A Dangerous Connection – Chapter 5

I awake more rested than I have in a long time. The soft bed, clean sheets, and Tiago’s warm body next to mine worked wonders. I stretch and yawn, glancing over at Tiago. He’s still asleep, lips parted, dark lashes fanned over his cheeks. He looks so peaceful. I resist the urge to reach out and smooth the unruly lock of hair falling over his forehead.

Instead, I slide out from under the covers so as not to wake him or Stella. She’s curled into a tiny ball between us, wings tucked in. I tiptoe to the bathroom to wash up. When I emerge, Tiago is sitting up in bed, hair mussed, blinking sleepily.

“Hey,” he says, yawning.

“Hey yourself.” I sink into a smile. After baring my soul last night, I’m so much closer to him.

Tiago runs a hand through his disastrous bedhead. “I slept well, did you?” I nod. “Good.” He yawns again and stretches, his muscles lengthening across his chest. “I need coffee.” He throws the covers off his legs. “I’ll head down to the lobby and pay for another night. We should get more medical supplies for Stella too.”

“Really? Another night?” I bite my lip as I glance around. “I was hoping we could move on today.”

Tiago rubs his face awake and leans over to examine Stella. She purrs and chirps, lifting her wing for him. “Hmmm, I think she could use another day’s rest, and we can stay another day. But we should get her out for some fresh air later. There’s a park down the street, across from the shopping district. That might be a nice distraction, and it’s usually crowded. A good place to avoid Athens.”

He’s probably right. The poor thing was pretty injured when we got her.

I nod, burying my fingertips in Stella’s fur. “Okay. I’ll keep an eye on her.” She purrs as she looks up at me. Sweet girl.

After Tiago leaves, I settle next to Stella on the bed. Her bright eyes narrow to contented slits as I stroke her soft fur.

“How are you feeling today, little one?”

In response, she unfolds her wings and flaps them. They seem to be regaining strength. She trills and nuzzles against my hand. Oh. Relief floods through me, her happiness and mine mixed together. That’s such an odd sensation, like my feelings are all turned up to 200 percent.

“How do you do that?” I whisper to her. She blinks at me, and joy tickles at my brain. I laugh. Okay. Whatever your secrets are, you’re going to keep them to yourself.

I sigh as I stroke her back. We’ve only known each other for a short time, but I feel responsible for this little cat-bat now. I want to protect her and help her heal. There’s a connection between us, and I don’t want to let that go.

My thoughts drift to Tiago. I can’t explain our connection either, but it’s definitely there. Being with him is just… right. And last night was so sweet and comforting. I’ve never opened up that way with anyone before, not even my network.

A door slams somewhere below us, faint but audible. I glance towards the door to our room. This place has been so quiet. What was that about?

Footsteps pound, and noises erupt from the hallway outside the room — shouting, screaming, doors slamming. My heart leaps into my throat. An unruly couple fighting? Athens agents? The police?

I scoop Stella into my arms and creep to the door, pressing my ear against it. I make out a man’s voice demanding if the hotel cleaning staff have seen two fugitives — a man and woman with a strange creature.

My blood turns to ice. They found us. I clutch Stella to my chest, mind racing. What do I do?

We need to get out of here.

I set her down and slip on my shoes, pulling my hair into a short ponytail. I have to be ready to run.

The heavy footsteps grow louder as they check each room. Shit. They’re not far away now.

There’s a service stairwell at the end of the hall. If I can make it there unseen, I can get out.

I grab Stella, my wristlet, and Tiago’s bag. Fuck. I don’t want to leave without Tiago. Where is he?

I listen at the door, hoping to hear him. Can I even do this on my own? Can I run and take care of Stella without him? I’m not sure I can.

The footsteps are not far now. I take a deep breath and slip into the hallway, moving as swiftly and silently as I can.

Sneaking heel-toe, heel-toe, we reach the end of the hall, and I yank open the metal door to the utilitarian stairwell just as someone rounds the corner behind us. “There! Stop!” a man yells.

I don’t look back, taking the stairs two at a time. Stella clings to my shirt, letting out frightened peeps. “Shhh, shhh, it’s okay. We’re getting out of here,” I whisper.

At the bottom of the stairwell, I crack open the exit door and look both ways. The alley appears empty. I slip out, sprinting away from the hotel. My only thought, get somewhere safe. Followed by, find Tiago.

As I near the end of the alley, two men round the corner ahead of me. I dash right and double back the way I came, ducking behind a pile of trash cans.

Where do I go now? My heart hammers, its rhythm echoing in my ears.

Wait. Wait. I close my eyes and remember our conversation from this morning. What about the park Tiago mentioned across from the shopping district? That’s one of the last things he spoke of.

If I can get lost in the crowd there…

I sneak through alleys, listening for any sounds of pursuit. The streets bustle with people heading to work, but I don’t hear any pounding footsteps. Good.

Blending in isn’t easy with Stella, but I keep my head down and move with purpose.

After fifteen tense minutes, I reach the edge of the park across from the shopping district. People mill about, lined up at food carts and hurrying to the maglev station. I scan the crowd for Tiago, but I don’t see him. Fuck. I thought he’d be here…

With no way to contact him, my only choice is to wait here and hope he finds me. I buy an overpriced soy milk from a stand and find an empty bench tucked away from the main path, partially obscured by trees and bushes.

Stella peeks her head out from inside my shirt as I sit. Her nose twitches, sniffing the air.

“Here you go.” I pour a bit of soy milk into the cap for her, and she laps it up. At least one of us has an appetite. My stomach is too knotted with anxiety to consider eating.

I alternate between watching the park entrance and the path for any sign of Tiago. Where could he be? Did the agents get to him first?

After forty agonizing minutes, during which I consider running at least one hundred billion times, I finally spot him. Relief hits me in a dizzying wave. I’m on my feet and hurrying toward him before I can think.

Tiago’s face lights up when he sees me pushing through the crowd. He quickens his pace, meeting me halfway.

“Oh thank god,” he says, crashing into me and pulling me into a tight hug.

I cling to him, the solid strength of his body against mine soothing my frayed nerves. We stay locked together for a long moment. Should I pull away? No, not yet.

After a lengthy few minutes, I draw back. “The agents showed up at the hotel right after you left. We barely made it out.”

Tiago’s jaw tightens, eyes flashing. “I was paying our bill when I spotted them arriving. I slipped away, but I’ve been looking for you ever since.” His hands cup my face. “Are you okay?”

I nod, more sure of things now that he’s here. “We’re fine. Stella clung to me the entire time.” She meows up at him, and he smiles down at her as he brushes his thumb over my cheek.

With a sigh, he drops his hands and looks around at the park. Lined with palm trees and dotted with colorful flower beds, it’s a tranquil spot amidst the bustling city. The aroma of street food fills the air, attracting hungry passersby to the carts standing like sentinels along the path. The sound of chatter mixes with the occasional whirring of the nearby train tracks. Groups of friends gather on picnic blankets, sharing laughter and stories. People from all walks of life converge here, and so far, I don’t see any police or anyone walking with purpose, like they’re searching for something.

Tiago frowns. “It looks safe, but we need to keep moving. They must be closing in.”

“Yes. Let’s go.” Even though I want to stay, we’re too exposed here. I give him his bag, and we merge into the flow of pedestrians leaving the park. My stomach grumbles as we pass the food stalls, but I ignore it. Now is not the time.

We’ve only gone three blocks when I spot them — two men scanning the crowd behind sunglasses. They could be tourists, but something is off about them. I grab Tiago’s arm, my pulse skyrocketing again.

“I see them,” he murmurs. “Don’t look back. Just keep walking.”

We quicken our pace as much as we dare. We can’t be the only ones running through the streets, or that’ll give us away. At the next corner, Tiago steers us left down a smaller side street. We take another left, then a right, trying to lose anyone tailing us in the maze of city blocks.

After several more turns, we stop in an alley to catch our breath. No sounds of pursuit reach us. I lean against the wall, willing my racing heart to slow. Sweat drips down my temples.

Tiago peers around the corner. “I think we lost them for n—”

“There they are!” The shout cuts through the air. Three men barrel toward us from the opposite end of the alley.

Tiago grabs my hand and we run. My teeth shake and clack together, and adrenaline fuels my every move as we sprint through the narrow alley. Stella’s tiny body bounces against my chest, her frightened chirps urging us to go faster.

Behind us, I can hear the menacing thud of their heavy boots closing in, pushing us to our limits. Every muscle in my body screams in protest, but I can’t afford to slow down. We slip through the maze of obstacles, left and right, narrowly avoiding dumpsters and piles of trash in our path.

A quick glance over my shoulder reveals the agents gaining ground, their faces twisted with determination. I push forward, my survival instincts kicking into overdrive.

Tiago spots a fire escape ladder above us, and without hesitation, he leaps towards it, yanking it down with a metallic clang. The urgency in his eyes urges me onward as I scramble up the ladder, my muscles burning with exertion. Stella clings to me, her tiny claws digging into my shirt.

“Hold on,” I tell her as I jump up two steps at a time.

We reach the rooftop, and I stop to catch my breath.

“I’m not… good at… exercise,” I pant out between heaving breaths.

“We have to go.” Tiago gestures for us to keep moving, his eyes scanning our surroundings for any signs of pursuit.

My legs don’t want to move, but we sprint across the flat roof. The wind whips through my hair, and the sun beats down on us, the fear of capture urging us forward. Looking back, I’m relieved to see the agents have fallen behind, their figures disappearing into the distance.

“I think we can lose them now.” A surge of triumph rushes through me, mingling with the lingering fear.

Tiago’s grin is contagious, a mix of relief and exhilaration.

Our eyes meet, and in that instant, a silent understanding passes between us. We make a formidable team capable of overcoming any obstacle.

He… He likes me. He respects me. Huh.

I think I may be a little in love.

Sigh. Stop that, Sora. This is not the time.

We continue our escape route via rooftops, moving to avoid detection from below. The city sprawls out before us, stretching on and on to the horizon.

But we can’t go very far. This district is blending into the high rises of the next district, and the roofs are about to run out.

“Let’s move down,” Tiago says, pointing to a nearby fire ladder.

We descend from the rooftops and blend into the crowd of pedestrians, becoming just another face in the bustling city.

Tiago grins at me. “Told you we’d lose them.”

I return his smile and take his hand. He squeezes my fingers and pulls me to his side. Thank the heavens we lost them again.

“There’s a market is up ahead,” Tiago says, jerking his chin at the crowd heading into the Marechal Floriano market. The crowded stalls and lanes will make it easy to disappear if our pursuers return. I squeeze his hand instead of responding. “Let’s get lost in there.”

Yes. Please just take me away from this place.

Inside the covered arcade, vendors hawk their wares as we pass — fragrant fruits, sizzling meats, bolts of colorful fabrics. My empty stomach rumbles, reminding me I’ve eaten nothing but soy milk all day. We pause at a bakery stand, the sweet aroma knocking me backwards. Yes. I must have some!

Tiago buys us each a pastry filled with guava jam. It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted.

While we eat, Tiago calls his friend Rafael, who runs an art gallery in the area. After a hushed conversation, Tiago ends the call, looking relieved.

“Rafael said we can hide out at his place. He doesn’t live far.”

“Thank god.” I brush the pastry crumbs from my hands. Somewhere safe we can rest, if only for a little while. I’ll take it. I need the rest. My body is protesting after all that running.

Just a few more moments, and we’ll be in the clear.

We’re passing a fruit stand when, oof, I collide with a tall, muscular man examining mangoes.

“Sorry, excuse me,” I mumble, moving to step around him.

But then he turns and looks at me, eyes widening. “Sora? Is that you?”

I freeze, heartbeat stuttering. No, it can’t be.

But I’d know that voice anywhere. That chiseled jawline accentuated by a faint stubble, adding a touch of ruggedness to his appearance. His honey-brown eyes, framed by dark lashes, hold a mixture of surprise and relief as they meet mine.

Oh no.

My throat tightens, but I can’t stop myself from reaching out to him.

“Adrian?”