Sydney dialed Gage's digits, holding the phone in one hand and packing an overnight bag in another. She hoped Gage wouldn't mind her staying over. She anxiously waited for him to pick up, not even realizing that she was holding her breath.
"Hello?" Gage answered.
Syd sighed in relief and then regained quickly her composure.
"Hey Gage, it's Syd."
He sounded surprised, "Oh, hi Sydney. What? You couldn't get enough of me?!"
Sydney tried to laugh but it came out more like choking,
"Uh, not exactly. You see, I,"
Gage cut her off, realizing that something wasn't right, "Are you okay Syd? What happened?"
"He called me," Sydney answered, "right after you called. I think he's planted some bugs in my apartment, he knew what I was wearing and where I was standing. Listen, I was wondering if . . ."
Gage interjected again, "Of course Sydney, you can stay here. Get over here right away, he might be closer than you think. Wait, no, I'll come get you."
"Gage, really, I can drive." Sydney argued.
"What if he's waiting outside?" Gage challenged.
"The longer I stay here the more danger I'm in." Syd reasoned.
"Well, oh, all right. But Syd, please be careful."
"I will, bye."
"Bye."
Sydney finished packing and drove to Gage's apartment. When Gage opened the door he sighed a breath of relief.
"Hi Sydney, I called Walker and told him what happened." he said.
"Thanks." Sydney said as she walked into the apartment.
"Have you already eaten?" Gage asked.
"No, actually." she answered apologetically.
"Okay, I've already eaten but I'll whip you up something."
Sydney started to laugh, "Gage, you can't cook more than toast! No offense. I'll just make something quick for myself."
After she ate she sat down on the couch next to Gage.
"So," he asked awkwardly, "how many times has this guy called you?"
"This was the third time." Sydney answered, "But what I don't get is why this guy is putting so much effort in? I mean, if this was just a regular rapist of something he wouldn't call me several times and take the time to plant cameras in my apartment. He would just get me alone as soon as possible and commit his crime. There must be something else going on."
Gage nodded in agreement, but neither of them could come up with any answers. It started to get late and they decided to go to bed.
"You can have the bed," Gage offered, "I'll take the couch."
"Oh no," Sydney said, "I couldn't put you out of your bed. I feel bad enough as it is."
"No really, it's fine. It's the least I can do." he insisted.
"Well, . . . if you're sure."
"Positive."
Sydney settled into Gage's bed while he took the couch.
It didn't take long for her to fall into a much needed sleep . . .
Sydney awoke to quiet noise. She looked over at the clock, 3 AM. Before she was able to see what awakened her a hand was thrown over her mouth. She was still half asleep and caught by surprise. But after a few moments of shock her ranger instincts kicked in. She kicked her unknown attacker and flipped him over. But he was up in a moment, he through her a punch and she went flying backwards. "Gage!" she called.
Syd and her attacker continued to fight, "Syd?" she heard a sleepy Gage call out. "Gage," she shouted, "quick!"
"Sydney!" Gage called, this time more alert.
Distracted by Gage's call she got tackled by her attacker.
"Syd, unlock the door!" Gage yelled.
But Sydney didn't remember ever locking the door . . .
They continued to fight and Sydney seemed to be winning. Her attacker, sensing it was a lost cause, tried to make an escape out the open window. Sydney had never opened the window . . .
She grabbed the man by his foot trying to drag him back.
Gage knocked down the door and cried, "Syd, are you okay?"
Sydney, surprise, turned her head to look at Gage. But this gave the attacker and advantage. He kicked her in the face and she let go of his leg as she fell back. He scrambled out the window as Gage raced towards Sydney.
"Syd?!" he cried worriedly, "are you all right?!"
"I'm fine," Sydney answered, "just get him!" as she pointed to the window.
Gage ran to window, but in vain. The man had disappeared.
Gage turned on the lights and helped Sydney up.
"Uh oh." he said after looking at her.
"What?" she asked.
"Looks like you're going to have a black eye tomorrow."
Sydney looked in the mirror, he was right. Her right eye was red and swelling. She put some ice on it as Gage asked,
"How did he get in here?"
"I'm not sure," Syd answered, "I woke up and he was there. He probably came in from the window. By the way . . . sorry about your door."
When Gage knocked down the door he had succeeded in putting in some very serious damage.
Gage shrugged, "It's okay, I'm just glad you're safe.
"Do you think it was my mysterious caller?" she asked.
"Who else?" Gage reasoned.
When Sydney went back to bed Gage pulled up a chair in the room and sat in it.
"What are you doing?" Sydney asked.
"I don't to risk leaving you alone in here, he might return." he answered.
"Gage, I seriously doubt he'd come back tonight."
But Gage refused to budge. So Sydney fell asleep with the alert eyes of her khight in shining armor looking after her.