Chapter 4: Helping Mister stranger
1322 Words
Nora's POV
The smell of coffee had long stopped being comforting.
After two years working at Cinnam Brew Café, it had simply become part of the air I breathed. The burnt espresso, fresh croissants, cinnamon rolls and the constant hum of the espresso machine.
“Two cappuccinos!” the manager called from the other end of the counter.
“I got it,” I replied automatically.
My hands moved on their own now in preparing them swiftly.
The routine was familiar enough that my mind often drifted elsewhere.
Far away from this quiet little café tucked between a laundromat and a bookstore. In fact, far away from Riverdale.
“Nora.”
I glanced up.
My coworker, Jenna, was staring at me with an amused expression.
“You’re daydreaming again.”
“I'm not.”
“You poured foam into an empty cup.”
I looked down. Right.
I sighed and dumped it into the sink.
“Long day,” I muttered.
She smirked.
“It’s always a long day with you.”
I handed her the two cappuccinos and moved on to other things.
The lunch rush had passed hours ago, but the café was still busy with the usual evening crowd.
Students with their laptops, office workers grabbing coffee before heading home.
I noticed a couple sharing a slice of cheesecake by the window.
Normal, safe life.
Exactly what I needed.
“Order up!” the kitchen called.
I grabbed a tray and delivered two sandwiches to a table beside the couple.
It was cloudy outside. Obviously, it was going to rain.
Great. I still had shopping to do.
When I returned behind the counter, Jenna nudged me with her elbow.
“You’re watching the clock again.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
I glanced at the wall clock. 6:43 PM.
Seven more minutes.
“Big plans tonight?” she teased.
“No.”
“Secret boyfriend?”
“No.”
“Hidden life as a spy?”
I snorted. "Jenna, could you please let me be. You seem to always have fun invading my space."
She leaned against the counter and studied me.
“You can leave early if you want. I’ll close the register tonight.”
“You sure?” I asked.
“Yeah.” She waved her hand dismissively. “You’ve covered for me enough times.”
I felt so relieved.
“Thanks, Jenna.”
She grinned.
“Just bring me cookies tomorrow.”
“Deal. Even though you already have varieties here.”
I hurried to do my shopping for supplies. It was beginning to drizzle.
By the time I left the grocery store, the rain had turned heavy.
The streetlights reflected on the wet pavement as cars splashed past.
I pulled my jacket tighter and hurried down the sidewalk.
My phone buzzed.
I answered quickly.
“I’m on my way,” I said before the person on the other end could speak.
A pause.
Then a tired voice replied, “You’re late. Again ”
“I know. I'm sorry. I got held up at work.”
Another pause.
“Alright,” the voice said quietly. “Just hurry. I'm running out of excuses to give.”
“I will.”
I hung up and slipped the phone back into my pocket.
By the time I reached my street, my jeans were damp and my hair clung to my neck.
My apartment building stood a little way down a narrow alley between two older brick structures.
The alley was dimly lit, with only one flickering streetlamp near the entrance.
I turned into it quickly, eager to get inside. Then I stopped.
Something lay on the ground ahead. Nay, it was someone.
My heart skipped beats
A man was sprawled on the wet pavement, barely moving.
He wore only a pair of dark shorts and a white singlet that clung to his body in the rain.
For a moment I simply stood there, frozen. My first instinct was fear. I looked around quickly but the alley was empty. There was no one in sight nor voices or noise asides the sound of rain pouring.
My hand slowly moved to my phone. I should call the cops, or an ambulance. That was the best thing to do. I shakily reached for my phone while looking around frantically.
Should I just go and leave him there? What if I get into trouble?
But I wasn't sure I would be able to sleep in peace if I did that.
Just then, I noticed the man’s fingers twitched.
Oh goodness! He was alive. T
I went closer to him as he said something I barely heard.
Every warning alert beeped in my head. Don’t get involved, it could be a trap. Just call for help and leave.
But then the man lifted his hand slightly, weakly beckoning on me.
Help. That’s what he was asking for.
“Damn it,” I whispered.
I rushed closer and knelt beside him. Up close, he looked worse.
His skin was pale. Rainwater ran down his face as his body trembled violently.
“Hey,” I said urgently. “Can you hear me?”
His eyes were opened slightly and they focused on me with surprising intensity despite his condition.
“Help me...” he whispered.
I looked around desperately. The alley was still empty.
“Okay,” I said quickly. “Okay, I’ve got you.”
I slipped his arm over my shoulders and tried to lift him.
He was heavier than I expected.
“Come on,” I muttered, struggling. “Help me out a little here.”
He staggered but managed to stay on his feet with my support.
Together we stumbled toward my apartment building.
Rain soaked us both by the time we reached the entrance.
I shifted his weight against the wall and as I tried to press the bell beside the superintendent’s door, but the man suddenly collapsed again. His body slid from my grip and hit the ground as he shivered violently.
“Water...” he whispered.
Water? He had just been in the rain until a few seconds ago.
I panicked and pressed the bell. The man shivered the more and closed his eyes. Or had he fainted? It seemed like the superintendent wouldn't respond on time. And this was a matter of urgency.
“Alright,” I said breathlessly. “New plan.”
I dragged him toward the elevator.
By the time we reached my apartment door, my arms were shaking.
I fumbled with my keys and shoved the door open.
I almost had to carry him, dragging him inside before kicking the door shut behind me.
He collapsed onto the floor immediately. Rainwater pooled beneath him.
For a moment I just sat there on the floor, a few feet from him, breathing hard. What had I just done?
I didn’t even know this man. He could be anyone. He could be dangerous, or a criminal. Or even worse.
He groaned softly, barely conscious.
“Stay there,” I muttered.
Not that he had much choice.
I hurried to the kitchen and heated some drinking water. Then I grabbed a huge blanket from my room.
When I returned, he was still lying on the floor exactly where I left him. I knelt beside him and draped the blanket around him, then I held the mug near his lips as he drank slowly.
Then his gaze lifted to meet mine. For a moment, even the rain seemed to be quiet. I noticed he was quite hairy, with bushy eyebrows and thick, long lashes and fine sculpted face. I hadn't been this close to a man in... years?
The rain continued pounding against the windows. He took his mouth of the cup to signify that he was okay with the water.
Then I noticed his lips move. I shivered.
Was that a smile? Or a... smirk?
- Writer
