Monroe took Rosalee's hand, and they both tore off through the winding paths of the park. They headed back towards town, hoping to find a safe place to hide. Rosalee had kicked off her shoes in an effort to gain speed. The sound of her feet hitting the pavement was barely audible above their panting as the two wesen reached the edge of the park.
"Where do we go?" Rosalee managed between breaths.
Monroe thought about all the possible locations between them and the police station. "I have an idea. Follow me." He growled, taking off again, Rosalee on his heels.
People had to almost jump out of the way as they ran by, earning some confused and slightly concerned glances. Cars honked and screeched as they ran across busy intersections, and they paid no mind to whether or not they used a crosswalk.
"Where the hell are we going?" Rosalee called up to Monroe.
"You'll see, just stay with me." He called back.
Finally, Monroe stopped at a building. He motioned Rosalee into the same jewelry shop he had been in that morning. He turned around quickly and locked the door. The lights overhead of them were busted out, and the shattered glass lay on the floor. The glass display cases were broken, too, all except for one. But perhaps more terrifying, the glass of this one had been spattered with blood.
"Oh God." Monroe muttered. "Sam? Sam, are you here?" He tried, noticing the girl wasn't at her usual post.
"Mon..." Rosalee gestured to her left, to a small partition on the counter.
"No." Monroe breathed. He slowly knelt down to find the bloody, battered body of the same woman who had sold him the ring. He reached out a gentle hand, lifting one of her cold, lifeless hands that had been balled into a fist. He unfurled the fingers to reveal a small blade. "He was here."
Rosalee laid a comforting hand on Monroe's shoulder. "I'm so sorry."
Suddenly, there was a loud banging sound outside the door. Someone was jiggling the door handle, trying desperately to open the large oak door. Monroe beckoned for Rosalee to get behind the counter. She reluctantly complied, sneaking quietly around the display case-turned desk. Monroe stood slowly, his claws peaking out where fingernails once were, fangs poking out in place of teeth, and eyes glowing a deep ruby. The door handle went motionless again, and an eerie silence filled the shop.
Bang!
The door burst open, and a white light flooded the room. Monroe quickly shifted back to his human form, noticing that none of the scents were that of a Reaper. Although, one scent was strikingly familiar...
"Nick Burkhardt, Portland Po- Monroe?" Nick lowered his light. "What are you doing here?"
Monroe and Rosalee sat on the stoop of the jewelry shop, police officers and detectives shuffling around inside. A few officers carried a body bag to the ME truck outside, and Monroe swallowed hard thinking about who was inside. He wrapped Rosalee up in his arms, holding her close to him.
"Are you two okay?" Nick asked, stepping out of the shop.
"Yeah, just a little shaken up." Rosalee answered for both of them.
"That's understandable." Nick sighed, looking down at Monroe. Monroe looked away, focusing back on the ME truck as its doors closed. "You okay Mon?"
"Yeah, I'm alright." Monroe mumbled, looking up at Nick. "I think it's time we headed home."
"I can give you guys a ride, if you want." Nick offered.
"Yeah, I guess that'd be okay." Rosalee said, helping Monroe up as she got to her feet. She rested her head on his shoulder once again, and Monroe kept an arm around her shoulder.
Monroe and Rosalee waved goodbye to Nick as he backed the cruiser out of Monroe's driveway, heading back to the police station. The two walked in the front door, Monroe kicking off his loafers, Rosalee pulling the pins out of her dark brown hair, letting it fall past her shoulders. Neither of them had spoken the whole way home, just looked out their windows at the passing scenery.
"I think I'm gonna go to bed." Rosalee yawned. She smiled sadly at Monroe, brushing the hair out of his beautiful auburn eyes. "You comin'?"
Monroe nodded solemnly, leaning into the touch. He stepped forward, encompassing Rosalee in a hug, something he didn't much do. Rosalee inhaled the mild scent of his cologne, mingled with the salty taste of sweat. She traced small patterns in his back, listening to his breathing.
"Mon, it's okay sweetie. It's gonna be okay." Rosalee soothed.
"I know it is." Monroe sniffled, pulling away, but still holding on to Rosalee. A few tears pooled at the corners of his eyes, one of the freeing itself and falling down his face. Rosalee wiped it away before placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Come on, let's get to bed."
Notes: I'm hoping to get this story hammered out before school starts up again. but seeing as how I start work tomorrow, that may be difficult. My apologies if uploading is slow! Just give me some gentle reminders now and then, and I'll try and get done what I can. Thanks!