"What are you doing here?", he asked contorting eyebrows. "Boys", I thanked him and entered the car. Dustin was with Abby when I urged her to get inside the car. Connor and his friends entered the car driving before us. 

My knees were throbbing and I side parked my car when I knew I couldn't drive anymore. Abby looked at me perplexed, "What happened?". I held on to my knees praying the pain to vanish for a little while until I escape this dark night, defenseless. 

"I'll drive", Abby said.

"You are bleeding. Just give a minute or two", that went to fifteen minutes. The house was about ten minutes from here and the area was too secluded for my comfort. The knock on the window made my blood run cold. The terror was evident in Abby's eyes, unlike the two sitting in the back seat without a bother. 

Relief spread when the devil  looked through the window. What was his name again?  . I rolled down the window through my shivering hands. No, 'what happened?' or 'what are you doing here?' was the one he asked. He just ordered to get down. His tone or his attitude made my ego hurt.

I was unyielding, challenging him with my eyes. He grew more annoyed. He was a savior but I was being indifferent. My pretense broke when accidently hit my knee against the dash. "I said Get. Out". Dustin opened the door of the passenger's seat, looking at Abby's cut and asked her if she was okay. Abby blushed red, nodding to everything he said, completely switching off her voluble side.

Devil pulled me out of the car holding my hand. "It isn't safe here", he said in a soft tone. "I know, I just wanted a minute", I held on to my knees. He looked at my gash, put my hands over his shoulder and settled me in his Audi. The car was warm comparing the coldness outside. 

I was looking through the window, Dustin entered the car while Devil entered the one I was sitting. The ride was silent, I didn't turn to see him or either was he. A sense of calm came over when the car pulled into the compound. He parked the car next to Lucas's, Dustin was single handedly taking the boys to the elevator. I was sitting inside the car with him, not knowing how to end this awkwardness. You say 'thank you' when people help you. My mom's voice repeating in my head.

"Thanks for the ride", I surprised myself speaking out my thought. No reply, he was looking front not turning towards me. It was my cue, I opened the door successfully. Ten steps was all it took when life decided to embarrass as I landed on my knees again. The pain shot through my body. I was barely holding my tears. 

"Just hold till I enter the house. Please", I was very much supplicating my knees to carry me. I was lifted by someone. He was passive, we limped to elevator. Still passive. I took my hand from his shoulders only to tighten his around. Numbers were slow on the dial, as soon as the screen hit eight the doors pinged. Abby, Dustin, unfortunately Connor was in the hallway. 

I limped with his help and he set me on the couch. Dustin was with the first aid box, dusting and cleaning Abby's gash. I didn't want to remove my jeans to see inside. "Are you okay?", Connor solicited with concern. I nodded at him with a smile but a dark figure was looking at me intently from the corner.

I was right when I said my knee took a harsh blow. My knees were scraped, purple patches and incredible pain. I gently cleaned the wound, applied the medicine and took the pain killers. I was out when the medicine kicked in.

My body was sore the next morning. I carried myself supporting along the way. Loose pants was it today. Abby seemed okay and boys were knocked down. Lesson learnt, never go out to drink with the twins. Classes went by without much movement and painkiller was my reinforcement. Today was the first day we started working at the cafe. Chadd dropped me off at the library while Abby took Lucas's car home.

"What happened?", Ralph asked concern etched in his voice. The voice strange to me. "Just fell", I limped into the entrance. He held my hand and gave me a seat next to him in the desk. "You shouldn't move around like this ". He cut me off before I could open my mouth. "I can see it's painful", the face of grimace was it. He gave me a cup of coffee and sat with me until my shift.

The devil walked out stopping in the middle, looking between my leg and me. He composed himself wiping the shock,  "See you later, Ralph". He gave a last look before turning and left. "Regular?", I asked Ralph getting up from my seat. He laughed. Ralph laughed for the first time, looking at the entrance, where Devil  just left.

"He's been working here for more than a year", Ralph said with adoration. I was flabbergasted. He worked here, just a shift before mine and I thought seeing him here was weird let alone working her for a year.  

The cafe wasn't crowded but busy. Linda, sweet manager- petite stature, chocolate skin, raven black hair, brown eyes- listed all the work to be done. "Never gonna drink again", Lucas grunted when Linda dismissed us. "That's what you said last time", I said and went out serve the orders.

People started to flow in and out of the cafe, without a pause. I kind of liked the intersperse between the library down the street and cafe. Luke grunted the whole time going home. It was my time to babysit Luke and babysitting Luke was tiring. He helped me get in the elevator and left to the gym. Never gonna ask what he did there at this hour. Nope.

Ten minutes of solitude, door bell rang and a very drunk Devil was standing there. First time,  I saw him put a lazy smile. His eyes were withering neither was his foot. He was clinging to the doorjamb for his dear life. "It isn't your house. Go and disturb the next one", his face contorted followed by a pout. I could've laughed. "I don't like that, Precious"

He pushed past me into the living room. Nope, he was stubborn as stone in river. Repeating the same thing all over again, 'I don't like it there'.