Rose Perry sprints into the spacious kitchen of her two-bedroom apartment, and goes straight to the table at its center. Snagging a large green apple, Rose wholeheartedly bites into it. The sour juices of the false fruit cause Rose to smack her lips. She sets the apple down and looks over one shoulder, drawing her opposite leg up behind her and gripping the ankle.

  "Mike, I'm heading to the gym! You coming?"

  "Nah. I wish I could, Rose. I've got tests to grade up the wazoo!" Rose's fiance Michael Blaine says, entering the kitchen with a tan basket overflowing with papers.

  Setting the basket of ungraded papers on the kitchen counter, Mike strolls over to Rose and wraps his arms around her waist. Rose stops her exercising long enough to cradle Mike's face with her left hand. She angles her head and kisses his cheek. Their eyes lock and Rose scrunches up her face.

  "Party pooper!"

  Mike chuckles and shakes his head.

  "Rose, you are a mess. A beautiful mess. That's why I can't get enough of you."

  Turning Rose in his arms, Mike presses their foreheads together. He continues to gaze down at her face.

  "I don't understand why you're in the gym so much anyway," Mike complains. "It's not like you really need it."

  "Ah ha," Rose says, playfully pinching Mike's nose. "You said, I don't 'really' need it. Which means I do need it. Make up your mind, Mike."

  "Rose, you know what I meant," Mike protests. "You look great. Sometimes, I think you're overdoing it. I love your body!"

  Rose's mood turns serious. She pats Mike's left forearm with her hand, biting her lower lip.

  "Well, I don't. I don't feel comfortable in my own skin, Mike. So I work out. It makes me feel like I'm in control."

  "Are you in control, Rose? Or is this obsession with weight loss controlling you? I love you, Rose. I'm only looking out for you."

  Rose continues to bite her lower lip while averting her gaze. Her eyes have hardened when she looks at Mike again.

  "I've gotta go, Mike. I'll pick up dinner on the way back. See you later."

  Rose lightly pecks Mike's cheek. Wearing a thin smile, she politely removes his arms from around her waist. With resignation, Mike drops both arms at his sides and solemnly nods his head. Rose goes to the opposite counter and grabs her car keys from beside Mike's basket of test papers.

  "I'll see you later, Mike. I...See you later."

  Rose hurries out of the kitchen. Mike's brow furrows and he peers at the pile of papers in his overfilled grading basket. If only he had time to join her at the gym, but those papers need to be graded asap. With over thirty students, it won't be an easy task.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

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  Rose arrives at the gym to find it mostly empty. Two women are taking turns using the gym's only leg press, and a small group of men are gathered around the two bench presses. From the looks of it, the men are having some sort of competition, cheering the pair of guys currently on the machines.

  Rose settles for the elliptical trainer. She drops her gym bag beside the machine. Tying her hair up into a loose bun, Rose unzips the top of her bag. Once Rose finds her cooling towel, she wraps it around her shoulders. Before long, Rose is deep into her exercise routine. A pair of noise cancelling headphones rests on her head and she puckers her lips, miming to a song blasting in her ears. She watches the only other women in the gym with keen interest.

  The two women have since abandoned the leg press and are now using the hanging bars. One woman acts as a spotter and assister. The other woman, who is a lot more athletic in appearance, effortlessly pulls up on the bar. Both women seem to be having a good time.

  Rose considers her own gym experience. She isn't here because she wants to be here. Not really. However the many harsh words of others will not let her rest. From her callous father, who was always picking at her weight, and telling her to push the plate away. To her former boyfriend, who would slap her as hard as he could and call her a pig.

  Mike's kind words aren't quite enough to erase those memories of hatefulness and abuse. She knows he means well. It just isn't enough.

  Rose's long hair falls loose from the bun she had affixed at the top of her head. She stops the machine long enough to try to get her hair back under control. She is surprised when a hand appears, offering her a rubber band. Glancing at the man offering her the band, Rose tries not to stare. How sad. An accident maybe? What else could have done that to someone's face?

  Rose takes the rubber band with a grateful smile. As she puts up her hair, she notices that almost everyone has left the gym. Only one other person, a strong well-muscled man is in attendance. And he is preparing to leave.

  "Thanks for the rubber band," Rose says with a soft chuckle. "My fiance is a teacher. He has a million of these. I don't know why I didn't think to grab one. Thanks again."

  The man with the cut face and dark hooded jacket moves away with only a head nod. Rose smiles again and goes back to her exercise. Nice fella. Just goes to show, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

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  An hour later

  Rose has finished her exercising and is taking advantage of the communal showers. While the cooling towel kept her from overheating during her workout, there is something to be said about a nice cool shower. Rose turns in the spray, grinning as the water pelts her face.

  Her gym bag sits on a bench near the door. Unbeknownst to Rose, she has a visitor. A gloved hand worms its way into the pockets of her gym bag. Finding Rose's cellphone, the hooded figure slides the phone into a nearby trash receptacle and buries it under debris.

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  Twenty minutes later

  Rose exits the gym and heads for the back lot, where her vehicle is parked. She is surprised to find it gone. Did Mike come by the gym? Why didn't he tell her? And where is he now?

  Rose has little time to consider the answer. A strong arm roughly grabs her from behind, strangling her. Another arm appears from the opposite side, brandishing a black canister of pepper spray. Rose's assailant douses her face with the irritating liquid. Rose's body jerks as she struggles to breathe. Warm lips against her right cheek is the last feeling she is conscious of, before passing out.