10,000 miles

6 : Stranger Danger - Part 1

Lily

As I finished the evening, I noticed that it was raining outside. I didn't expect it to rain, especially when it had been sunny all day when I stepped out of my house this morning. Realizing that I had not taken my umbrella from my house, I only had to do with my trench coat, which had a hood.

The whole day went through a lot of stress when I found out that Jerry was in big debt. I called all the credit institutions, I did everything, but so far they all refuse to help. I was desperate. But now? I was tired and ready to go home. As I walked through the door, locking the library's door shut as usual, I looked up at the dark clouds that were in the sky making the rain pour. The day could not have ended better, a note to sarcasm. Now I was all shivering with cold and my clothes were soaking wet.

Making my way home, I suddenly stopped when I didn't see the path where I usually go. My plain coat and dress underneath were sticking to my body while I run. Taking a guess, I turned left and entered the dark alley making sure no one is there and hoped this is the shortest way to my home. As I took another turn , I stopped in my tracks when I realized that I had already run past this place.

How strange.

Just as I was tracing back my footsteps I suddenly felt myself crash and pull towards a firm, muscular body to the nearest wall. At the same time, I heard footsteps of people heading towards us as though they were chasing someone.

Alarmed by whoever had caught me, I screamed for help, only to find a hand covering my mouth to prevent me from making any noise. I struggled to get away but this person was too strong, like fighter who didn't budge even an inch. At the very thought of it more alarms began to ring in my head, and as though feeling my fear the man leaned over to whisper.

''Stay still and I won't harm you,'' his voice was gentle like the air itself.

When I finally let myself relax, I felt the man loosen his hands over me. I couldn't see who it was as the man had the hood over his head with a large, clack cloak. As the voices of several men approached us, the man blended himself into the dark wall.

Through the little gap, I caught sight of a man running past us only to be shot making him fall limp on the ground. The sound of the gunshot intermingled with rain as blood seeped out of his body and I gasped seeing the water turn red.

''Where is he?'' One of the man asked while the others who followed dragged away the injured man lying on the ground by his legs.

''He shouldn't be far with the state he is in. Search the other side of the alley,'' the group of men ran through the other street to pass us without any knowledge.

Once they were out of sight, the hooded man stepped back making me shiver, bringing goosebumps over my wet skin. As I had been in the rain I hadn't realized how cold the rain was.

''Thank you for your cooperation,'' he said with his back facing me as he looked around the street and then he groaned softly like he was in pain. He leaned over the wall and clutched the side of his stomach.

A part of me wanted to ask if he is alright but another part of me told me to mind my own business as it would be better not to get involved with a stranger.

''All you alright?'' I asked him worried as well curious, watching the back of his head hit the wall making his straight nose and pale thin lips peek through the hood. His hand was bloody when he removed it to see his wound and I nearly gasped out loud,'' Oh my, it's a lot worse than my period.'' 

 Hearing my worried tone, the man's lips quirked up softly.

''Don't you know that you shouldn't talk to strangers, little girl?'' he said softly enough for me to hear in the rain.

''Of course, I don't talk to strangers! What do you take me for? A fool? It's just because you're bleeding and I just can't leave a injured person without an aid! Excuse me for that but - Why are you laughing at me?'' I stopped rumbling as soon as I heard the man chuckle.

''I apologize,'' he smiled and then clutched his stomach once more before removing his hood from his head to reveal a face which was carved to perfection. Even in the dark, I could see his strong jaw with pale thin lips as he ran his long slender fingers through his wet hair. I was staring at him while he asked me,

''Talking about aid, I don't know how long I am going to keep bleeding. I take it you're inviting me to your place so it is far from here?''

Would it be alright to take this man home?   Taking into account that he hadn't tried attacking me yet, I spoke.

''My apartment isn't that far from here. Can you walk?" I asked him to which the man looked at me. His eyes were glowing and I didn't know what he is thinking, but when he stood up straight I felt his answer was yes and I took him to my house.