Page 21 of Tinsel Time Treasure
“I’m sorry,” I said when I saw him trembling.
“It’s…”
A flash of color from outside interrupted him. He moved the blinds aside again, then jumped up. “They’re here.”
“Go.”
“Thank you,” he called as he ran outside.
I smiled. He was scared, but was still fighting back.
I wheeled my bike in front of the window, where it usually sat. But as I moved the chair I recalled that Justin hadn’t been wearing a jacket, and the temperature outside would drop quickly since the sun had set.
Was it my business? No. Was I going to let it go? Also, no.
I sighed and opened my hall closet. I pulled out a hoodie and draped it over my arm before walking back outside.
Justin stood beside one of the cop cars parked outside his apartment, talking to a uniformed officer. The cop standing next to the other car eyed me warily as I approached.
I paused, making it clear that I had no intention of interfering. I held up the hoodie, rubbed my arms to symbolize cold, then motioned to Justin.
He looked over, saw Justin and the other officer still in conversation, then turned back to me and shook his head.
I sighed and nodded. It was clear that I was to stay put, or, even better, return to my apartment.
There was no way the second was going to happen. I was involved until I was confident that Justin was safe.
I took a seat on the grass, cringing at the cold and slightly crunchy texture But I kept my eyes pinned on the conversation in front of me.
Justin rubbed his arms as he talked to the one officer, while the other cop kept looking between Justin’s apartment, his coworker, and me.
It was several minutes before the one talking to Justin motioned the other over. They spent a moment in discussion, then talked to the scared omega again.
The cop I’d had a nonverbal conversation with motioned to me, seeming to ask Justin whether or not I should be told to fuck off.
It was another bit of confirmation that something was wrong. Nosy neighbors had to be something the police were used to, but I was being regarded as a potential threat until Justin said otherwise.
This wasn’t just a potential break-in. It was a person he was scared of. Of that, I had no doubt.
The three ended their conversation with Justin handing over his keys. He pointed to me, and my apartment. A few more words were exchanged, then he walked over to me while the cops headed towards his front door.
I stood, brushed bits of dead grass from my ass and held out the hoodie. “I thought you might be cold.”
He gave me a weak smile, accepted it, and pulled it on. “Thank you.”
I nodded. “What now?”
He sighed. “They’re going to make sure it’s safe for me to go in.”
I swallowed. “Are… are you worried that somebody might be inside?”
There was a long pause before he nodded. “Kinda.”
I let the word sink in before I spoke again. “Why don’t you come inside with me. It’s warm. Plus I saw you already pointed out my apartment.”
“I don’t want to be a burden.”
“It’s not a burden to help a neighbor.”
