The Rhythm of Rain

by C. L. Scholey

  "I'll pick you up at seven," Telor said. "Dinner?"

  "Can I choose where?" Rain felt the back of her shirt being pelted.

  "Sure."

  "Seven it is, and I'm thinking sushi," Rain said and winked as she cast a glance upward as the skies suddenly opened up.

  "Blah," Telor grumbled and made a comical face.

  "Man cannot live on burgers and fries alone," Rain said primly.

  "Well, some of us sure can try. Now get inside before you're soaked, Rain," Telor said with a chuckle as he drove off.

  Smiling, Rain practically bounced into the studio. She shook off her dripping hands and fingers, flinging water as she went along. She was dancing before she entered the change room. Immediately the air around her shifted and felt charged with energy. Dancing was like being in another world. Rain could be anything, become anyone in the dance. Passion and perfection weren't just things: they were everything.

  Rain flung open the change room door with a flurry, bounded in and crashed headlong into a man coming out. Rain felt like she'd hit a solid brick wall. Large hands clasped around her, keeping her from falling. Rain looked up, a bit stunned, and her gaze settled onto the most intense dark brown eyes she had ever seen.

  "Well, who do we have here?"

  Rain felt her knees go weak from the sound of his voice. The man was a shade taller than Telor. Raven-dark hair touched the tips of his shoulders and glistened from moisture. His chest was broad and bare.

  "I'm Rain," she stammered.

  His face split with a smile. "I've always wanted to catch a raindrop. You're the prettiest of them all."

  Rain could feel her face flame. What was wrong with her? Some gorgeous hunk batted his eyes and Rain turned into a puddle! She practically muscled her way from his arms. Sizing him up, she could see he had been caught unawares outside. His pants, shoes, and no doubt socks were drenched.

  "The men's change room is down two doors," Rain said.

  "So I was told," he said wryly. "My name is Jaron."

  Rain took the outstretched hand offered. She felt herself shudder when she touched him. Her gaze intensified. There was something…something in his compelling eyes that urged her to look harder. For a moment she thought she recognized him, until the feeling past.

  "Have we met?" she asked, filled with confusion.

  "It's possible," he said. "I meet a lot of people in my line of work. Hey, listen, I'd love to stay and chat, but I need to get out of these wet clothes. You should too."

  Jaron gave her a quick smile and strode away. Rain stood there dripping, watching him. He didn't move like a dancer; then again he hadn't elaborated on what his line of work was. His walk resembled that of a stalker, a deadly predator in motion, and she suppressed a shudder. When he glanced back over his shoulder at her, Rain felt frozen to the spot. Those intense dark eyes pierced her soul, keeping her immobile.

  Rain was certain they had met. It wasn't just a feeling. Her emotions came at her as though they were spiraling back in time. It was hard to breathe. Her chest hurt. She was trapped. Something bad was happening…something horrible. The memory was on the edge of her mind, screaming for release, howling louder to remain repressed. Rain warred within herself.

  Please stop.

  Jaron narrowed his brows. Rain's heart hurt. She felt caught in a hunter's snare. Finally Jaron turned and the spell was broken. Rain almost slumped to the floor. She had the urge to run from him—or run to him. Why?

  Chapter Two

  "I'm sorry, Rain. I need to jump on this opportunity," Telor said.

  Rain stood just inside the studio doors as flashes of lightning emblazoned the darkened sky before her. With irritation she glared at her cell phone. She had misplaced her purse and after a long look finally found it in the same spot she was certain she had left it to begin with. Somehow her phone had been turned off and she was unable to track her purse by using Sandra's cell phone. Telor had called just as she turned her phone back on.

  "Are you already on your way to the class?" she asked. She had the phone tight against her ear and a finger shoved into her other ear to drown out the sounds of the storm.

  "I left a half hour ago. I tried to call you again but got the voicemail. I've left at least a dozen messages. I thought you'd made other arrangements since I didn't hear back from you. You told your grandmother if it was bad you'd be staying in the city with your girlfriends. The course I'm headed to is important. It's for auto extrication, basically how to stabilize a vehicle and extricate victims."

  "I thought you knew all that." Rain frowned. There hadn't been any messages on her phone, but Telor wouldn't lie to her.

  "I do, but there are always new tools and refresher updates I need to keep on top of. The training is a bonus. It could help save a life."

  "Well, then of course you shouldn't miss it," Rain said. "I can get a ride to Sandra and Trace's place and spend the night."

  "Rain, I'm sorry. If you really need me, I…"

  Thunder crashed and Rain lost her signal. She swore aloud as the phone crackled. She hung up and pushed Telor's number. Nothing. Damn it! Sticking her phone out, she pranced about somewhat haphazardly, trying to regain the signal. I bet I look like a damned fool! Can you hear me now?

  Sandra and Trace had already left, thinking she was getting a ride from Telor. Telor was long gone, thinking she was getting a ride from Sandra. Now she'd have to grab a cab in this mess.

  Peering through the window, Rain could barely see anything on the road through the downpour and she grumbled. She opened the glass door a bit and was hit with a blast of wind. Her phone beeped—low battery. Rain tried her cell phone to call Grams, but it was dead. She'd just have to call from Sandra and Trace's apartment.

  Taking a deep breath, Rain dashed from the door and went to the street. She was soaked in seconds. Before she could even hail a cab one pulled up in front of her. Rain sighed in relief and opened the door and slid inside. She swiped at her eyes. She felt her hair drip moisture down her back from the sagging bun it was wound in. Damn, she bet she looked a mess.

  "It's raining, it's pouring," a voice began to singsong and Rain froze. She turned to look at Jaron smiling widely beside her. "Need a lift?" he asked.

  It was on the tip of Rain's tongue to say no, she'd grab another, when thunder boomed again and she winced. Staring into the bleak sky Rain realized another cab might be hard to come by. What could be the harm? Sandra and Trace's apartment wasn't too far. She could suffer his company for a little while.

  "I suppose we can share cab fare," she muttered.

  "Sure, where're you headed?" he asked.

  "Hill Crest High-Rise," she replied and told him the street address. Jaron relayed the information to the cabby.

  Rain eased back against the seat and prepared herself for the wild ride that was about to commence. She wasn't disappointed. Through horn blasts, swearing, fist shaking, the one-finger salute, and waves of puddles splashing innocent by-standers unfortunate enough to be standing too close to the curb, they wove their way through traffic. Rain clutched the door handle.

  Why was it cab drivers always seemed like they were practicing for the Indy 500? They wouldn't get paid if they killed their passengers by crash or heart attack.

  "So do you?" Rain was startled when Jaron spoke, bringing her out of her reverie.

  "Do I what?" she asked and frowned, hoping he wasn't about to ask her something disgusting.

  "Do you know me?"

  "Oh." Rain thought about it. She took a good look at him and once more the oddest sensation of flight-or-fight washed over her. He was large in the confined space of the backseat. His clothes were dry and a tight black shirt molded his broad chest. He wore a dark blue windbreaker. Black jeans clung to his well-shaped thighs. He could use a shave.

  "I might," Rain said with a shrug; he seemed familiar but in an old kind of way, perhaps an old school friend who'd moved away. "But I'm not really sure. Maybe from long ago."

  "How lon
g ago?" he persisted. Jaron was grinning at her but she sensed a certain malice in his gaze.

  Rain turned slightly and crossed her arms over her chest. "Why don't you tell me," she demanded. It was obvious he knew and was acting like some cat with a canary. Well, this canary was an eagle! Let's see him mess with my claws.

  Jaron leaned forward. Rain pressed back against the door, not from fear but he was invading her personal space. It surprised her that his breath was sweet when he closed in on her, their noses only inches apart.

  "We were just kids. You were four the last time I saw you and I was twelve. It was back at your old apartment, before you moved away with your grandparents."

  Rain felt her skin crawl. Her grandparents had told her that her mom and dad had died in that old apartment, victims of a drive-by shooting by a gang of youths. The youngest was said to have been twelve. The entire gang was caught and put behind bars. Grams and Papa thought the area too dangerous and moved their little family halfway across the country. Was meeting this man a coincidence? Rain highly doubted it.

  "My parents were murdered by a bunch of filthy bastards," Rain said with a snarl.

  "I know." His well-chiseled jaw clenched. Rain sensed a threat in those two words. Bracing herself against the door, she shoved at his hard chest, nudging him away.

  "Driver, stop the car," Rain demanded.

  "Never mind, driver," Jaron said as the cab slowed. The cab immediately resumed its pace.

  Rain scowled. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

  Rain again demanded the car stop. This time she brooked no room for argument. As the cab slid to a halt, Rain thrust open the door. Jaron grabbed her hand and Rain struggled.

  "I'm the one who saved your life," Jaron snapped; he was definitely pissed.

  Rain glared at him. It hadn't been a chance meeting. The man had obviously planned this. She had a sneaking suspicion her purse had gone missing on purpose and she bet he had turned her phone off and erased the other messages Telor said he left. And what did he mean he had saved her life? It was a lie. They had found her hiding somewhere—alone. She'd wager this guy just got out of prison and wanted payback. Well, he'd stolen her parents. Rain grabbed his thumb and bent it back, forcing him to release her.

  Once loose, Rain fled into the downpour. She had the strength from hard years of dancing. Slim but muscular thighs churned down the street. It didn't take long to put distance between herself and the creep. Hill Crest was soon in view. Rain flew through the entryway door and rammed her finger against the buzzer. She saw Jaron racing toward her.

  "Hello?"

  "Trace, let me in," Rain yelled frantically.

  The door made a ringing sound, and Rain raced through it. She turned as the door closed and bolted in place, leaving a drenched Jaron on the other side of the glass having just missed out on entry. His chest was heaving. He rattled the door handle. Rain gave him an evil, smug look and strode backward, watching him, to the elevator. Her middle finger lifted in a salute as the elevator doors closed. Jaron smashed his open hands against the glass in fury while he bellowed her name.

  Chapter Three

  "Are you all right?" Telor asked.

  "Fine," Rain said.

  Telor had picked her up after his class instead of spending the night with his buddies. Rain didn't want to remain in the city. When she had called him, there was something in the tone of her voice that bothered him. She sounded like she was under duress and he knew it had nothing to do with the storm. Thankfully the storm had died down. Pelts of water struck the windshield in the dark. It was well after midnight.

  "You look mad," Telor said.

  "I'm not mad." Her voice was quiet, tiny.

  Telor reached over and clasped her fingers. She jumped and snatched her hand away. "Rain…"

  "Do you remember when my family first came here?" she asked.

  "Sure. Why do you ask?"

  "I was weird."

  Telor chuckled. "You weren't weird, no weirder than any other four-year-old girl."

  "I used to run from you."

  "You were afraid I'd tell Grams you were out in the storm."

  "No." Rain turned, and even in the dark he could see the intensity in her gaze. "I was afraid of you."

  "I wouldn't have hurt you," he said, feeling baffled.

  "I didn't think you would hurt me. I was afraid you would disappear. I was afraid you would disappear and never come back and leave me alone in the dark, in the storm."

  "Huh?"

  Rain sat back and exhaled loudly. She ran her hands through her hair. "I don't know. Some guy came to the studio and said he knew me when I was little, before we came here. I know I should remember him, but I can't. There was something about him, though, something creepy and yet not. I know this sounds dumb, but he was safe—familiar and yet spooky creepy. He looked so angry."

  "Did he scare you?"

  "Not really. More like he confused me."

  "What did he say?"

  Rain turned sideways to look at him again. "He says he saved me. But, Telor, my parents were killed in a drive-by shooting. I was found all alone. But no one can tell me where I was found. Grams and Papa refuse to talk about that night. They refuse to talk about anything from the past. I don't blame them; their only child was murdered."

  "Why not look it up?" Telor suggested. "They must have some information on it. Maybe an old newspaper clipping."

  Rain shrugged and remained silent. There was noticeable tension in the air and Telor left her alone to brood over her thoughts. Half an hour later, Telor pulled into the long driveway and parked at the fork. Rain sat staring at her house. The porch light was on. Telor gathered her into his arms. He took a steadying breath.

  "Maybe it's time you find out what really happened that night. Face your demons. In some ways I think you remember yet you just don't want to. Or aren't willing to. Trauma will do that."

  "You already know, don't you?" Rain asked him.

  "I know why you're afraid of fire," he said. But he was worried. If the guy she saw said he was from her past, it did not bode well. Telor would need to keep his ears open and his eyes wide.

  Telor felt her tremble in his arms. Rain was a strong woman. She met most things head-on. Only she would know when she was ready to meet this tragedy.

  "I guess I should," she said, sounding resigned. "It looks like my past got tired of waiting for me, so it caught up."

  Telor kissed her forehead. They both got out of the truck and he walked her to her front door. She rose lightly to her toes and kissed his cheek, thanking him for the ride home. The door closed almost soundlessly behind her.

  Telor decided to check out the perimeter. He walked around to the back of the house and waited until he saw her bedroom light flick on. He stood there watching her silhouette behind her breezy curtain. Telor smiled when her arms lifted and her shirt came off. Her breasts were beautiful.

  From his vantage point he could see her exposed flesh each time the curtain blew back. She slipped into a tiny red spaghetti strap camisole with matching lace panties. Rain waved at the window as though she knew he watched and her light clicked off. Whistling, Telor strode the few steps to his own backdoor and bounded inside. No one was there to greet him—he lived alone. His parents were deceased. He didn't have time for a pet, not even a goldfish.

  Telor poured himself a double shot of bourbon and downed it in one gulp. It was the last thing he remembered. An explosive pain shot through the back of his head and Telor hit the floor, unconscious.

  ~ * ~

  Rain was choking. Her lungs were burning. When she opened her eyes, her room was full of smoke. She fell out of bed onto her floor and screamed for Grams and Papa. When she crawled to her door, she put her hand against it. The door was scorching hot. Rain knew if she opened that door it would be disastrous. Her bedroom window was open. The fresh air would fuel the fire and she could be incinerated in a back draft. Rain would have to go out the window and come back into the house from a
nother entryway to get to her grandparents.

  With steely resolve she clambered out the window onto the overhang. She looked down into the darkness, held her breath, and jumped down from the one-and-a-half-story house. She rolled when she hit the ground. With the breath knocked out of her, Rain crawled to her feet. She screamed when someone grabbed her from behind. Instinctively Rain knew it wasn't Telor. Whoever had her had grabbed her hair in a painful grip.

  Rain spun and punched at the same time. Her fist collided with solid flesh. Goddamn, that hurt, she thought and winced as she shook out her hand. A foul expletive was ground out and Rain was backhanded. She hit the ground and scrambled to her knees. She screamed for Telor. Where was he? Her whole house was ablaze. Her grandparents were nowhere to be seen.

  Rain scooted between her assailant's legs and jumped up. Barefoot, she struggled toward the house, intent on saving her grandparents. Her assailant grabbed her again. She jerked herself from his grasp. The man was huge, not tall, but buff and beefy, built like a brick shithouse or an army tank. He was very dark-skinned and bald. Beady eyes were fastened onto her in an intimidating way. He clenched his fists into hammers. With menace he came at her.

  "We got things to discuss, little girl," he ground out.

  "Not bloody likely."

  Rain was furious. Athletic dancer legs spun high and smashed the man in the face in a roundhouse kick that sent him spiraling backward. He thumped, ass first, to the ground with a loud expulsion of air. Rain was running with a small limp. The bastard had a rock for a jaw. She hadn't gone more than a few feet, the front door now in sight. She was so close—but was tossed over a broad shoulder by a new assailant.

  "Put me down, they're burning," she screamed.

  "You can't save them." It was Jaron's voice.

  Jaron was running with her while she pounded her fists against his back. Jaron spun sideways, obviously in search of anyone in pursuit, and Rain caught a glimpse of a black car. She was being kidnapped. The other man was nowhere in sight. Rain heard sirens in the background.