In The Dark

Chapter 9

Ren

I awoke when I felt the sunlight stream through the curtains and hit my face. I stretched and rolled over to find the bed empty. I sat up and wondered where I was. I didn't remember Zach ever having posters of Korean boy bands on his wall. Not unless I never noticed.

The door to the room creaked open. "Afternoon, sleeping beauty. Ready for our afternoon run?" Ryder asked.

I realized that I was back at my house. I looked around and blinked the sleep out of my eyes. What did I look like wanting to run after just waking up?

"I'll give you time to wake up. I want to be on the trail in an hour," He said and closed the door.

What was his problem? The last time we did an afternoon run--Too far back to remember. I stopped after high school, because I was working with appa. Plus, I was just getting ready to go to college that year. Why did he want to start again now?

I finally got up from the bed and went to relieve myself and take a quick shower. After I finished, I rummaged through my closet. Some of my clothing was arranged differently. I didn't know if it was just me or it really was arranged differently. I ignored this and just went to check on my phone.

I made sure it had been charged and pulled it off the charger. I couldn't seem to remember what had happened the night before. I remembered going to the fair with Dominick and Kais, but that was it. Nothing else came to mind.

The clock showed that I had less than twenty-five minutes to get ready and have a protein shake. I settled on a pair of black and red bicycle shorts and a red crop top. My new running shoes were surprisingly under my bed. I don't remember putting them there. I shook away that thought, took my phone, and hightailed it to the kitchen.

I immediately went to the fridge and found it packed full of fruits, vegetables, meats, and even Soju. I don't remember placing an order lately. Ryder was probably planning to cook tonight. I couldn't wait. He always made dinner a surprise.

"Ren, I was thinking we could go by the agency, shopping, then for a run," Ryder said. "Don't you have to go back to school for your tests next week?"

"Ew. Unfortunately," I muttered and closed the fridge. "I can't believe I actually have to go. I should just pay them to let me pass."

"You can do almost anything with money, but I'd advise you to take those tests yourself."

I agreed and we went to his car. I'd just pick something to eat at the store. He locked the front door and made sure the alarm system was working. I checked my phone for any missed calls. On days like today, I would more than likely have missed calls and texts from a lot of people. I wasn't prepared for the large amount of worry my eomma expressed.

6:17 AM 💜Eomma💜: tal, what are you doing now? Are you up?

6:20 AM 💜Eomma💜: Ren, I need you to text me right now!!!

7:01 AM 💜Eomma💜: I'm worried. Your appa and brother are worried

I scrolled to her most recent messages.

11:36 AM 💜Eomma💜: 😭😭😭😭

12:13 PM 💜Eomma💜: We're coming to to see you if you don't text me back
right now. I mean it Ren Chapelle😈

I smiled. Eomma had always been the type of woman to exaggerate. She had to know something to be texting me like this. I wonder what happened last night.

12:30 PM Me: Im fine eomma. Ry and I r just bout to go for a run

Her reply was almost immediate.