The Angel and Her Protector

Chapter 10

  Alex was lost in his thoughts while laying in the hospital bed, with only the sounds of the heart monitor keeping him company. The others were in separate rooms, also being monitored after the accident. Alex was desperately wanting to leave and go search for Angeline. He knew the police were already looking into it, but that didn't stop the ache in his heart and he knew it wouldn't go away until she was back in his arms. 

    He felt like he had let her down, he was the one to be protecting her but he had failed. Now he had no idea where she was or what that sick bastard was going to do to her. Alex thought that after Angeline left that he would finally leave her alone. He was the real cause of why Angeline had left right after graduation. Angeline didn't know all there was to know about him, but Alex did. His name alone made his temper rise and his heart rate to escalate. 

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DEREK...

    Derek Shipman had an unhealthy attraction to Angeline. The first time he saw her walking down the hall at their high school he thought an angel had escaped from Heaven. When he learned of her name he couldn't believe it and wanted to know everything there was to know about her. He had transferred there for his Junior year, Angeline was a Senior. 

     Derek had hacked into the school's computer system, giving him a copy of Angeline's schedule, locker number and combination. He memorized her classes and knew exactly where she would be every second of the day. 

     The first time she spoke to him was right after her English class and she had bumped into him, causing their books to fall to the ground. "I am so sorry," Angeline said in the sweetest voice. Derek was caught off guard and the words were stuck in his voice. As Angeline handed him his last book he was finally able to speak, "Thank you. My name is Derek." Angeline smiled and Derek couldn't believe it, he was afraid it was all a dream. "You're Welcome, and again I am really sorry for bumping into you. I'm Angeline." She stretched her hand out and Derek reluctantly reached for it, he couldn't believe he was actually touching her, even if it was just a hand shake. 

     After that brief encounter Derek was determined to see her whenever he could. A wave here and there while walking in opposite directions down the hall, and on occasion saying hello. What he didn't expect one Friday afternoon was to be invited to a party at Angeline's house. This was his chance to charm her and make her his. He knew things would be different between them after that night. 

    There were so many kids from their school at the party, it took Derek forever to finally locate Angeline. She was surrounded by so many others, including the one guy that never left her side, ALEX. Derek was going to have to get rid of this guy if he had any chance of being alone with Angeline. 

    He knew exactly who to call, someone he could trust to help him out. He just hoped that they weren't busy and could come right away. He made his way outside to make a call. Once he was far enough away, he dialed the number and waited. After a few rings a voice came on, "Hello?"

    "Hello Amelia, I need your help. Want to come to a party?" Derek knew his cousin all to well and that she was always up for a party. She of course was willing to come and help him out. She lived about 45 minutes away so he knew it would take some time for her to get there. 

   Derek eventually made his way back to Angeline and said hello, she said hello back and asked if he wanted something to drink. Derek declined for the moment, he knew he needed to have a clear head for the next step of his plan. 

    Amelia texted him when she had arrived, so Derek excused himself and went out to meet his cousin. They briefly went over the plan before making their way back inside. As soon as he spotted Alex, he walked Amelia over and introduced them. 

   "Hey Alex, this is my cousin Amelia. Amelia this is Alex." Alex shook her hand while saying hello. Derek then leaned towards Alex so only he could hear. "Would you mind keeping her company? She's new to the area and doesn't know many people. And I don't want her glued to my side the whole time." 

    He could tell that Alex was thinking it over, eventually a smile crossed Alex's face and he nodded his head. Reaching back over to speak, "I think I can help with that." Before Derek could say anything else, Alex was leading the way to the kitchen. Which gave Derek the opportunity to steal Angeline away from her other guests.

   After the party Derek was slowly making his way into Angeline's life, little by little. With Alex busy with Amelia, Angeline had more time to spend with Derek. Which Derek was going to take full advantage of. And everything was going great until Alex ruined everything and broke up with Amelia. 

   Derek tried his best to keep things as they were, but their time together was getting shorter by the day. He had planned to take Angeline to prom, but once again Alex ruined that. And bringing Amelia to distract him didn't go as planned either. Once Angeline had seen them kiss she quickly left, not giving Derek enough time to even make his way over to her. 

    Then there was the dreaded bonfire, Derek had no clue that Amelia would pull such a stunt. He was furious, and now he had to come up with another plan. He knew Angeline would need some time to get over that night. And he was going to need time as well. Time to come up with the perfect plan. 

    For the last 10 years all he could ever think about was Angeline. She was his reason for living, and without her life simply did not make sense. He was never to far from her though, but he knew he had to wait for the right moment to make his presence known. Once again he had relied on his cousin for help, and so far Amelia's role was working perfectly. Derek would have Angeline, and Amelia could do what she pleased with Alex. 

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      Angeline was slowly waking up, her eyes felt so heavy. Every bit of her body ached. As her eyes opened she was able to finally focus on her surroundings. She was laying on a bed, there were a few doors around the room, she was unsure of where they all led to, and one window. Angeline tried to sit up but it was extremely painful, she was pretty sure she had a broken rib. She rolled onto her uninjured side and managed to scoot herself to the edge of the bed so she could sit up.

    Her legs hanging off the side of the bed, she noticed the bandage on her left ankle. Before she could stand up and explore the room more, one of the doors opened and there he stood. Derek. Why was he here? Why did he take me? So many questions flooded her head. She definitely felt like she was missing part of the puzzle and she needed answers.

    "Hello Angel. How are you feeling?" Derek asked her, she hated the way he said Angel. She was never a fan of that nickname, and the way she felt after he said it only confirmed that something was not right. 

    During their time in high school she always thought he was a good guy. He always seemed to care for her and was always so sweet to her. She always thought of him as a great friend. Even after she left, she was always curious to how he was doing or where he was. But she had promised herself that she would stay away. She didn't want to drag him into her mess. 

    So why was he here now? Why was she feeling this way towards him? She had always felt comfortable around him before, but now she was terrified. The look in his eyes had changed, they didn't seem friendly or inviting. They were dark, and full of something dangerous. She knew she needed to get away, but with her injuries that was going to take some time. She was just hoping that Alex was working on getting to her, she knew that he would never stop till he found her. At that thought, a smile made its way on to her lips. 

    That smile did not go unnoticed by Derek, and he thought it was because his Angel was back at his side. "Are you happy to see me Angel?" Angeline looked back up at him, she saw the smile on his face. She had to be careful, she had to play along if she wanted to survive. 

    "I missed you Derek. Thank you for rescuing me. Can you tell me where we are?" Any information she could get would help her, and as long as she treated him kindly she would be safe. For now. 

    Derek slowly made his way over to her, he knelt down in front of her and reached his hand up to cup her cheek. "I will always be here for you my Angel. You are somewhere safe. For now that is all I can tell you. All you need to know is that I will keep you safe, safe from everyone." 

    She didn't like the way he said everyone. She also hated the way his hand felt on her skin. She wanted nothing more than to rip it off her cheek, and she hoped that her face wasn't giving her away. She was trying so hard not to show her disgust for him. Angeline simply nodded and said, "Thank you for looking out for me." 

     Derek knew she was having trouble with what was going on. He was going to have to show her that he was doing all of this for her. That she belonged with him. He was going to have to take this slow, or else he was going to lose her for good. Derek stood, his eyes not leaving hers, "Why don't I go get you something to eat, while you lay back and rest. Tomorrow we can talk about everything."

     Angeline did as he said, he helped her lay back on the bed and get comfortable. She needed to take it easy, she couldn't risk making him mad. Tomorrow she was determined to get the answers she needed and to find out what was really going on.