Lemons and Roses

Episode10

The door burst open.

I flinched so hard my body jerked against the chair, the rope biting deeper into my wrists. Light flooded the room, and for a moment all I could see was a dark silhouette framed by chaos outside.

Then the figure stepped in.

A man.

His breathing was uneven, chest rising sharply like he had run the entire way here. His eyes scanned the room rapidly. Walls, corners, floor, checking for threats or movements.

Then his gaze landed on me.

Something in his expression shifts instantly. Panic sharpened into focus.

He moves towards me.

I instinctively shrank back, pressing myself into the chair as much as the bindings allowed. My eyes narrowed, guarded, every muscle tense. I didn’t speak but my silence was measured, controlled, warning him not to come closer.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said quickly. Stopping a few steps away.

His voice was steady, but not calm. It carried urgency, like he was trying not to scare me more than I already was.

“I’m here to help you.” My name is Brad, I saw you being kidn*pped by those men so I followed.

I still say nothing.

I watch him carefully, eyes tracking every movement, every shift in his posture. People always say things like that. People always lie.

The man seemed to understand my hesitation. He didn’t approach again. Instead, he slowly moved behind me.

My body stiffened immediately.

“Hey,” he said softer. “I’m going to untie you, okay?”

No response.

Still, he works carefully at the knots behind my chair. The ropes loosened.

I felt the pressure ease around my wrists, but I didn’t relax.

When the final knot gave way, I stood up instantly and created distance between me and him.

My legs wobbled slightly from sitting in one position for hours, but I caught myself.

The man stepped aside, giving me space. “We need to go. Now.” He beckoned softly.

I didn’t argue, I followed him.

The moment I stepped outside the room, my breath caught.

The sight made my stomach twists violently.

Three men lay scattered across the floor outside, groaning in pain. One was clutching his ribs, another was unconscious, and the third was trying unsuccessfully to crawl away.

Guns were everywhere—dismantled, broken apart, pieces scattered like junk.

The air smelled of sweat, metal, and dust.

I stopped walking.

Brad noticed immediately. “Don’t look at them,” he said firmly. “Keep moving.”

I followed him out of the building without another word.

Outside, the night air hit her like a shock.

A car was parked nearby.

Brad opened the passenger door for me. I hesitated for a second, then got in without protest.

The ride was silent at first.

He started the engine and drove away quickly, checking the mirrors constantly.

After a while, he spoke.

“Are you okay? I didn’t answer.

What is your name? He asked again.

You can drop me off here, I’ll find my way home.

I answered finally.

I’ll give you a lift home, you won’t get a cab around here and it’s not safe to walk around this late.

I gave him my address and went back to being quiet.

Brad sighed quietly but didn’t push further.

The rest of the drive passed in silence.

When we arrived, the moment I stepped inside, everything collided at once.

Zia was there.

Jason too.

They both freeze when they see me.

Then Zia screams my name and runs forward, grabbing me in a tight hug.

“Rue!” she cried. “Where were you? What happened? We thought—”

Jason followed, relief flooding his face. “Thank God. We were losing our minds.”

I stood still in the middle of it. I didn’t hug back, didn’t speak. Didn’t even blink properly.

Zia pulled back, hands on my face, scanning for injuries. “Are you hurt? Did something happen?”

Then Zia finally noticed Brad standing behind me.

She blinked. “Who… is that?”

Jason looks over too. “Yeah… who’s the guy?”

I didn’t answer.

I step away from them and walk straight towards my room.

The door closed behind me.

Zia turned slowly to Brad, embarrassment flashing across her face. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “She’s not usually like this.”

Brad shook his head. “It’s okay. After what she went through… it makes sense.”

Jason crossed his arms. “What exactly did she go through?”

Brad exhaled. “She was kidn*pped. I followed them after I saw her being taken. They had her tied up in an abandoned building. I got there just in time.”

Zia’s face crumpled instantly.

“No…” she whispered.

Then it broke completely.

She turned away, covering her mouth, tears spilling as she rushed toward the door. “I need air,” she choked out before leaving.

Jason stood frozen for a moment, then sighed heavily.

Thank you Brad, for saving her.

Don’t mind her behaviour, she is just going through a lot right now.

It’s no problem at all, I kind of figured that out when she wouldn’t speak to me all through the ride here.

Zia came back briefly, wiping her face.

“I’m sorry about all this,” she said softly. “And… thank you for bringing her back.”

Brad nodded. “Of course.” I better get going, goodnight.

She gave him a small, tired smile goodnight. Settling on the couch.

That night, Zia slept there.

Jason returned to his own home.

And Rue didn’t come out of her room.

Two weeks passed like that.

I didn’t leave my apartment.

Didn’t answer calls, didn’t speak much.

Zia came almost every day anyway. Sometimes she brought food and left it in the kitchen. Sometimes she just sat in the living room quietly, pretending the silence wasn’t eating her alive.

I always heard her, but I respond with nods or two words sentence.

Until one day at noon, I was surprised when the knock came cause Zia always let’s herself in without knocking anymore.

Jason would come with Zia so she’d let both of them in.

I froze inside my room.

I hadn’t opened my door for anyone in two weeks. But something about this knock made me move.

Slowly, I approached the door.

I looked through the peephole.

And for the first time in weeks, something cracked in my expression.