Chapter Nine (Rex)

"No!"

Tristian lunged forward, but I caught him around the waist before he could go sprinting toward the building as cop cars arrived to hold people back. Flames licked from the windows, tossing out curtains as another explosion went off near the first floor. Tristian writhed and fought against my grip.

"Nooo! My parents!" His voice had risen to a scream of panic, my heart throbbing in my chest as I managed to keep Tristian away from the road as another fire engine shot by and skidded to a halt.

"Tristian--"

"Noo! My parents! All their stuff!" Tristian wailed, tears streaking down his face as he gasped for breath, trying to rip away from me. I winced in pain, knowing that I couldn't let Tristian go in there. The fire was bigger now, spreading to the third floor, engulfing it in shrieking hellish flames that shot towards the dark sky like red paint.

"Sir, we need you both to step back." An officer ordered as he approached with a walkie in hand that was shouting orders. Tristian dug his nails into my hands, but I kept my grip on him, trying to pull him back.

"Y-You have to go in there," Tristian managed, his voice breaking as he gasped for breath, "My stuff! All their things!" The cop looked at him, confused as he tipped his hat back.

"Sir, everything from the first floor up is destroyed. I'm sorry." He added when he seemed to realize what was happening. I held onto Tristian tightly as he stared at the flames in agony, his salty tears running down his face as it seemed to sink in.

There was no way to retrieve his parents' things. Judging from the flames, the officer was right. Everything was gone.

"Tristian, come on." I urged gently. He didn't move for a while. He still seemed to be trying to process everything in his head before he choked on a sob and sank to his knees. I winced and went down with him, not touching him now as he sobbed. My heart ached and my temples throbbed as I watched Tristian cry, his nails digging into the cracks of the pavement, his shoulders trembling.

I looked up at the officer, who seemed just as heartbroken as he took a small step back.

"I'm sorry," He repeated gently, "Unfortunately, there is no way to get in the apartment now. We'll see what can be recovered once we put the fire out."

"Do they know how it started?" I demanded, glancing at Tristian, who was too busy crying his heart out to care about anything else. The officer gave me a grim expression, his hands on his hips.

"We're not sure just yet. We'll know after we send our investigators in. I think it's best that anyone who's lived in the apartment find a hotel tonight. The headquarters will personally pay for the stays." He added, seeming to hope it would help, but I shook my head.

"I'll take him with me." I answered. The officer nodded, pausing to look at Tristian a while longer in pain before glancing at me.

"Again, I'm very sorry." He said quietly. I nodded and let him get back to pushing the crowds back, announcing the situation. I risked touching Tristian's shoulder, but he didn't get angry or anything, just sniffled and coughed, his breath coming in hot clouds.

"Tristian?" I asked softly. Tristian didn't answer, just leaned back on his knees, sniffing as another wave of tears hit him and he choked on a sob.

"All their stuff w-was in my c-closet," He choked, pressing his fingertips to his forehead, "Everything. T-Their wedding rings, their clothes, our photos." He whimpered and covered his mouth, shrinking into himself. This time, I put my arms around him tightly and let him sink against me, sobbing and wailing. I cradled him close as he cried out this wave of tears before lapsing into a sniffling silence.

I managed to get him to his feet. I held his hand tightly, our fingers laced together as we walked the couple blocks back to the parking lot where my truck was parked. I thought about taking him back to Vic's with me, but I decided against it. Tristian needed to be alone and the best place for that was at my cottage just outside of town.

We climbed in the truck and Tristian sat in silence, staring out the windshield as if he were trying to process the night's events in his head before he squeezed his eyes shut, tears streaking down his face again. I forced myself to look away as I started the truck, heading out the back way to avoid the traffic the fire had caused.

I could still see the smoke in my rearview and prayed they stopped the fire sooner. They'd probably give everyone a call at the hotels they were staying at, and come in to see the damage. Part of me wondered if Tristian could even handle it.

We drove in silence along the highway until we reached the outskirts of the city where the countryside stretched out. I drove down a gravel road before reaching the long winding driveway to my cottage.

"Where are we going?" Tristian asked quietly after a while, sniffing and rubbing his hand against his nose.

"My cottage," I replied gently, "I figured it'd be more comfortable. Just watch out for the dog when you come in." Tristian said nothing, just nodded. We pulled into the driveway, revealing the cabin-like cottage before parking in the garage, heading up to the front door and I looked up to see a couple flakes of snow falling. Tristian was standing on the last step and looked up as the snow fell.

He looked small and fragile from this angle. His cheeks were stained with tears and his eyes and nose were red as he sniffed, wiping his eye with his knuckle before heading up the steps behind me. I opened the door, hearing whimpering from the other side. The door opened to reveal Coco, my Doberman.

He barked a couple times before lowering his head, giving it a cock as I let Tristian in behind me. Coco stood up and whimpered a little, nuzzling at Tristian's hand. Tristian looked mildly surprised for a moment as I took my boots off.

"I'll be right back." I promised. Tristian only nodded, getting on his hunches to pet Coco, who seemed to sense his pain and nuzzled his nose, coming up to him and cuddling. I walked just a few feet to the left to pick up the phone in the short hallway that led to the large kitchen with blue marbled countertops. I glanced out the corner of my eye to see Coco give Tristian a wet kiss on the face, making Tristian smile faintly before scratching Coco behind the ears.

I dialed Vic's number, holding the phone away from my mouth.

"If you want, you can shower. The shower's just up those few steps to the right. Uhm... The guest room is right next to mine, which is after the bathroom. You should be able to find it. It's the only room that's clean." I added, making Tristian look up and nod. He started up the few steps with Coco at his heels. I smiled unti a voice spoke over the phone.

"Hello?" Came Ace's tired voice. I frowned.

"Ace? Where's Vic?" I asked. Ace snorted, the sound of sheets shifting in the background.

"Right next to me, why?" He demanded in irritation. I waited a moment, pausing to hear the bathroom door shut before I stepped into the kitchen as far as the cord would reach.

"Tristian's apartment burned down." I stated.

"What?" Ace demanded, sounding alarmed as I heard Vic sleepily ask what was happening. I heard a couple thuds and a whisper, then Vic gasp before there was crackling.

"Rex," Vic spoke into the phone, "What's happening? What's going on? Is Tristian all right?" I sighed and explained everything from the date yesterday all the way up to the silent car ride to my cottage. It sounded like Vic was on the verge of tears just listening to me.

"Oh God," He managed, "Isn't there any way to retrieve his parents' things?"

"No," I sighed miserably, rubbing my temples, "The cop told us everything from the first floor to the second was completely destroyed. They don't know how it was caused yet and they're going to do an investigation once everything's cooled down. They're probably going to call everyone tomorrow on how things are doing. I don't know if he'd be able to handle going back there to see that it's all ash, Vic. I don't know what to do. I felt like I was watching someone die... He's in so much pain, Vic, and I want to do something, but I don't know what."

There was a short silence as I listened to the shower run and Coco come trotting in to sit at my feet, staring up at me big brown, sad eyes. I stroked his head and he nuzzled my thigh before the sound of the shower shutting off called to him and he ran off to greet Tristian again.

"Just be there for him, Rex," Vic spoke at last, "He needs to know that not everyone's gone. Take care of him and go with him tomorrow. Be gentle and, Rex, don't do anything stupid. Tristian's vulnerable."

"I would not take advantage of him now of all times, Vic."

"I know that, I didn't mean you. I meant Tristian. Go and comfort him. I'll meet you at the apartments tomorrow. We'll be there with him." Vic assured. I sighed.

"All right... Thanks, Vic."

"Sure. Good luck." We hung up and I went to grab Tristian some clothes when I saw him standing in the hallway in just a towel, looking uncomfortable, but too depressed to care. I went into my room, taking out a shirt and a pair of boxers. I came out and handed them to him. He took them hesitantly and surprised me by going into my room to change.

I looked at Coco, who looked up at me with a cocked head of curiosity before I went to grab a couple glasses of water. I came back to see Tristian sitting on the end of my four poster bed, pulling on a thread on the white and gray bed sheets. I shifted a little, holding the water out to him. He took it gingerly, gulping it all the way down before setting it on the nearby nightstand.

We were silent for a while as I let Coco out before letting him back in, locking all the doors. I came back and showered, dressing in a pair of snug black boxers. I came into the bedroom and looked at Tristian, who looked back at me.

Just the silence made him burst into tears again. I dropped my towel and sat on the bed beside him, taking him into my arms and cradling him close. He rested his head against my shoulder, trying to stifle his sobs with his hands, but to no avail. I said nothing, just held him until he cried himself to sleep.

It made me ache.

Tristian was in so much pain. I'd never seen someone so hurt and broken before. He must have been very close to his parents, and to have all their things burn up like that in one swift moment. I let Tristian sleep in my bed as I gave Coco water before getting into bed. I hesitated, wondering if maybe I should just sleep in the guest room when I felt Tristian tug on my arm. I looked down to see the moonlight peer past the curtains and fell on his tear-stained face.

"Please don't leave me too." He managed. I melted and fell on the bed beside him, pulling the blankets over us tightly. Tristian rolled over to face me, letting me drape my arm over him and hold him close. He cried a little more before falling back to sleep. I held him tightly as he slept and found it hard to sleep myself.

How could that fire have started so spontaneously? Did Tristian leave something on? Was it the roast? Or maybe it was faulty wiring. It might've been another apartment room as well. Someone probably left the stove on or plugged something in wrong or... or something...

My mind drifted into the possibility when it came to one that made my blood turn to ice as I looked down at Tristian, who slept peacefully in my arms. I looked back up at the window, then at Coco, who had leapt onto the bed at our feet, watching us sleep with a curious stare.

No. Impossible. It couldn't have been... No one is that cruel.

I kept trying to tell myself that, but somewhere deep inside, I knew...

I woke up the next morning to Coco licking my hand, whining to go outside. I glanced at Tristian, who was on his back, one arm tossed over his head and the other resting on his chest. His eyes were puffy from crying, the bruise still pronounced on his cheek. I grimaced and heaved myself out of bed, letting Coco out and making a big pot of coffee. I whipped up some eggs and toast with some cinnamon rolls before showering and changing into a pair of sweats and a tank top.

I sat at the table and waited for Tristian to wake up. It was around noon when he finally got up and showered. I left his clothes out after washing them. I sat at the dining room table with all the windows around me revealing the ice storm from last night. Everything was covered in a layer of white frost as Coco pranced around in it, barking and rolling around before I went to let him in.

When I came back to the kitchen, Tristian was standing in the kitchen, staring at the food on the stove as if he were trying to figure out what to do with it.

"Would you like a plate?" I asked. Tristian just nodded and took a place at the table as I got him a plate and a warm mug of coffee. I watched Tristian pour endless amounts of sugar into it before taking little sips at a time as Coco licked his pantleg, smiling up at him. Tristian tried to smile, but gave up and just settled for petting Coco on the head.

"So," I said at last, keeping my voice calm and steady, "I think we should go back today. The cops might find something." Tristian looked up at me for a while, then looked away.

"Yea... Yea, I guess so."

"Tristian, I just want to put this out there for you. I know money's tight and you have college to pay for... If you want, you can stay here until you find somewhere else." I offered. Tristian looked mildly surprised by the offer, then nodded slowly.

"Yea. That sounds okay."

"Great," I sighed in relief, "Well, I'll go change and get the truck heated up." Tristian said nothing and I took that as my cue as I left to change into a pair of black jeans and a matching v-neck sweater with a gray turtleneck undereath. I tugged a leather jacket on and reached into my closet for one for Tristian, coming back just as he finished what seemed to be his third plate of food. I handed him the jacket before heading out to the truck to warm it up.

We waited for a few more minutes before getting in. I left Coco with water and food, watching as he sat in the living room window, his tail wagging and his ears perked. I think he knew Tristian would be coming back with me.

We drove in silence, no talking or radio, as we came into the city. I glanced at Tristian, who was utterly stoic the whole way. I didn't know how much longer he could keep that up, so I prepared myself as we pulled onto his street. The apartment building was virtually gone. Half of it had collapsed into itself, most of the building badly burned inside and out as it slumped on its side. The building next to it seemed to have caught some of the damage as well, but only so that part of someone's room in the next apartment building was destroyed.

We parked in the parking lot where other attendees stood around, sobbing and gazing upon the horror of what used to be their homes. Little children whimpered and clung to their parents as officers questioned them. I stood close to Tristian as the officer from last night approached us, wearing a thick jacket and holding a notepad.

He did the usual routine check, asking about all the things in his apartment. Tristian stumbled a few times as if he didn't want to think about it, but forced himself to continue. The officer nodded.

"All right... And, like I said last night, I'm sorry, but your entire floor collapsed. There's nothing that can be recovered." He sighed. Tristian just nodded numbly. I took his hand in mine, giving it a squeeze. Tristian glanced at me, then at the cop, who seemed a little embarrassed before continuing.

"Do you remember leaving any electronics on? Your stove? Any other appliances? Maybe ones with faulty wires?" He asked. Tristian shook his head slowly, then more confidently as the officer wrote it down before pausing, glancing up.

"May I have your name again?"

"Tristian Michaels."

"Michaels," He recalled curiously, "Didn't you call in the other day about a stalker situation?" Tristian blinked, looking caught off guard.

"Well, yea... I don't see what that has to do with anything." He answered, still looking confused. I thanked the Lord he was a little slow and glanced at the officer, who frowned and scribbled something down.

"Could you describe the man to us?" He asked. Tristian stared at him, then it seemed to hit him what the officer was after. His eyes widened and he let go of my hand, his body tensing.

"He didn't do it, did he?" He managed. The officer grimaced, scanning the crowd of people before looking back at Tristian seriously.

"We're not sure, but it's good to get as much information on the situation as possible. If you had someone who would harm you, we must know." He requested calmly, but firmly. Tristian looked at me quickly, as if he couldn't believe it.

Surely Anthony couldn't do anything like this. The man was psychotic at times, but he was not a murderer. The only reason he was violent was because he drank too much. A violent drunk, not a murderer. At least, that's what seemed to be going on in Tristian's head as he looked at me before looking away to give the cop anymore information.

It took about half an hour for us to talk to the cop before he requested we stay put. We obeyed as he moved onto surveying the other attendents. Tristian and I found a nearby bench and waited quietly, our hands linked together again.

Tristian just rested his head against my shoulder, staring at where his apartment building used to sit before he sat up and looked at me, his hand squeezing mine tightly.

"Anthony couldn't have done it," He said at last, making me look at him sadly, "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" I frowned.

"Tristian, we're not saying Anthony did it for sure, but... You remember what he did to Vic. What if he's finally just snapped?" I asked. Tristian shook his head quickly and let go of my hand to gesture with his own, as if that made his argument more valid.

"No, because Anthony didn't show up at all yesterday. He wasn't outside my apartment or anything. How could he do it if he wasn't around?" He questioned. I didn't want to say that maybe Anthony had been planning the whole thing and didn't have time to visit him before hand, or maybe he assumed we were spending the day together. Tristian looked impatient as he waited for a response until, much to my relief, we heard Vic call our names.

We stood up as Vic and Ace came up to us. Vic was wearing one of Ace's coats, I could tell by the way it hung on him as his body was far slimmer than Ace's hulking frame.

"How're you doing?" Vic asked Tristian, who gave them a very forced smile, his hands in the pockets of his jacket.

"Uhm, okay, I guess." He answered carefully. Vic sighed and gave him a reassuring smile.

"I'm just glad you're all right. I don't know what I'd do without my taste tester." He added brightly, making Tristian smile for real this time. I relaxed, then looked up at Ace, who didn't bother with formalities and just gave Tristian a big bear hug. Tristian looked relieved by it and returned the hug before stepping back. This time, I openly took Tristian's hand in mine.

Ace shot me a look, but I ignored it as Vic glanced at our hands knowingly before looking toward the apartment with a grimace.

"Jeez... Do the cops know what started the fire yet?" He asked, looking at us and pretending not to notice that I had pretty much made our relationship public. Tristian didn't seem to mind and just squeezed my hand tighter as he shook his head.

"No... But..." His voice trailed as he glanced away, nibbling his lower lip. I frowned.

"The cops think it was arson." I informed calmly, ignoring Tristian tugging a little at my hand. Ace's eyes widened, but he said nothing as he tensed up with a shiver as a gust of winter wind blew in. Vic's jaw dropped before he looked at Tristian.

"Arson? Who'd burn down an apartment building?" He asked in disbelief. I grimaced.

"The cops think--"

"Everyone thinks it was Anthony," Tristian cut me off, making me frown at him as Vic's expression grew still and Ace's eyes snapped fire, "They keep saying he did it because he was stalking me, but he wouldn't do that. Anthony isn't that evil. Okay, so yea, he's sort of a violent rapist stalker freak, but he's not a violent rapist stalker freak that sets places on fire! Besides, I haven't seen Anthony for a whole day. He's not even around."

"He's probably already in Mexico by now." Ace muttered dryly, making Tristian look at him defiantly.

"I don't think he did it." He insisted, then looked at Vic for help. Vic nibbled his lower lip for a moment, studying Tristian's face before looking at us.

"Tristian's right. I really don't think Anthony did it. It's not his style anyway. Besides, Anthony's motto isn't if I can't have you, nobody can. It's more like I'll have you whether you like it or not." He added with a shrug, earning a sigh of relief and a nod from Tristian.

Ace and I shared doubtful looks before the cops arrived to tell us the full damage report. He informed us that pretty much everything was ruined. Furniture, silverware, electronics, clothes, and trinkets. I glanced at Tristian uneasily, giving his hand a squeeze. Tristian didn't cry this time, just looked at his feet and came closer to me like he was afraid to be standing out in the open.

Vic and Ace stayed silent as the cops went around with a box that contained the handful of things that were recovered.

"I want breakfast." Tristian said after a while, scanning up and down the block. I frowned.

"Don't you want to check the box? Something--"

"No." Tristian cut me off sharply, then paused when I raised an eyebrow at him. He blushed and looked at me apologetically. Vic and Ace shared looks before looking at me as I sighed.

"I suppose we could go to the grille. I love their biscuits." I added with a shrug. Tristian looked relieved and nodded as we started to head toward our vehicles when the police offier from before ran up to us with the box in hands.

"Excuse me," He called, his breath coming out in large clouds as he paused to pant in front of us, "There's a couple things in here that did survive the fire and no one has claimed yet. I'm assuming they're yours?" He looked hopeful and Tristian looked just doubtful, but pulled the box into his lap anyway and froze.

I leaned over his shoulder to see what was in the box. Half a photograph lay there, burnt at the edges with a couple white burns near the center, but it didn't ruin the image of a gorgeous dark-haired woman and her husband leaning on a kitchen table with a cake in the middle that read "Happy Anniversary". Beside the photo was a small metal box that was charred and burnt, but whatever was inside seemed safe.

Tristian reached inside with shaky fingers and picked up the box, opening it up and immediately hiding his mouth behind his hand. Even so, I heard the stifled sob as the box opened to reveal a pair of untouched wedding rings.

"Thank you so much," I said to the officer, who smiled in relief, "You have no idea how much this means to him."

"Of course," The officer answered, looking pleased with himself as Tristian wiped vigorously at his tears, shutting the little metal box and taking the photograph out with it, "It was my pleasure. I'm glad you were able to salvage at least a couple things." Tristian only nodded and handed the cardboard box back as he sat comfortably in the passenger seat of the truck. I looked up to see Vic and Ace standing at their vehicle, looking at us curiously.

I gave them an okay sign and they nodded before getting in their car. I got in the driver's seat, looking at Tristian, who was wiping his nose on his sleeve, holding the box tightly in his hand and the photograph in his lap.

"Your parents?" I asked, even though I knew the answer. Tristian nodded quickly, using his thumb to wipe away a layer of tears that hadn't fallen yet.

"Y-Yea. It was their twentieth anniversary and I took a picture with the camera I got for my birthday."

"They're a beautiful couple."

"Thank you..." Tristian was quiet as he studied the photograph, stroking his thumb over it for a while before gently tucking it into his pocket before opening the box with their rings in it as I drove a couple blocks down behind Ace and Vic to the grille. He took out the wedding bands.

Silver with a half loop that ended with a diamond. He put them together and I smiled as the loops formed a heart. Tristian studied them for a while, then looked up at me.

"You remember when you asked me if I believed in love at first sight?"

"Yea?"

"I lied," Tristian said slowly as I pulled into a parking spot, stopping to look at him curiously, "My parents didn't know each other too long and all that. They just knew the moment they saw each other and they were together until their deaths." I didn't know what to say as I watched Tristian study the rings before looking up at me, making me cock my head.

"And I don't wanna act like a dumb teenager," He went on, "You know, making on the spur of the moment decisions or asking you to marry me two days in, even though apparently that's illegal now, but... You know... Until you fall out of love with me..." He held one of the rings out to me, making my eyes widen.

"Tristian--"

"Don't get weepy or think beause of this, you're forced to live with me forever. If you get tired of me, you can give it back. Until then, I want you to have this." Tristian answered, taking my hand and putting the ring in it. For a second, I didn't know what to do. The metal was cold in the palm of my hand. I looked up at Tristian as he slid the other ring onto his finger, studying it.

"I always made jewelry look bad." He commented with a sigh. I laughed and slid the ring on my finger, taking Tristian's hand in mine, pulling him close so I could kiss him on the cheek.

"Are you kidding me? Silver's your color." I insisted, making him laugh and sniffle at the same time. We got out of the truck and headed to the grille where Vic and Ace were already waiting inside with their drinks.

I knew Tristian wanted to give this relationship a chance. At first, I thought he was just experimenting and I was fine with that. But you don't give your experiment your father's wedding ring.

Tristian loved me as much as I loved him.

And no matter how childish, reluctant, whiny, lazy, smart, or hungry he was, I would never get sick of being around him.