C3 3. Missing

The next morning, I woke up early. Everyone else was sleeping, so I searched around the house to look for a piece of paper and a pen.

Once I found one, I wrote ‘Going for a run. Also I took a hoodie with me.’

I soon left the apartment and went to the street. I walked along the road towards Melody’s house. It was early, and she was

probably sleeping. I just wanted to check and see if the house was alright.

After running back to the apartment, it only took 30 minutes. By then, everyone was awake.

I knocked on the door and it was soon opened. Santana had a severe case of bedhead and his sister was also looking like a mess.

I guess they move while they sleep.

“Welcome back! I thought you ran away.”

“I wouldn’t.”

Santana motioned for me to come into the room.

At the same time..

Melody woke up and got ready for school. She was happy as usual, and went downstairs. Night, who would always be sitting in

the kitchen, wasn’t there. She thought it was odd, but she didn’t think much of it.

‘He’s probably sleeping somewhere around the house.’

Melody went out the door after saying goodbye to her family.

Back in the apartment, Helix was sitting on the floor of the apartment.

“We have to go to school, so you’ll be here alone for the day. Please don’t make too much of a mess.”

“Alright. Thank you again.”

“No problem. We’ll be back in 6 hours.”

“Alright, have fun.”

At that, the siblings got ready for school and left.

I was stuck in the house with nothing to do for six hours, so I decided to look around.

Don’t blame me. If you were in someone’s house with no one around, you’d be curious too! Plus, he didn’t tell me to not look

around..

I walked around the small apartment.

The layout was like this: Once you enter through the door, you’d be seeing the living room. First door on the left was the

bathroom. Walk forward just a bit, and to your right would be the kitchen on the same wall the door was on. If you walked about

10 steps straight from the door and turned right, you’d see two bedrooms right across from you. On the right, is Santana’s, and on

the left, there’s his sister’s room.

I think this was an alright description.

I entered Santana’s room first. It was clean. Everything in its place. It also smelled good. There was a bed in the far corner and the

closet was to the right. I opened his drawers and found some interesting things. His clothes were.. Interesting. They’re not

something I’d wear. Ever. They’re something I’d burn, but hey, not my clothes.

The only thing I could tell from his room was that he’s a clean freak and wants to be stronger. He’s also good at math.

Next was his sister’s room.

When I opened the door, my nose was assaulted with some kind of stench. It was disgusting. I looked around as well for a while

before I couldn’t take it anymore. I decided to waste the remaining 5 hours cleaning the apartment. Her room would be my first

target.

Luckily the apartment had a washer and dryer. I finished cleaning her room and scenting it with one of her perfumes. After 6 loads

of laundry and a hell of a lot of work, her room was finished. While cleaning her room, I also found out that her name was Sarah.

While I was on a cleaning kick, I decided to do the rest of the apartment.

When I finished, I had about 30 minutes left before they’d come back. I cleaned up the supplies I used and laid down on the living

room floor.

It was much more spacious than it was before. As a person who was 6’3, I needed at least a long strip of room so I could sleep. I

curled up in the blanket Santana lent me the night before and fell asleep.

When Santana and Sarah came back, they found me sleeping peacefully. The apartment was a lot cleaner than before, but it wasn’t

as noticeable.

“Did he clean..”

“I don’t know. It smells nicer. I’m sure it’s nothing though.”

Santana and Sarah went to their own rooms.

After a few seconds, there was a scream. It was from Sarah’s room.

Santana rushed as fast as he could to her room and looked inside.

It was very clean. It smelled nice as well, and had a lot of space.

Sarah had her mouth open in shock. She was happy.

She ran past her brother and went to the living room to where I was. I was awakened by Sarah when she shook me. Actually, I was

awake when they came in, but I didn’t feel like moving.

I slowly opened my eyes to see Sarah on her knees in front of me with tears in her eyes.

“THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!”

“No problem.”

Santana was watching this whole scene in shock. He’d never heard his sister say those two words to someone before!

Santana sat down on the sofa and asked a question.

“Hey, Helix. What do you think about going to school?”

“School?”

“Yes, school.”

“I have no thoughts. Why?”

“Do you want to go to school, is what I mean.”

“Sure.”

“Really?? That’s great! I’ll talk to the dean.”

I grunted in agreement.

Later that night, I heard Santana grunting in his room.

I went to his door and knocked. I heard a thud and some scrambling. Soon after, the door clicked open.

“Is everything alright, Helix?”

“That’s what I should be asking you. What are you doing in there?”

He blushed a little.

“It’s a little embarrassing to say, especially to you.”

“I won’t laugh.”

“Promise?”

I nod my head.

“Alright, come in please.”

He steps aside and I walk through the door.

He closes and locks the door behind him and goes over to his bed.

He kneels down and takes something out from under his bed.

“This is what I was doing.”

The things he took out from under his bed were dumbbells.

“Working out?”

“Yeah. I want to be stronger than I am now.”

I took the dumbbells from his hands and looked at the weight.

10lbs

Oof.

“Why do you want to get stronger?”

“Huh?”

The question threw him off guard.

“Because I just want to be stronger.”

Of course, I knew there was another reason, but I didn’t push it.

“Why was it embarrassing to tell me?”

“Because you’re muscular and strong.”

“Oh. Would you like to join me for my workouts?”

“I can?”

“Yes. After all, you’re housing me. I can train you while I’m here.”

“Awesome!!! I’ll wake you up in the morning then. After school, I’ll be home.”

Meanwhile, at Melody’s house…

“Mom? Where’s Night? He hasn’t eaten dinner yet.”

Melody’s mother was in the kitchen making something to eat.

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him today.”

“Well, did he eat breakfast at least?”

“...”

Melody’s expression turned cold.

“Did you even feed him this morning?”

“He’s your cat. I have no obligation. But to answer your question, no. I didn’t feed him this morning.”

“Oh. Thanks for telling me. If he hasn’t eaten, he must be hungry then.”

“Honey, you should sleep. You have school tomorrow. You feel him tomorrow morning. Maybe he’ll come to you.”

“Alright mom. Good night.”

“Sweet dreams.”

The next morning, Helix woke up early and went outside for a run.

His route was the same: To Melody’s house, and onwards for about 2 miles. Her house was about 3 miles from the apartment he

was staying at.

At the same time that Helix woke up, Melody also woke up. She went downstairs excitedly and went to where Night’s bowl was.

It was still full from food the day before.

‘Night!! Where did you go? Why did you leave?’

Melody searched through the house. Through every room, through every drawer and closet. Nothing, no one, no sound. He was

gone, and she knew it.

She hurriedly put on some shoes and went outside to search for her cat.

When she got at the end of her driveway, she saw a silhouette of something coming in her direction. As it came closer, she saw

that it was a person.

Closer and closer they came. The sun was rising, and the light reflected on the person’s hair and face. She had finally gotten a

good look.

The person was male, he was about 6’3, he had black hair and black eyes. His white skin stood out among his black hoodie and

joggers. He was stunning! The sun reflecting off of him made him more beautiful.

‘What a gorgeous human!’ she thought.

For a second, she thought he looked at her.

“Must be my imagination,” she laughed and shook the thought away.

He then pulled the hood over his head and passed her.

After he passed, she started looking around her house for Night.

After about 6 minutes, she got tired and was about to go back inside when the mysterious guy came back.

He was still running.

She stared at him, wondering who this mysterious person was.

‘I wonder if he runs every day..’

***

Once I left the apartment, I started running on my route.

There’s only one reason why I chose that route. It’s so I can check up on Melody’s house. I also wanted to get some payback at her

because she’s too attached to her phone and boyfriend.

It didn’t take long. Maybe about 9 minutes. As I was running, the sun started rising.

On the road passing by the house, I saw a person standing in the yard.

‘Ah shit, It’s her!’

Melody was standing at the edge of her driveway, staring at me. I caught a quick glance before pulling my hood over my head and

continuing to run.

Once I completed the two miles, I turned around immediately and ran back.

When I was running back, she was still there, looking for something. My hood was over my head now, so my hair and eyes were

covered. When I passed, she just stared at me. It made me uncomfortable.

When I returned to the apartment, I woke up Sarah and Santana.

They both got ready for school and left. Santana told me he’d ask for an enrollment form.

6 hours later, when they returned, Santana gave me the form. I filled out the information.

First Name: Helix

Last Name: Prince

Age: 18

Grade: 12

SAT: N/A

ACT: N/A

State: Florida

City: XXXXXXX XXXXX

Home Phone: XXX XXX XXXX

Home Address: XXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXX Apartment: XXX

Social Security Number (SSN): XXX XX XXX

Etc.

I handed it back to Santana and he put it in his bag.

I had set my last name to their last names. Seems more believable if they think I’m their sibling because I live with them.

I looked at Santana.

“Get changed. We’ll start today.”

“Alright.”

When he finished changing, we went to the outside of the apartment building.

“I’ll walk you through the route I run. Think of this as your goal.”

“Yes coach!”

I couldn’t be bothered to correct his way of addressing me, so I started walking my route.

We walked and walked through the streets and on the road. We eventually reached Melody’s house. I was still wearing the same

outfit I was this morning, and Santana was in his workout clothes.

I glanced at Melody’s house as we passed by it. We then walked two more miles past the house. When we reached the halfway

point, I turned around and looked at Santana.

“Now that we’ve walked, we’re going to do a short run. Are you good at running?”

“I’m a pretty good runner in my opinion.”

“Alright. We’re going to do the route I take.”

“Got it.”

“Alright then. Santana, don’t fall behind. We’ll go until you can’t go any more. I’ll carry you back when you’ve reached your

limit.”

“Pfft! I’ll make it. You won’t need to worry about me.”

I grunt in acknowledgement.

“Let’s go.”

“Now you know the way, I’m sure you’ve got no problem running without me guiding you.”

He shakes his head.

“Alright, then follow me.”

I start at a very slow jog. About 5 mph. He’s jogging at my speed as well.

We’ve reached one mile so far and I hear him panting. I keep a consistent speed, and look behind me. Santana’s much further than

he was when we started off. I then slow down to 2mph to let him catch up.

As we near the 2 mile point, Melody is outside of her house with flyers in her arms and a staple gun.

Each few meters, Santana nears his limit.

He’s already reached his limit, but he keeps going. It’s quite amusing.

We finally reach the 2 mile point and Santana collapses. I don’t know if he had a distance meter or what, but it was exactly 2 miles

that he collapsed. And exactly 2 miles is right in front of Melody’s house.

Melody just happened to be heading out when Santana fell, so she saw it all.

I stopped and looked at him.

I crouched down in front of him.

“Are you at your limit?”

I knew he well past his limit. I just wanted to hear his answer.

“No.”

He tried to get back up, but fell down again.

Melody was coming towards us, so she was within earshot of our conversation.

“Idiot. Yes you are. I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”

Santana was about 5’11, and skinny, so he wasn’t hard to carry.

I pulled Santana on my back and stood up.

Melody approached and I turned around.

She was so small. I looked down at her, and she looked up at me.

“Hello, can you help me?”

“Hm? Sure.”

“Can you look out for this cat? His name is Night and he is missing.”

“Missing?”

“Yes, he disappeared a couple days ago.”

“Alright. I’ll keep a look out for him.”

“Thank you!”

“Mhm.”

After the short conversation, I adjusted Santana and took off back towards the apartment.

At the apartment, I opened the door and set Santana on his bed.

I knew he had woken up the moment the familiar scent of his home reached his nostrils.

“Good job. We’ll continue this until you can run my route without fainting.”