Ruin - By N.M. Martinez Page 0,61

again. It's the same guy from before who had been blocking the stairs. He's also the one from the fire pit-- Alex was his name. He smiles at me, his long hair falling into his eyes so he has to shove it back. It's that smile, friendly and open, that draws me near though I should know better.

"Where is everyone?" I ask him before I get too near.

He glances at a window facing out front. "Outside."

"Outside?" Something about it surprises me. I doubt they would have voluntarily gone outside on their own. I look at the guy in front of me with narrowed eyes, unsure if I should trust him. He stands in front of me completely unassuming. His hands are open and at his sides, his eyes on me, but he keeps his distance.

He lifts a hand to scratch at the back of his neck. "Yes. It was Brandon."

"Brandon? He asked them to stay outside and they listened?"

"Yes."

It's not a free for all here-- I know that. Still, this surprises me too. None of these people seem like the sort to just roll over and take commands. They'd listen to a person only if they respected them.

With a jolt, I remember that it was Alex who stood on the stairs alone, blocking the way. That says something.

I brush my hair behind my ear. "But you're still here."

He has a foot on the top stair, but the knee is bent. His other foot rests on one of the lower stairs so that we're the same height. It's an awkward position for him to stand in, but also reassuring. It wouldn't be easy for him to jump at me if he wanted to.

"Brandon said I could stay."

It feels as if there's some other unspoken detail, but I don't know what to ask. I look at Alex and bite at the inside of my lip. I don't even know what to say. He doesn't strike me as an immediate danger, but that seems like it should be even more of a warning.

His weight shifts to the leg that's further away, the one lower on the stairs. "I can stay outside."

I stand there like an idiot with my hands at my sides and heels flat against wood floor. I'm not in the best defensive position either, and I know it. I should be staying in Henri's house and not coming out for any reason. I shouldn't trust anyone else.

"Brandon was here?"

His green eyes open wide. He's so close to my own age, even closer to it than Brandon is. Maybe that's why Brandon told him he could stay? "No." He lifts his hand and scratches at his neck again. "Last night. When we left."

I still get a sense that he isn't being completely honest with me, though I admit I'm relieved that Brandon didn't stop by and avoid me. Now that I'm out of his hair, I expect that I won't see him very often. Though he still seems to be trying to take care of me in his own way, and after staying with Henri for a few days, I find I miss Brandon's over-protectiveness.

Alex rubs at his chin. "You want me outside?"

But I don't know, and it doesn't seem like that's something I should say even if it's probably all over my face. I don't know what I want him to do or if I should trust him even. I'm determined to give an answer, but the one that slips out is the one I shouldn't speak. "I don't know." The words come out low from my throat, and I dip my head and stare at the ground after they're out.

Alex holds very still. "I will stay on the bottom step. If you want, you can come later."

I glance up at him and catch the smallest smile, one meant to encourage me. He adds, "No one will get past me." Then he turns and walks down the stairs, his head disappearing from view.

I stand still, frozen in my spot. It's possible it could be a trick of some sort. I lift a foot and tap my toe on the wood floor. Behind me, the door to Henri's apartment is partially ajar. Most of my days are spent in that little room, and I'm going stir crazy trapped in that hot stuffy apartment where the windows won't open and everything is coated in dust.

My feet move forward before my mind has agreed so that by the time I'm at the top of