Page 16 of Stolen

The first thingSynTanner noticed about Blossom’s home was that it was decorated thoughtfully. Her style was very modern but she had a flare of glam that wasn’t too obnoxious, but it was cute just as she was. When they entered the house, she didn’t pause to give him a tour. He watched as she looked around her own space as if she didn’t recognize it. Something had dimmed the light in her eyes, making her seem solemn. SynTanner could only watch her, not wanting to intrude on her thought process. Even if he wanted to comfort her, he knew that she would have to face some part of her reality alone. She had to find her strength.

After a few moments of just looking around her home, Blossom finally snapped out of whatever thought was consuming her. Her body finally jumped into action. Leaving him in her living room, she went to the back of her house where he assumed her bedroom would be. SynTanner didn’t know how many things she’d grabbed, but after five minutes she reappeared back in the living room carrying a duffel bag. She had changed out of the red dress into a pair of black leggings and loose-fitting white t-shirt that was cut across the collar to fashionably hang off her right shoulder.

“Five minutes to pack and change,” SynTanner said.

“Well, I kinda just wanna get out of here,” she mumbled.

“Despite what he did to you Blossom, this is still your home. I thought you would miss it.”

“I do miss it. I just can’t enjoy it until I know for sure that my home will keep me safe. Not to mention, I’m going to have to redecorate this entire place.” Shaking her head, Blossom pulled through her purse, checking its contents.

“Good. I have my backup debit card, and I can keep my spare keys instead of leaving it under my potted plant. I’m ready to go,” she declared.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

In separate modes of transportation, they traveled the fifteen minutes to the hotel. It was one of the most popular hotels in Grayson, but it was also the most secure, and sophisticated. It was late but the hotel lobby was still bustling with patrons, the weekend making businesses vibrant.

Blossom was following behind the officers, but the moment she stepped across the threshold and saw how many people were in the grand lobby, she paused and tried to back up. She backed up into SynTanner’s chest.

“Whoa, whoa. Where are you going?” SynTanner asked her. She turned around and pressed her face into his chest, clutching at his arms.

“Blossom?” he questioned.

“What if—what if someone here knows Chance, and sees me here and tells him that I’m here?” SynTanner wrapped his arms around her.

“Keep your head against my chest. I got you honey,” he said. Blossom did what he said, keeping her face hidden in his chest. Once he began walking, she just moved her feet along with him. Their bodies moved with such synch that Blossom didn’t even have to worry about not seeing where she was going. Because his arm was wrapped around her, she trusted that he wouldn’t make her fall or trip over her own feet. Her thoughts from earlier began to provide some clarity to her. Partly in his arms like this allowed her to feel somewhat that his embrace was solid, strong, and warm. She didn’t want to leave his arms. Ever.

While the officers saw about the room, SynTanner held Blossom off in a corner, keeping her away from the bustling lobby. With one arm she was wrapped in his embrace and with the other arm, he was holding her duffel bag. It only took the officers a few minutes to get the room keys. Once they did, SynTanner was moving at a steady pace to get Blossom in the safety of the elevator. Once they were inside, she finally lifted her head from SynTanner’s chest but she didn’t move away from him, allowing him to continue holding her.

“We’ve seen these things plenty of times. The guy is probably going to give up now that you got away. Don’t worry about too much,” one of the officers tried to assure her. Blossom forced a smile at him before snuggling closer to SynTanner. She just wanted to get behind the closed door of the hotel room where she could actually relax.

The officers walked them to their designated room. Using the keycard, the officers opened the door first. Blossom was ready to enter the room, but SynTanner held her back. She was confused until she realized that the officers were scoping out the room first, learning the schematic of the inside in case they had to come back in for an emergency.

“Alright, you’re all set to go, Ms. Freeman.” They left the room, giving Blossom the space to enter. Blossom thanked them and entered the room. It was large enough to fit two queen beds, a couch, and a large bathroom.

“Call if anything.” Blossom heard SynTanner bid the officers a farewell for the night before the door closed. She turned around sharply, realizing she was yet again alone with deputy SynTanner. Blossom swallowed. Why was she nervous? She’d been alone with him in the conference room. No, this was different. They were in a bedroom.

“So—so you’ll be in the same room,” she stammered.

“I assume that’s the point of me accompanying you. But I can change rooms,” he replied easily.

“No! No! Stay!” she urged.

“It’s okay to relax now Blossom. There’s two beds, we don’t have to sleep together,” he chuckled.

“I’m sorry, deputy SynTanner, I guess I’m more nervous than I thought.”

“I said you don’t have to call me deputy SynTanner,” he grunted.

“Well, I decided I don’t wanna just say SynTanner. And, everyone else calls you SynTanner.”

“So, whatcha wanna call me Blossom?” Blossom kicked off her shoes and flopped on the bed.

“I don’t know, maybe Tanner?” she asked. SynTanner looked at her sharply. She thought he was going to reprimand her for chopping his name in half but instead, he just began to chuckle.

“What? What’s funny?!” she exclaimed. He laughed and shook his head.

“Nothing Blossom. If you wanna call me Tanner, you can,” he shrugged.

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