Page 12 of Ruined Omega

As I stumble after him onto the stoop, my spilled belongings scatter beneath my feet and roll down the concrete steps.

“Tal, wait,” I say. “I need to get my stuff.”

He stops, glances up and down the street with a tight expression, sniffs the air like a dog.

“Okay,” he says sharply. “But hurry up. We don’t have much time.”

I drop to my knees, grab my bag and start scooping up my belongings, stuffing them back inside. There are some spare credits, hand wipes, lipstick, reading glasses, a few crinkly wrapped tampons that make me flush with embarrassment, an ancient snack bar.

But one thing is missing.

The most important thing.

No, no, no. Why the heck did I have to keep it in my bag? I guess I thought it would be safer if it was on my person at all times, but I never expected a situation like this.

“Come on,” Tal hisses. “You’ve got your things. Let’s go.”

“No,” I whine. “I’m missing something. A bottle of pills.”

My heart drums in my chest. A sick, liquid feeling of panic churns in my gut.

“Is this it?”

Tal stoops and reaches into the shadow of one of the steps, and picks up a small bottle of clear orange plastic rattling with blue pills.

Relief washes over me.

“Yes! Oh thank goodness, yes.”

But as I reach to take the bottle from his hand, Tal hesitates, turning it curiously in his thick fingers.

“No label,” he mutters. “What are these?”

“Allergy medication,” I lie.

Tal gives me an incredulous glance, then turns his eyes back toward the pill bottle, brow furrowing with thought. For a stricken moment, I think he’s going to pocket the pills, but after a beat, he hands them over. I stuff them in my handbag with the rest of my belongings and rise to my feet.

“What about the stuff in my apartment?”

Tal is glancing up and down the darkened street again. He is practically vibrating with tension at this point. Another train squeals on the track high overhead. The streetlight flickers.

“No time. We can come back for it later when we’re sure it’s safe.”

But there are so many things up there. Everything I’ve got left. And there may not be another chance to get it. If the cops find my apartment and confiscate my stuff…

I step back, moving toward the door.

“But my computer. My—“

“No time.”

Tal’s huge fist clamps around my arm again. I sigh, realizing there’s no point in fighting him on this.

“Fine,” I mutter. “Where are we going?”

“Just follow me. It’s not far.”

CHAPTER 6: HINES