Chapter 370 - Days MDCXXXII - MDCLIV

In the morning I met the crew working in the closest warehouse. They had names, but I dint remember those any longer.

The work was simple. We either packed the trucks with boxes full of stuff or took the boxes from the trucks and put them inside. Everything was labeled, so we didn't even have to think. It was very simple work, but depending on what we needed to move, sometimes very taxing. 

I thought that maybe it will be just a day, and The Great One will take me from there, but no. One day turned into two, two in four, and two weeks passed before I knew it. The guys tried to talk to me but quickly stopped as I didn't want to answer any of their questions. I was just doing my job, and getting paid with a roof over my head and few bucks. I even bought some second-handed clothes, like I was suspecting to stay longer in that place.

And then one day, while I was cooking myself dinner, spaghetti from the jar, a person went inside the storage house. It was a young black woman, clearly scared, wearing a short dress with knee-high socks, and a dark jacket with a blue scarf and beret of the same color. She closed the door behind her, panting heavily, and pressed her back on them, then our eyes meet.

She opened her mouth to say something, but although the lips moved, no words came out. Then I heard voices from the outside.

- Did you see her?

- No. I think she went the other way.

- I'm telling you, I saw her running this way.

The girl put an index finger over her lips, gesturing to me to keep quiet. I sighed and went back to cooking. The ruckus outside quickly died down. After few more minutes, I turned to her, still in the same position, leaning against the door, and asked:

- Hungry?

She was panicking out there, and my behaviors and question took her by surprise. She squeezed out few sounds, but I couldn't make anything out of that.

- I get it. It's shitty spaghetti, and judging from the fancy clothes you are used to eating better stuff.

- No, no... I...

She for a moment let go of the door, but then quickly turned back.

- It's ok. They left. Unless you like those doors so much you just can't let them go, I suggest the couch. It's old, but definitely more comfortable than standing there.

- I should go...

- To catch up with your friends? I'm sure they didn't go too far.

- No it's...

At the same moment, I tasted my sauce.

- It's good, that's what it is.

She was puzzled by my behavior, and I finished preparing my meal, and then sat down at the table.

- Who are you? - she eventually asked, and made few steps closer to me, while constantly looking over her shoulder at the door.

- Peter. And you?

- Rachel. Are you not even a little bit concerned by the people who just chased me here?

- Nope - was my answer, and I started stuffing my mouth with pasta.

- They were gangsters - she explained like it would change everything.

I just shrugged my shoulders.

- They had guns - she continued.

- Oh, that changes everything... Let me just finish this, and I promise, I'll start running around and screaming in panic.

I didn't stop eating even for a moment, and she slowly approached me, then stood right next, looking at the food.

- If you are hungry feel free to go and have some. Plates are in that cabinet above the stove.

She looked at me for a moment longer.

- I didn't eat anything for a whole day... - she explained.

- Then how about you will share your life story with me after you've eaten something?

She just turned around, and went to get herself some food, then she sat next to me, and after taking another peek at me eating, she started stuffing her mouth as well. I finished before her and went to wash the dishes.

She was quick and cleared the plate before I finished washing mine, then joined me at the sink.

- Look... I don't know who you are, but I'm in danger...

- Call the police then.

- I can't.

- Why?

- Because... - she sighed. - Because if I do, somebody I care about will go to prison.

- Ok, then what do you want me to do? - I looked her straight in the eyes. - I'm a total stranger, who doesn't live here legally.

Just one glance up close was enough for me to tell two things. First, she was very pretty, and second, she was also very exhausted.

- Just... Can I stay here for the night? I didn't sleep for few days...

- Sure. You can take the couch. There is an armchair somewhere in that pile of stuff. I'll sleep on that.

- Thank you. I'll be gone in the morning.

I ignored her and finished cleaning both plates, then I went to dig in the pile of things on the other side of the storage house. It took me a moment to move things around, and dig up what I was looking for.

- Hey, Peter... Can I use your bathroom?

- Since you are using everything, either way, why don't you use it as well? It's there - I pointed with my finger at the door.

She didn't answer and just left. I on the other hand finally managed to take the armchair out. Then I cleaned it up a bit and placed it in the 'residential' part of the place.

Rachel came out soon after and went straight to the couch as I sat down on my new bed for the night. She pretended to go to sleep, but I knew that it won't come easy for her. She was awake for a while and reacted to even the smallest moves I made.

Eventually, though, she drifted away, and only I remained awake. There was no way I would fall asleep when a bunch of gangsters was sniffing around. For a moment I even considered getting out to kick few asses, but then I realized there is no point to that. Besides, I didn't even know what the hell was going on....