A Dream?

Rin

Josie told me all about Dean. Dean Richards was a former bartender at one of the gay bars Rin frequented. They hooked up once, and Dean became obsessed. Dean didn't start out blackmailing Rin; it was a couple of months later that he changed. Josie doesn't know much else. All I have to go on now is the bar the three of them went to sometimes. Josie offered to come with me, but I think I will see a less candid version of Dean if I go by myself. I want to tell the prince and Anon, but I'm worried they will want to go with me. However, if I keep it from them, I will lose their trust, if I have any left, that is. Gah! I hate all of this. Everything is too complicated. I could just run away and start over. I mean, Rin's life isn't my concern. Shit, if I was going to do that, I should have done it before I met Parker. I owe so much to Prince Jay and Anon, too. It's just wishful thinking. I mean, who doesn't want to take the easy way out from time to time? I guess I have no choice. I have to tell them my plan. I will tell them in the morning. Prince Jay seemed pretty upset. I don't think I should bother him anymore tonight. I guess I will go to bed.

Jay

"Anon, I think it might be best to hire a private investigator. I need someone to search for info on Rin in not-so-legal ways. I don't like the way things are turning out. I can't tell if Rin is lying or just delusional. I need concrete answers soon." I say. Anon stares at me in shock. 

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" I snap. 

Sometimes, I hate the fact that he is my best friend. He knows me too well. 

"You want to hire someone to break the law for you, basically? That's not like you. You usually break the law yourself. Are you sure about this? You don't like getting other people involved in your business." Anon calmly states. 

He has a point. I'm not someone who has a problem bending the rules now and then. However, I don't like bringing others into it. 

"Yes, I am sure. A private investigator's job is to do the dirty work for someone else. It's not some innocent person. It's their job. Let's not make it a bigger deal than it needs to be." I say, standing from my desk chair. 

I walk towards the office door and turn to face Anon. 

"You're right. I will look for someone tomorrow. What are we going to do about Rin for the time being?" Anon says, following behind me. 

"Honestly, nothing. Let's keep things the way they are. It's best to keep him as close as possible. I don't trust him, but I don't think he is a dangerous person." I say as Anon and I walk to our rooms. 

"It's your call. I don't know what the best option is anyway. If you had listened to me in the first place, he wouldn't have been our problem." Anon is clearly annoyed. 

I don't blame him. I am, too. I'm annoyed with myself the most. I let my childish curiosity get the better of me, and I did something foolish. Even still, I would do it all again. Something is pulling me towards Rin, and I don't understand what it is. 

"Yea, yea. I know. I will see you in the morning. Good night." I say as I enter the room and close the door behind me. 

Rin

"HELP! SOMEONE!!!" A faint voice trickles through the darkness. 

I try to shout back, but nothing comes out. My voice is gone. I stagger forward slowly, hoping to find some source of light. As I move forward, the voice becomes louder. 

"HELP! SOMEONE!!!" 

It sounds like a man. It sounds…familiar. I finally feel something with my hand. It's a wall. I drag my hand across it, using it as a guide. It should lead me to something. I keep inching my way forward. I finally got a glimpse of light and faster. 

"HELP! SOMEONE!!! PLEASE!!!!" 

It's so loud now. I must be getting closer. I see a doorway with light flowing through it. I walk through and see a man slumped over in a chair in the middle of the room. He seems to be tied to the chair. He looks horrible. How long has he been here like this? I walk behind him to untie his hands.

"You won't be able to untie me yet." He says. 

I look up and meet his gaze. What? What am I seeing? How? Wait! I know him. He is…

I open my eyes and look at the ceiling I stared at the night before. Was it just a dream? It didn't feel like a dream. I knew that man. How come I can't remember now? I dream far too much now. At least it wasn't a nightmare this time. I think. I can't make sense of it. All I know is that it didn't feel like a typical dream. It felt more like real life. What if… Am I going crazy? Every day seems to make me doubt myself more and more. I need answers, even if they lead me to the conclusion that I am crazy.