Scorpio

Chapter XI

When you wake up feeling wholly unwell, wearing a shirt that doesn't belong to you, in a room you don't recognize, the first thing you think is to hightail it out of there.

As soon as you can get up, that is.

I lay still for another twenty minutes or so—who knows, it may have been longer or shorter because time plays funny tricks on your brain when you're trying to shove an incessant head-hammer away and steady yourself so the perpetual motion of an out-of-control spinning teacup ride finally stops—I lay still and, with effort, pushed myself up to seated. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment to block out the nausea-inducing swirl of harsh sunlight and disorienting vertigo. After a few deep breaths and a dip into the deepest recesses of my self-will, I snapped my eyes open and climbed out of bed.

My old Mary Janes were by the door, thoughtfully arranged with the toes pointing out so I didn't need to spin around and exacerbate the malaise. I slipped my feet inside and pulled the door open.

I realized I was in an apartment because right outside the bedroom door was a living room and kitchen, also decorated with that same minimalist, black-and-white aesthetic. There were no couches or T.V.'s, just an austere, square table set with two hard chairs and a marble-printed rug underneath. Another person in a black T-shirt was sprawled across the table, back to me and head tilted to the side, resting on arms folded over the ebony wood.

I was in someone else's apartment?

And I didn't remember what had happened the night before?

My forehead throbbed, and panic began mingling with the urge to throw up. I tiptoed towards the door on the other end of the living room. I had to get out of there before this person woke up and——

The person startled at my footsteps and spun around to face me. "Ari?"

I froze and met xyr low-burning, ice-blue eyes. At least it was reassuring to know that I wasn't in a complete stranger's house.

"You're finally awake," Xanexa said, getting up. I noticed xe wasn't wearing gloves for a change. "Are you feeling better?"

I caught on to a particular word. "Finally?" I repeated. "What time is it?"

Xe looked outside the windows. "After two."

After two? The panic intensified.

"Why was I out until now?"

Xe turned back around. "It's a long story, but I'll tell you if you want to hear."

"Where am I?"

"One of my temporary homes."

"You have multiple apartments?" I asked incredulously.

"I need to keep moving around," xe explained. Upon seeing my even more confused expression, xe added with a sigh, "Another long story."

Xe laid both hands on my tense shoulders. "Come, sit down. You're not well enough to go running around the city right now."

That was when I saw the web of raised scars crisscrossing xyr arms. I trembled not from the frostbitten heat radiating down my shoulders and into my body, but out of terror for what might be happening. The marks extended from xyr wrists all the way up xyr arms and disappeared into the T-shirt sleeves. Xyr hands were smooth, though, the fingers lean and graceful like those of a pianist.

Xe followed my aghast gaze and quickly lowered xyr arms. "Everything has an explanation," xe said with acerbity, "but most of them are rather unpleasant."

Xe pivoted and walked to the table. I hugged my arms around my stomach and shuffled to follow xyr. Xe took the chair xe had occupied before I had snuck into the room, the one facing the window. I sat down opposite.