The air over the corroded flats outside of Jersey rippled, causing distorted images to flicker in and out of existence. Plastic sheets hung limp in the heat, the warehouse blistering hot except in the small room to the back where Rouge’s fans worked themselves into a frenzy. I wished I was bold enough to grab one for the corner where I had my mattress, but that would mean jury rigging cables and asking Rouge for help. It had taken me days to answer questions with a “yes” or a “no”, forming a full sentence felt impossible.

Rouge was an imposing character, but more of a gentle giant than anything, but I still found it hard to deal even with that. I’ve only seen him angry once, it was the night I wish to forget ever happened.

I knew wandering alone after midnight was stupid, but I didn’t have money for the bus and my co workers lived in the opposite direction. After assuring them I’d be fine I grabbed my summer jacket and bag and walked off into the night, it was a Sunday and I thought this might be the best summer of my life. They must have followed me from the noodle shop, quietly on thick rubber soles and the needle at a ready. I hardly felt the sting, but I did feel them grabbing me and pulling me into an alley. I had time to draw breath but no time to let out a scream. 

The drug took effect almost immediately, making my vision blurry and the blood pound in my ears. Rogue wanted me to go to the police, but I couldn’t remember their faces, only horrible beasts lounging for my helpless body. They used my own butterfly knife to cut my blouse open and slit my skirt all the way to the waist. I tried to make them go away, but my hands travelled through smoke and their laughter frightened me into apathy.

Suddenly bright lights lit up the dark alley, bruising hands let me go and there were loud noises of people fighting. When I opened my eyes an angel of vengeance moved swiftly between my attackers, making them crumble under heavy blows. One of them must have been filming, I remember seeing a broken camera as Rouge carried me away from there.

“I’ve got you, nothing’s going to hurt you.” The soothing voice in my ear sent me into deep sleep, the drug creating horrible nightmares impossible to wake up from.

My next image of him is a careful hand tending to my scrapes and bruises, kind eyes telling me everything is going to be alright, strong arms holding me as I cried. I stayed, never asking for anything, never wondering where I was, the after effects of the drug refusing me peaceful sleep. The next day he gave me a too large t-shirt and a pair of shorts, my own clothes had been thrown away. As my bruises healed I started helping out, cleaning, cooking, watering the crooked fruit trees Rouge kept in huge pots outside the warehouse.

Watching the breeze gently sway the sad little leaves on the lemon trees calmed me. With enough love and care anything could grow out here. They might not be as perfect as the trees outside the fancy restaurants and clubs downtown, but they keep growing and giving us shade and hopefully fruit.

It had been just over a week, today Rouge made me use his terminal to contact my friends and my boss and tell them why I had disappeared of the face of the earth. I told them I got mugged and had been at home, too freaked out to contact anyone. As I was about to logout from my message board I saw one come through to Rouge’s, addressed to a Lukyan Lazienko. My fingers hovered over it, longing to see what it was about, to find out more about my saviour who only presented himself as 'Rouge'.

“You all done?” He sure moved quietly for such a large person.

“Yes.” My voice was hoarse from not being used, I cleared my throat. “Yes I’m done. I think I’m fired.” It took a lot to put those words together and I couldn’t look at him.

“I’m sorry.” He did sound it. “I didn’t mean to get you fired. I just wanted to make sure you were alright. Whatever drug they used messed you up good.” He would know, he had been the one who stopped me from freaking out and running away in the middle of the night from the nightmares that still haunted me.

I left the terminal and got as far as the little kitchen area before the tears started falling down my face, I couldn’t control it, my whole body was shaking and there was nothing for me to do but slip to the floor and let the emotion take over.

“Delila?” His arms around me, keeping me still and letting my tears wet his t-shirt. “That’s your name right?” I nodded as the tears kept falling. “I didn’t mean to pry, but you left your messages open.” I started to laugh, he did what I was about to do. Laughter and tears had me hiccuping and he held me closer. I don’t know how long we sat there, but my tears had dried and I had made a decision.

“I have to go home.” I whispered into his t-shirt. He said nothing, but I felt him nod, once.

I couldn’t remember how we got out here, but the ride back I’ll never forget. He had an enormous black motorcycle that made the trip into town in no time. I held on tight, not from fear of falling off, but from wanting to feel him against me one last time. I wanted to thank him, but I had used up all my words. In the dark apartment a new message flashed on my terminal.

Don’t be a stranger  //Lukyan