Chapter 9: chapter 9

What is the meaning of this tattoo?I'm still wondering about it while staring at the tattoo on my ankle. I've made a mental note to ask Rei as soon as he comes. My eyes travel to the digital clock on my bedside table. I'm shocked. It's already 1 am. I can't believe I lost track of time. For how long have I been sitting like this? And Rei is quite late. Just when I'm about to grab the phone to call him, I hear the front door opening. I get off the bed and go to the living room. Rei is taking off his shoes with his back facing me.He senses my presence and turns his head to look at me. "Was there a lot of work? You're so late" I complain like an impatient housewife.He nods, exhausted and then proceeds to take off his shocks. A chuckle leaves my mouth despite being ignored and then goes to hug him from behind but he flinches instantly. I back off, confused. Rei cups my cheeks and kisses me on my forehead. "I'm so tired, I'm gonna go take a shower," he says, his hands slipping off my face and heading to his room without looking back. I stand rooted in my spot for a while, taken aback by his confusing behaviour. He hugs me no matter how exhausted he is. What happened today? But it's not like it bothered me so much. I don't put too much thought into it.Then I notice his shoes and socks scattered on the mat. I sigh and put them on the shoe stand but when I'm about to walk away, my eyes catch something on the floor. I bend down and look carefully. It's a red drop of liquid. Did I spilt sauce here?I touch it with my forefinger and smell it only to gag. Ugh!! It's blood. Where did it come from? My eyes scan the floor like spiders."Did Rei got bitten by something? Is it Leech?" I mumble to myself and feel shivers at the thought of it. I hate that freaking organism. I notice another drop and then another all the way leading to Rei's bedroom. He got bitten. Ugh.Taking a first aid kit from my room, I head to Rei's room. He is in the bathroom. So, I wait. But he doesn't come out even after thirty minutes. Should I call him? Debates started in my head. I pace around in his room and then go near the bathroom door. I'm just about to call his name when I hear him mumbling to himself. Curiosity takes the best of me and I press my ear against the door. C'mon, who does that?It's wrong but I can't help. Rei's words are almost inaudible but it seems like he is angry, he is cursing. I flinch and jolt back at the sudden sound of glass breaking. He just punched the mirror. I wonder what made him angry like that. It must be something very serious because Rei is always calm, he doesn't get angry easily. I slowly push the door, and surprisingly it's open. Then through a small gap I peek inside, The floor is covered with broken glasses. His head is pressed against the wall with both hands on each side.Then my eyes are on his back. His bloody back. It's like he has been beaten by a sharp object. I almost walk in had I not noticed the tattoo on his lower back. It's a rose with thorns surrounding it. Crimson red rose. As I stare at it, I couldn't help but get the feeling that I had seen it somewhere before.I think hard and that's when I feel the blood rushing to my face. I manage to close the door silently and press my back against the wall, covering my mouth to avoid making any sound. I'm trembling and my heart is pounding. I'm so scared right now that I don't dare to leave this room. Oh. How did I forget it? It's the same tattoo I saw on Rodas's left chest while cleaning his wound. But... What's happening? Why does Rei have that tattoo? What's the wound on his back? He said he was going to the office for work.I gather all my strength and wobble to the door and leave Rei's room. I lock the door of my room as soon as I enter it and drop to the floor.Suddenly, all the behaviours Rei have shown me and all the things I've thought about him carry a question mark with them. Doubt started arising in my mind. Wait- Wait! It must have been just a coincidence. There's no way Rei is pretending with me. So many people have similar tattoos on them. Yes - There's no way Rei is with Rodas. But what about his wounds? Why would he hide it from me if he got beaten by some thugs? He should've called the cops. That's what a normal person would do... Unless he is a thug himself.----I wake up with the smell of burning toast and coffee.My head hurt. I lay down for a while, looking at the ceiling but then suddenly remembers last night. I quickly get off the bed and run to the kitchen. Rei smiles at me."Good Morning!" He sing-songs. He is wearing a long sleeve oversize T-shirt and a pyjama. My eyes travel to his right hand. It's bandaged. "Elie?" He calls my name."Oh! G-Good Morning!" He puts the plate and coffee cup down and approaches me. I take a step backwards. He frowns."What happened?" He asks."I-I should go... Wash my mouth first!" I excuse myself. He nods, still frowning. I turn around and sprint back to my room. What should I do?I was nervous there. What if he notices? I take a long breath and let it out. Let's act normal. Let's act normal. I pat myself on the chest and go to the bathroom. I go back to the kitchen after twenty minutes. Rei is still there. Waiting for me."Are you ok?" He asks.I nod and give him a side hug."What happened to your hand?" I say, acting surprised. "I accidentally hit my hand in the mirror..." Lies. "Why didn't you call me? I would've tended it for you" He chuckles. "I did go to your room... But you were already asleep" Lies.