Living in the shadows
My iPhone ringing brought me out of my daze. Looking at the caller ID, I was surprised to find Tank's name. I picked up, dreading the conversation, hoping Ranger was alright.
"Hello."
"Steph, its Tank. I was wondering if you could come to Rangeman"
Relieved it wasn't about Ranger, I replied "Sure big guy, is it a distraction? Or maybe a search?"
"Um No, It's Ranger. Please I'm not supposed to be talking to you, just get here." Then I heard the dial tone.
Shit. Ranger. What could've possibly happened? He left on a mission almost eight months ago. Seven months, fifteen days, ten hours and twelve minutes since I last saw him, since he last told me that he loved me, since I last told him that I loved him. Suddenly, I was seeing spots and then darkness surrounded me.
I woke up on the floor, confused by my location, I knew wasn't drunk or kidnapped since I was still in my condo. Then the phone call with Tank came back to me and I sat up, my brain on overdrive and raced to my car. Squealing out of the garage I reached Rangeman in ten minutes. I took the stairs, knowing the elevator would just slow me down and burst into Tank's office.
He looked up startled at the disturbance, then let out a sigh when he realised it was just me.
"Bombshell."
"Tank." Was it just me or did he look nervous.
"Sit down" He intertwined his fingers together, his blank face in place.
I sat down and waited for him to continue. "Steph, I am not supposed to be telling you this, but I think this is important for you to know." With a sigh, he went on "Ranger returned from his mission three days ago. No one knows of his arrival besides me, Ella and now you." I nodded, wondering why he hadn't come to see me or contacted me.
"The mission was completed but it fucked him up good. He doesn't want to see anyone, doesn't sleep well, or eat well. I know because I have a camera installed in his apartment in case of an emergency." He paused. "He needs you there with him bombshell, or I don't think he'll ever be himself again. You don't have to do this, but do it anyway, please." His eyes were suspiciously misty.
A drop of water splashed my chest when I realised that I was crying. I went around the table and hugged him before wiping my eyes and turning toward the door.
"Thank you." I whispered before exiting.
XXXOXXXOXXX
I took the elevator to seven, nervous and anxious. The ding of the elevator seemed too final. I stepped out with shaking legs and pressed the button on my fob to open the apartment.
The cool silence greeted me, the owner of the space nowhere in sight. Walking in my heels clicked on the marble surface, announcing my entrance. The quite of the apartment seemed too loud as I searched through the surface, looking for my lover.
I stopped outside the door of the bedroom, not knowing what to expect from its occupant, or whether to expect an occupant. With a steady hand, I turned the knob, half-expecting an empty room. Instead lay the stature of a man.
I stepped in, slowly walking toward him. Reaching down, I pulled down the blanked covering his face, not surprised to see chocolate brown eyes staring back. What surprised was the haunted look, and the horrific injury to his face.
He turned away from my gaze, seemingly ashamed. That hurt me more than any other pain I've had in my lifetime. I bent down and uncovered the rest of him. The metallic tang of blood and sweat hit me as I realised that he hadn't showered in a while.
I reached for his hand and pulled him up. He obliged, standing up in front of me. I reached for his tee and pulled it off his chest, uncovering more scars. I reached for his pants but his hand stopped me. I held his gaze and reached for his pants again, this time successfully. As his pant dropped, I realised why. There were bruises on his thigh and finger prints on his penis.
Looking back into his eyes, I stripped and pulled him into the shower. I poured a hefty amount of Bulgari into my hands and set about cleaning him. I ran my hands over his chest, his broad shoulders, noting each new scar. I washed his hair and his back. I poured more shower jell into my hands and kneeled in front of him. I went over the scars and bruises on his thighs and legs. Then I looked up at him gazing at me with the haunted look I'd first seen. My arms went around his waist and I bent down to kiss his inner thighs and then his penis. Then I moved up to kiss his navel. I stood up, turning the water on rinsing him before kissing his chest and then finally his lips.
I turned the water off and pulled him out, wrapping myself in a bath robe and the moved to wipe him with a towel. He just stood there staring at me. I looked into the medical cabinet to find an antiseptic cream and rubbed it over his scars.
Then I pulled a pair of boxers from his dresser and motioned for him to lift his legs. Pulling his boxers over his hips, I searched for a Rangeman tee to put on and also found a pair of my panties in 'my' drawer.
I led him to the kitchen to get him some food. The refrigerator held a bowl of soup so I warmed it up. I sat him down and then sat on his lap and proceeded to feed him.
XXXOXXXOXXX
After feeding him I pulled him into the bedroom and made him stand by while I changed the covers. After making sure everything was blood free, I pulled him to the bed and lay down next to him.
Then for the first time since I entered this apartment, he put his arms around my waist and pulled me to him. With a sigh, I let sleep engulf me.
XXXOXXXOXXX
I don't know if I'm going to continue with this story. If you think this is not a satisfactory ending, please review and tell me. If you think this ending is fine – review anyway. *smile*
Ps. Have a nice day/night where ever you are.