Not until he tripped and fell, and couldn't keep up anymore.
Rita didn't actually take me far. She pulled me toward a building that had been half-demolished before construction stopped.
Everything around it was empty. Everyone had moved out.
Rita dragged me upward. I walked carefully, placing each step lightly, trying not to look at the walls that had half-disappeared.
"Relax. It's only half torn down, but it's still concrete. You can live here."
Rita hurried me along with a look of disgust.
Actually, this place was only one street away from my home.
I tried hard to memorize the way back, thinking I'd run home when she wasn't paying attention.
Rita took me up to the third floor and locked me in the only room that was still mostly intact.
"You'll stay here for a few days. I left food inside—eat when you're hungry. If you need to use the bathroom, just find a spot. I'll come get you after I'm done playing mahjong."
She seemed like she wanted to say something else, but call after call kept interrupting her.
"You need a fourth? I'm on my way!"
Rita shut the door, locked it casually, and hurried off.
The room had nothing in it except a table and a bed.