Ever since the fight with Rune, Sohal felt uneasy.

He was too much of a coward to message first, and it seemed like Rune was still mad at him. It felt like things had become so broken between them that there was nothing to salvage. But Sohal couldn’t explain to himself why he missed Rune so much.

When his eyes caught on the familiar logo of the Fated app, Sohal knew what he needed to do. With his premium subscription, he could choose who he wanted to be paired with. Going on a date with someone new was the perfect way to get Rune off his mind.

Sohal laid back on his couch, his phone in his hand. He just came back from having a Fated employee verify his information, so his premium trial could begin, and he was excited to explore even more matches. It was like exploring a whole new world.

It was way more convenient to scroll through his phone instead of waiting for a match. Now, he could message whoever he wanted to try and get a feel for them first instead of feeling the pressure to make it perfect that came with being given matches.

A ping went off on his phone and he saw he got a message from a woman named Emily.

Hey.

He replied back quickly. Before he knew it, he was talking to Emily about random subjects and a small smile stretched on his face. She seemed to be more interested in other things than just sex since she didn’t bring it up at all. If Sohal was lucky, maybe she would understand him. Better yet, she might be asexual, too.

His mind flickered back to Rune before he shook his head. Rune was wrong about Fated. There were good people on there if you looked hard enough for them.

〜

Things moved fast between Sohal and Emily, and before the day was over, the two agreed to meet up for dinner together. Sohal was starting to feel a real connection with her, so the fact she wanted to meet the same day didn’t bother him at all.

Sohal approached the meeting spot. It was a restaurant on the pricier end of the spectrum, but the food was good, and it wasn’t that often he treated himself. The area was supposed to be quiet and calming with plenty of beautiful scenery to look at.

At least that was how Emily described it.

Instead, Sohal found himself in a bustling street with tons of people walking everywhere. Fortunately, it wasn’t too loud that he’d have trouble on his date.

“Sohal!” Emily called out to him from her seat at an outdoor table. “It’s so good to see you! Come and sit. You’ll have to forgive me for showing up early. I couldn’t wait.”

Sohal walked over to the table and took a seat across from his date.

“It’s great to see you too, Emily,” Sohal smiled.

“I’ve already gone ahead and ordered for us. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” Sohal looked down at the table and saw fries. Rune entered Sohal’s mind as he thought back to the time they first met, but Sohal quickly waved the thought away.

Emily picked up a fry and she waved it around in the air. “Tell me more about yourself. I know we talked a bit on the app, but I still want to learn more about you.”

“Well, everything you need to know is on my profile. What do you want to know?” Sohal didn’t feel like eating but still nibbled a fry in hopes that his nerves would calm down.

She plopped another fry into her mouth. “So… how do you feel about marrying after the first date?”

“My parents did it but I’m not sure about it for myself. I want to make sure that I can really connect with the person I’m matched with.”

“But the app matched us so it should be good enough, right? A soulmate is a soulmate.” She said it like it was a fact that everyone knew.

“It’s more of a complicated situation for me.”

“Why’s that?” Emily raised an eyebrow. “Do you prefer sleeping on the first date to make sure you’re okay with it?”

“No! Definitely not!” Sohal cleared his throat. “I just… am not into that stuff.”

“What stuff? Marriage and sex?”

“More so… the sex part.”

“Hm…” Emily leaned forward and put her hand under her chin. “I noticed that you didn’t mention sex at all during our chat. Did you have a bad experience? I can fix that for you. I’m certified.”

“Fix it?” Sohal echoed.

“It’s nothing too alarming. We’ll go through things slowly and before you know it–” She snapped her fingers. “–you’ll be loving every moment you’re in bed with a woman.”

“Uh… well… this is new information to me.” Sohal felt his stomach turn and his hand gripped the edge of the table tightly. “I’ll… have to think about this.”

Her eyes flickered to his hand. “Are you sure? Would you like to hear more of the process?”

“I’ll… uh…”

Sohal felt like he was being watched. He glanced to the side and noticed a cop seated a few tables away from them. The moment he looked, the cop looked away. A droplet of sweat grew on his forehead. Was it the same cop as the one near Vein?

“Sohal?” Emily asked. “Are you listening to me?”

He turned back to Emily with a strained smile. “Yeah, sorry. Just... got lost in my thoughts.”

“Everything okay?” Emily asked. “You look really stressed.”

Sohal wiped sweat from his forehead. The cop from earlier was now sitting at the table next to them, and it was clear that he was being watched. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

“I want to have a good time with you. It just seems like you’re really distracted.”

“My sister she…” Sohal said it too quickly. He didn’t even know what he was going to say. “She… uh… is having complications with her pregnancy. I’m really worried for her.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. Maybe we should reschedule for another day.”

“Uh, maybe. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to give you a good date.”

“Don’t worry, family is important. Maybe I can meet them someday.”

“Maybe.”

“Go spend time with your sister. I’m sure she’s just as overwhelmed as you.”

“Thank you. You’re really nice, Emily.”

“I’ll message you later tonight.”

Sohal slowly got up from the table and began to walk away from the restaurant. He just had to make it back to his car, and then, he would be free from being watched.

Except it wouldn’t be that easy.

A quick glance behind his back revealed he was being followed. It was the same cop that was at the restaurant. The cop was too close for Sohal’s liking. Did he do something wrong? His head felt like it was spinning. He had to get out of there and fast.

He picked up the pace until he was racing down the street, hoping to get away from the crowd. The cop still trailed him, and Sohal felt lost on what to do next. He needed help.

Sohal took out his phone and looked at his contacts, wondering who he should call. Ed, no. Ed wouldn’t do anything. His parents, no. They would be too busy worrying and they wouldn’t understand. Sister, no. He can’t stress her out, she’s pregnant. Asa?

Sohal clicked on Asa’s number, waiting for him to pick up the phone. The call didn’t go through and panic rose in Sohal’s chest. Did something happen to Asa?

His eyes flickered to Rune’s number. Rune mentioned that if he ever got in trouble to give him a shout. He helped him when his dad wouldn’t drop the uncomfortable talk. He hesitated for a second but dialed it. After a few rings, Rune picked up the phone.

“Sohal?”

“Yes,” Sohal lowered his voice. He glanced behind him again. The cop was still there.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on a date?” Rune’s voice dripped with irritation.

Sohal cupped his hand around his mouth and phone, hoping no one would hear. “Well… there’s a cop following me right now.”

“Shit. Are you in a crowded area?”

“No.”

“Find one.”

Sohal’s eyes scanned the area. There was a mall nearby and he immediately went inside. It was bustling with people. His eyes darted around trying to figure out where to go next.

“Where are you now?” Rune asked, worry dripping in his voice.

“In Laken mall,” Sohal replied.

“Okay, the officer is still following?”

“Yeah.”

“Go up the escalators.”

“Okay.”

The area where the escalators were was even more crowded than the rest of the mall. It was stuffed with people. He got onto it and saw the cop had gotten on as well.

“ Walk up the escalators if you can. Also, are there any bags on the escalator?”

Sohal looked in front of him. A woman had a bright pink suitcase next to her. “There’s a person with a giant suitcase in front of me.”

“Knock it down behind you.”

“What?”

“Do it.”

Sohal did as Rune said. The contents of the suitcase immediately spilled down the escalator and Sohal immediately apologized to the woman.

“Sohal, run.”

He did just that.

“Get out of there as fast as you can.”

He ran through the people and immediately looked for another exit.

“What do I do?” Sohal gasped for air. “I can’t run for too long.”

“Find the east exit.”

Sohal dashed to the east exit and threw open the doors. He scanned his surroundings and his head was swimming in panicked thoughts. There was a click sound and Sohal looked down at his phone. Rune had hung up on him.

Sohal’s panic increased tenfold at that point. What was he going to do now?

Something warm covered Sohal’s body and arms were wrapped around him. Sohal looked back to see a tall man with long pink hair and dark tinted sunglasses. The man had wrapped a jacket around him and wouldn’t let him go.

“Relax, it’s me.” It was Rune’s calm voice. “Pretend we’re in love and we’re going to have babies or something.”

“What happened to your hair?”

“It’s a wig. Anyways, I have another pair of sunglasses in my pocket. Reach down and put them on.”

“What’s with the jacket?”

“It’s so you won’t be so easily recognized.” Rune tugged on the hood of the jacket onto Sohal’s head. “Put it on properly. They’re probably still searching for you.”

“I… should go home. It’s been a long day.”

“No, it’s not safe to go home.”

“Then where…”

“You can stay with me for the night.”

Sohal was going to reply but he heard someone running behind him. He tensed up.

“The cop just ran out. We should leave before they find us.”

Rune held Sohal’s hand tightly. Sohal took a shaky breath before taking Rune’s lead.