will not get me again.
Still with the flashlight on, I shakily dial Damon's number. It rings once, twice, three times until it goes straight to voicemail. I try again. And again. And another time. Each call goes straight to voicemail.
Switching gears, I call Brandon. Maybe he can help me. I don't want to stay here anymore.
He answers on the second ring and a sob racks through my body. I am going to be okay. I am going to be fine. I am safe.
"Rose? Rose, are you okay? Are you crying? What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
His plethora of questions make my chest even together than I thought was possible, I cover my mouth in an attempt to muffle my next sob.
"Br- Brand- Brandon, c-can you come?"
"Rose? Where are you? Is there anyone there with you?"
"W-work. Alone."
"I am on my way, okay? Sit tight for me. I will stay on the phone with you. Can you tell me what you did today? I heard you had your first client meeting, can you tell me how that went?"
Swallowing back the hiccups, I breathe calming breaths. I can talk about work.
Putting him on speaker, I shine the flashlight in a semicircle around me. My back is against the wall of the building so I don't have to keep watching my back.
"I-it was good. H-he… he… he was nice. I- I like his book. The g-girl is a princess who is abandoned by her family and it tells the t-t-tale of how she gets back to them, meeting an old friend on the way. It's m-mystery, action, and romance so it has enough for everyone to find enjoyment out of it... Although I think the history of their friendship could be given more detail, it's so brief and it limits their romantic attraction towards each other and the significance of finding each other."
"That's good. Did he agree with your suggestion?"
"At first he didn't understand what I meant because he wrote about them a decent amount, but it was what they did together, but not how they bonded as friends and became more to each other. It was missing the loss they both felt when they lost each other. He understood what I was saying after I explained that to him."
"I'm glad you sorted that out with him. Are you in the front of your building?"
I blink. I- I forgot I was here alone. I forgot that I was standing in the dark. He made me forget.
"Yes."
"Perfect, I see you."
His car pulls up in front of me and I rush to open the passenger door and sit. He locks the door behind me and turns sideways to face me.
"Are you alright?"
I nod. Now I am.
Opening his arms, I snuggle myself between them and breathe in his scent. He calms me. He was there when I had my first nightmare. Damon finally thought it was safe to take a shower while I was sleeping. Little did the both of us know.
"Yes. Thank you for coming to get me. I thought Damon was, but I tried to call him and he never answered."
"I'm glad you called me. You know, I can always come to pick you up or drop you off whenever you need, right?"
"I know, but I never want to bother you. I shouldn't be bothering Damon as much as I am. Sometimes I wait for the both of you to snap and kick me out or something. I wouldn't blame you."
"Rose, we would never do that. We love you and you are never a bother to us. Look at me." He picks up my chin with his fingers until we are eye to eye. "I mean that. We both care for you and we will do whatever we need to do to make sure you are happy again."
"Don't you ever get tired of it?"
"Never."
We sit in silence for a moment until he turns back towards me. "Are you ready to go home?"
Without a moment to think about his question, I blurt "yes."
He nods and pulls out of the driveway.
"Do you want to tell me what happened earlier?"
I was hoping he wouldn't ask me that.
"It really was nothing. Damon never came to pick me up, but I was scared that they would get me again. I- I was outside by myself in the dark. I really don't like the dark."
"Can I ask you something without you being offended?"
"Yes."
"What were you doing here so late by yourself?"
"Today was a good day for me. I was able to focus on my work, I had my first meeting, I was getting to know my assistant better. I was on a role. I don't remember what it was like to work here prior, but I think I felt like I would have if everything didn't happen. It just felt so normal and I was really free while I was working. To be honest, I know I should have gone home with everyone else, but I didn't want to stop and lose the normalcy."
"I am really glad to hear that. I remember when I first started working, I was so excited that I was actually making a difference in the company and I was drunk off the feeling. I was able to work longer, I wanted to work longer, and I was able to get things done efficiently. I didn't want to waste a second. Our reasons for working longer aren't the exact same, but I know an inkling of what you feel."
I don't know what to say after that so I don't say anything. While he is right that we liked work for different reasons and he may not totally understand how I feel, it is relieving to know that he may have some clue into what I feel. I don't feel so isolated anymore.
Pulling into the apartment complex we both get out of the car and walk into the building. There is still silence between us, but it's comfortable and relaxing.
"Did you eat today?"
"I went out for lunch with Amelia during our break today."
"Are you hungry?"
On cue, my stomach lets out a monstrous growl that reverberates throughout the stairwell.
"I'll take that as a yes. What do you feel like eating? Actually, don't answer that. I'll call for Chinese when we get inside. You still like that, right?"
At his words, memories rush back to me, my mind throbbing like it's going to explode. I should be used to this pain by now, but I still drop to the floor, a cry coming from my lips, my palms pressing against my temples.
"Rose!" Brandon screams, running over to me.
I don't see Brandon after that as flashes of memories blind my eyes. There are flashes of the first time I met Brandon, the movie night, his coming to help me when Damon had me pinned. Every moment with Brandon, that I know of, comes rushing back to me in an overwhelming couple of moments.
As the memories start to fade and my headache starts to dull, I hear Brandon calling out to me, slightly shaking my body. I blink a couple of times, my vision coming back to me.
And I finally see Brandon. And by see, I don't mean physically. I finally remember him enough to know who he is to me and how significant he is in my life. He is like an older brother to me and everyone needs one of those from time to time.
Without a word, I crash my body into his for a hug. He doesn't hesitate before hugging me back, one of his hands smoothing down my hair in a comforting manner. I snuggle further into this shoulder.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. Thank you for always being there for me."
"Do- do you…"
"Yes, I remember you. And, really, thank you. I didn't realize how much I needed you."
"Of course, Rose. I will always be here for you no matter what."
Once again my stomach rumbles, ruining the moment we were having. Pulling away laughter shakes our shoulders.
"I'll order Chinese?"
"That sounds perfect. Thank you."
He nods and pulls his phone out of his pocket. As he recites our order, I walk into the living room and look through Netflix until I find a movie for us to watch. I pick out a comedy. I still love horror, but I don't know if I am ready to watch that. I don't know if I ever will be ready.
Joining me on the couch, he pulls the blanket from the cushion next to him and places it over us. I lean my head against his shoulder and after letting me know that the Chinese food will be here in fifteen minutes, we play the movie.
The rest of the night follows suit, we watch movies until both of our eyes close, our empty take-out cartons forgotten on the table.