"It doesn't look like anyone's home," Dimitri said as he pulled in front of my house.

I thought about those horror movies where guys took advantage of the fact that no one was home but I didn't think he was one of those guys. I was trusting him. I had to. It was better than risking my life on the night busses.

I unbuckled my seatbelt. "My mother works," I finally answered.

He came around to my side to help me out of the car.

I still couldn't believe I sprained my ankle. Of all the stupid things to do I just had to go off in the forest and run alone. Now I couldn't run at all. Even though running felt good I found that I was pretty okay and not thinking about the terrible things while I was with Dimitri today and then it struck me that maybe it's him that was distracting me and not the physical work.

The first guy in weeks to be genuinely nice to me.

I immediately shook the thoughts away as he helped me to my door.

I unlocked it and hobbled inside, unsure of what to do with Dimitri behind me.

He had to help my over the step in the hallway and ended up coming all the way in, sitting me at the kitchen counter.

"It's pretty cold in here. Do you want me to turn on the heat?"

"Doesn't work," I said flipping through the caller i.d. so see if my mom called. "I can fix that."

I hadn't really heard what he said until a few moments later I heard the rattling of the heater turning on and looked up to see him putting the dial back in place on the wall.

I must have looked dumbfounded because he gave a soft laugh. "I'm good and handy work and it was a small problem."

"Thank you," I said looking up at the ceiling in disbelief. The room automatically felt warmer. I felt like I had to offer him something for fixing our heater. "D-do you...want something to drink? Some tea or hot chocolate?" I offered gesturing to the counter awkwardly as I tried to turn in my chair.

He smiled, walking toward the counter. "Sure. I'll make it."

He helped himself to the kitchen with me giving him direction on where the cups and hot chocolate mixes were and soon enough he was setting down my second cup of reassuring hot chocolate for the day.

I hadn't even finished my cup from this morning because of how distracted I'd been, thinking too much about what to say to my mother's questions. I could relax and enjoy it now.

I sipped the warm liquid and felt cool all over.

"The trick is to add two bags to each cup," he told me, drinking from his own cup.

"It's good," I agreed. "My favorite drink."

"Mine too," he smiled softly.

We drank in silence we sipped at our drinks. It wasn't uncomfortable so much as I felt like I had to fill the silence but I couldn't come up with anything and then I realized it was okay if I said nothing. Patience was one of Dimitri's good traits.

I looked at his hands, his arms, and thought about how much I use to want to feel safe when someone held me but Adrian had taken that all away. Now I was afraid of everything, even the slightest touch. I focused on the sound of the heater still on to distract myself.

"My mother will really appreciate that you fixed that," I told him gratefully. "She was worried...this morning about it being too cold."

"My mother still makes sure I wear my ear muffs when it snows," he smiled and I actually almost giggled.

I held the warm cup between my hands. They felt a little tender after practicing striking today. My palms were the pattern of the gauze that had been wrapped around my hand and were a little red. My nails were broken and chipped and overall my skin was thin and cool.

Dimitri noticed me looking at my hands. "They won't feel as bad after a while of practice," he said, setting his mug down. "You're feet won't hurt as much either once you get use to running but it's better with the running shoes. You could have just come in and borrowed them."

I saw where this was going.

He was going to ask why I didn't just come right into the gym, why I was running by myself.

All legit questions but none I could really answer without thinking about why I was running so hard without paying attention.

"Rose."

He said my name gently, stirring me from my thoughts. I didn't look up from my almost empty mug.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have been out there alone," I started to apologize.

I expected him to question me, to interrogate but with his ever-present patience, he was quiet, waiting for me to continue on my own.

"I...I honestly don't know how I even ended up at the gym. Running...isn't something I like doing, at least not before...but now I kind of like it. You were right. It clears my head. I went running this morning around my neighborhood and I just ended up at the gym. I didn't want to stop."

One of those prolonged silences fell into place as he waited for me to tell him why and still explain what had made me fall in the woods.

As I thought about whether I was up for saying anymore to this man who was so patient when I spoke and thought, he spoke.

"Do you know why my first lesson for you is to run?"

I looked up, running my finger over the edge of my mug.

I shook my head.

"It's always good to know the limits of your body, so that if you ever have to run because you're in danger, you know that you can probably outrun your attacker."

I visibly flinched. 'Attacker'.

He continued.

"Running also gives you the feeling that you can do anything, go anywhere at anytime and no one can touch you."

I liked that. It was kind of how I was feeling. Not like I could do anything but like I was moving so fast that no one could stop me. No one could hurt me again. I was safe as long as I was moving.

"I use to run," he said wistfully, as if lost in thought.

"You were a cop," I noted, remembering what Officer Alto had told me.

He nodded slightly, running his finger along the edge of the mug the same way I did. "Running was a part of the job," he said, pride in his voice. He suddenly sounded very much like his mother. "I love it. Every moment of it. It was an adrenaline rush."

I wanted to ask what happened, how he'd been hurt on the job but everyone had a right to their secrets. Especially me. It felt safer that way. Then I couldn't feel the pain anymore. I wondered if Dimitri felt the same way.

He looked completely lost for a moment, thinking back to his days as a cop most likely. He couldn't have been a cop for very long. He still looked young. I wanted him to brighten up, the same way he managed to brighten me up before.

"Do you still run?"

He finally looked up as if just realizing where he was and that I was still there.

"Sometimes but I can't push myself as hard as I use to."

Can't.

I used that same word when I went to tell him I didn't think I could fight and I remembered his response.

"To be able to do something, you have to want to do it."

He smiled at me quoting him, a full on bright smile that was almost too hard not to return.

"True. Believe me I want to run as much as I use to but-"

"No buts," in interrupted, wondering where this boldness was coming from. It sounded so much like my old self.

Maybe it was the sight of a man as physically strong as Dimitri, someone who seemed so well put together and gave strength to everyone else, hurting because of something that happened in the past just like me that really tore me up inside. I didn't like seeing him like this. I'd only known him a few days but I already decided I didn't like him like this.

He seemed as surprised by my interruption as me but only continued to smile.

"You're right. I could probably run like I use to. I might need a partner though and since you seem to be loving running so much, wanna join me...once your ankle heals of course," he added, both of us glancing at my cast.

It sucked, the thought of not being able to run when I was just getting use to it.

The disappointment must've read on my face.

"We can actually use your swollen ankle to our advantage."
"How? More hand to hand 'cause I don't want to hit you in the nose again," I cringed, thinking back on how I struck him earlier today accidentally.

"No," he laughed. "Enduring pain. Enduring physical pain can help you overcome any kind of emotional pain. What do you say? It'll be a sort of rehabilitation. We can start when you feel up to it."

If it was as close to running as I could get, it sounded good. I nodded.

"Good. I think we should get you a pair of your own running shoes...shoes you can really break in and call your own," he suggested.

I shook my head, a few strands of my hair coming loose from my ponytail. "Oh, I can't...I can't afford-"

"No problem. I've got it covered he offered," nonchalantly.

"I can't let you..." my words trailed off because I wanted new shoes but I didn't feel right about letting someone else buy them.

"Without proper running shoes for you, I'll be struggling to run alone," he smiled.

That sounded like enough of a reason to me. I liked this, the idea of helping myself and helping someone else. I felt...excited about something. Running.

"Besides, you'll be less likely to fall with proper shoes," he added, taking both of our cups to the sink to wash and rinse out.

I opened my mouth to tell him that wasn't why I fell, I fell because I was afraid but nothing came out. I waited until he put the mugs on the dish rack and walked back over to me. I felt like I had to tell him, it'd be better if I did.

"I...I didn't fall because of the shoes. I mean I did but that's not the only reason."

He looked down at me from his enormous height and waited, confusion on his face, his brows furrowed and those deep friendly brown eyes staring directly into me. I shuddered. I didn't want to tell him anymore 'cause then I'd remember and I don't want to remember. But it was already out now.

I thought about continuing before shutting my mouth.

When he realized I wasn't going to say anymore he spoke again. "You know, one of the good parts about running is that you don't have to say a word. In fact it's pretty hard to run and talk. You can run and work out everything that's going on in your head but if to gets to be too much, if you think you'd feel better talking about it, I'm here," he offered.

I hadn't told anyone the truth of what happened. The thought of even talking about it brought butterflies to my stomach and made my heart stop but his offer was nice and comforting. I probably wouldn't use it but I nodded, hoping I came across as grateful.

"Well, I should probably get going."

He reached for his keys.

If he was leaving, I'd be alone, in the house, by myself. I'd be okay. I'm fine.

I took a deep breath and hopped off my stool.

"I can find my way out," he offered, seeing me trying to keep the weight off my foot.

"I'll walk you. I have to lock up after you."

He opened the front door and looked around at the darkness of our street and listening to the quiet. He turned to look back at me, his huge frame filling the doorway.

"Are you sure you'll be alright here by yourself? Your mom will be home soon?"

No, but it'd reassure him enough to leave me and I had to be alone eventually. I was home, I could shower, and sleep and before I knew it, it'd be morning.

"I'll be fine."

I realized I didn't answer his second question but he didn't call me on it. He nodded. "OKay. If you need anything..."

"Thank you," I told him gently.

And I meant it.

I felt fine but with everything he said today, everything he offered out of generosity, everything he did for me today, I felt better.

He seemed to see how much I meant it, smile softly again, enough to stretch his unshaven tanned cheeks high on his face. It was a nice smile that made me feel warmer than I had in days and then he left.

I didn't hear him step off the porch until I locked and secured the door. When his car pulled away and I couldn't see his lights through my window anymore I realized I was alone.

As worried as I'd been before, something about knowing Dimitri was there to help me, I felt better than fine.

I felt okay.