Settling Down

Dexter struggled to keep up with Romeo's tempo. At the same time, he struggled to breathe properly. He hasn't seen anything like that before. 

The taunting from Romeo got into Dexter's head. But what was he going to do about it? Absolutely nothing!

He was willing to endure the present struggle and hope for a better tomorrow. 

 Dexter was quite aware of his numerous tortures in the hands of Jaguar and would rather not go back to that phase anymore. 

No one has ever inflicted so much pain on Dexter before since he was born. Not even his beloved Father or late mother.

Jaguar treated Dexter as though Dexter were his biological son. It was an ugly experience for Dexter. He would give up an arm to forget about it. 

"Take a look at these bunch of keys.

What do they mean to you? Do they ring a bell to you, or do you want me to spell it out so you would understand perfectly well what I am talking about?" 

 Romeo asked, flashing the keys to the cell across Dexter's face. 

"They're the keys to your cell. As you can see, the cell is empty. It's the only empty cell available. I brought you here just to keep you safe from those hooligans. But if you decide to act like a son of a bitch, I will walk away and take you back to Jaguar. And trust me when I say this time, it's going to be you against the world,' Romeo uttered a lot. He was sweating already as though it were an interrogative session. 

Dexter knew when to call it a quit. Romeo did what Dexter's Father couldn't even since he was born. 

Romeo was barely five years older than Dexter, yet was able to give Dexter a run for his money. 

He got Dexter trembling on both feet like someone being robbed at Gunpoint. 

"Firstly, I want to apologize for being rude to you," Dexter started speaking. 

"Who cares about your damn apology? Just answer my question already. That's all that matters to me right now," Romeo was quick to reject Dexter's apology even before they landed. 

He made his intentions clear by saying, "The only shift I care about right now is the question I asked you. That would tell whether I'm going to help you or not,"

"My father wasn't aware. Officer Lucas denied me from speaking to my Father over the phone," Dexter finally explained after seeing how ferocious Romeo was. 

"And he hasn't reached out to you since then?" Romeo followed up with another question. 

"I wouldn't know. 

My phone is with the cops at the counter. If I had my phone, I would have called my Father," Dexter answered, with his head facing the ground. 

"Okay. This is tough,"

Romeo sighed. He unlocked the cell and asked Dexter to walk inside so he could shut it back. 

However, Dexter was reluctant to enter. He figured that he had a lot to settle before accepting to go inside the cell. 

"Does that mean that you are going to help me now?'

I don't recall saying I was going to help out. Just go inside," Romeo looked away. 

When he saw that Dexter was reluctant to leave, he decided to reverse his decision. "Fine! I will see what I can do about it. Although, I am not assuring you anything"

"Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much," Dexter jumped for joy and hugged Romeo out of excitement.

He quickly pulled himself after realizing whom he hugged. "I am sorry for doing,"

Volunteering, Dexter entered the cell as though he were walking inside his mission. That was the only time he felt happy after his arrest. He was elated because he knew that Romeo was going to solve his problems. 

As Romeo walked to the counter, he wished not to encounter Lucas. That was the only person he feared. The sight of Lucas equally means that Dexter might as well spend a week in detention. 

Like a criminal escaping after a successful robbery operation, Romeo sneaked to meet the other low-ranking officers at the counter. 

Finally, he arrived at the counter without Lucas coming to stop him. 

Romeo glances to both sides. He might have escaped from Lucas, but still wasn't satisfied. Romeo had this negative feeling that Lucas might be somewhere watching him. 

 "Officer Romeo, is there a problem? And why are you glaring around like a criminal? Are you trying to avoid someone?" Rhoda, one of the female officers at the counter, asked. She happened to be the only one on duty for the night. 

It makes Romeo rather uncomfortable because Rhoda is one person who doesn't get along with Romeo. 

These two could be mistaken as sworn enemies. So far, seeking Rhoda's assistance remains Romeo's most difficult task ever. More difficult than apprehending a criminal. Romeo wasn't even expecting Rhoda to listen to him, let alone start the first conversation. 

The act from Rhoda assured Romeo that she was never going to be a hard nut to crack as he had earlier imagined. 

"Please, I need your help urgently," 

Romeo pleaded with Rhoda. He hates the fact that he had to come to his worst enemy for help. Romeo also hates the fact that Dexter is the reason for all of this. Someone who annoys him a lot. 

As Romeo pleaded, he also looked behind him just to be certain Lucas wasn't coming. The Absence of Lucas made Romeo more uncomfortable. 

"You need my help?" Rhoda pointed to herself. She looked around and hoped that there was someone that Romeo was speaking to. Unfortunately, it was just Romeo and Rhoda around. 

"Yes, I do, and I am not joking about it.

I know how this may sound to your ear but right now, you are the only one that can help me out," Romeo confirmed. 

Wow! Now, this is serious. 

What do you need help with?"

Rhoda asked with keen interest. 

It was at that moment, Rhoda confirmed that Romeo wasn't joking after all.