The Witness He Loved

Welcome To America

CHAPTER 1

Welcome To America

I tightened my grip on the handle of my suitcase and school bag as I stepped out of the airport. I didn’t want anyone snatching anything from me.

The air was cold, so I stood for a moment to inhale and exhale the nice air of the united state of America as it hit me.

I smiled. “Finally,” I whispered.

The scholarship had brought me here, and despite everything that had happened back home, I was determined to make the most of this opportunity.

I adjusted my backpack and took out my phone to check the university address again.

Today was orientation day and I can’t afford to be late.

The university had sent several emails stating how important it was for new students to attend.

A message popped up. Orientation had already started.

Great, I was already late on my first day.

Then I hailed a yellow cab. He put my box in the trunk.

“Westbridge University ,” I said climbing onto the back seat.

“You new here,” he asked

“Yes.”

The driver didn’t speak much, so I assumed he was simply focused on driving. Ten minutes passed, twenty minutes passed, thirty minutes passed, and he was still driving.

I looked at my phone, according to the map, the drive wasn’t supposed to be this long. I became restless.

I glanced outside, building’s were becoming fewer and fewer.

I leaned forward.

“Sir are you sure you know the place?”

He didn’t answer and just continued driving

“Excuse me.”

He still didn’t answer, his eyes met mine on the rear view mirror, I looked away.

I sat back down and looked at the map then at outside, we seem to be going in the opposite direction of the university.

“I think we are going in the wrong direction. You know what , I think I will get another taxi, just stop,” I said and reached for the door handle and pulled. It was locked.

Panic rose inside of me.

I tried the second one, it was locked too.

“Why is the door locked open the door,” I yelled.

I pushed him from behind and he almost lost control. The car swerved off the road and stopped .

I hit the door, but he didn’t answer me.

The driver suddenly laughed.

Then he reached beside his seat.

“Shhhh,” he said and brought out a knife, then he closed the windows.

The driver turned slightly.

“Sit quietly and maybe you won’t get hurt.”

“Your bag,” he said stretching his hand with the knife.

“No!”

Driven by my survival instinct, I swung my bag at him without thinking, but got cut in my arm and the knife fell.

Pain shot through my arm, I screamed. Warm blood trickled down my skin.

The driver grabbed me by the hand, and I fought back desperately.

He wanted to pick up the knife again, but I punched, scratched and kicked hard.

“Stop fighting!” he barked.

“No!”

Using every ounce of strength I had, i drove my foot into his side.

The kick caught him off guard.

He cursed loudly, then he yanked open the door beside him and dragged me out.

I hit the ground hard.

“ouch,” I groaned In pain.

“You little witch!” he yelled.

Blood trickled down the scratches on his face.

“You’re lucky I don’t have time for this,” he spat.

Then he jumped back into the taxi and drove off, leaving me with only my backpack.

I lay tiredly on the ground, tears filled my eyes, as I covered my face and cried.

This wasn’t how my first day in America was supposed to be.

Orientation was probably over by now. What if I missed something important? What if this affected my scholarship?

I cried for a minute, then stopped, because crying wouldn’t solve anything, I need to find my way back.

I checked my injury, it wasn’t deep but it stung, so I tore the sleeve of my shirt and wrapped it around my bleeding arm.

I took out my phone. One percent battery. Before I could do anything, it died.

Great, Maria. First day in America and your phone has already joined the list of things abandoning you, I muttered to myself.

Then I stood and started walking.

I walked for a while until I reached a main road. It was already dark, and my legs were aching from exhaustion. Across the road, bright lights caught my attention.

It was a bar.

Exhausted, I crossed the road and sat on a bench outside.

Music and laughter drifted from inside as people came and went through the entrance.

A few people stared as they passed, I lowered my head and wrapped my arms around myself. Some wore flashy outfits for partying, some laughed loudly, some stumbled from too much alcohol, others argued with their friends. The smell of cigarette smoke hung in the air.

A few minutes later, loud laughter erupted nearby. Three drunk men stumbled out of the bar.

One of them whistled.

“Well, look what we have here.”

I ignored him. Another man sat beside me.

I shifted away.

“Don’t be shy, sweetheart.”

A rough hand suddenly grabbed her wrist. I jerked away immediately.

“Leave me alone!” I yelled and started walking away.

The men laughed. I quickened my pace, hoping they would leave me alone.

Before I knew it, I was grabbed by my hair.

Pain shot through my scalp.

“Let go!”

I struggled to loosen their grip, but it wasn’t working

No one came to help, they just passed.

The men began dragging me toward the side of the building.

“Help!” i screamed.

“Somebody help me!”

No one came.

Then a voice cut through the night.

“Let her go.”

The men stopped, and we all turned.

A tall young man stood a few feet away, and two people were behind him, a girl and a boy

His hands were buried inside his pockets.

One of the drunk men laughed.

“Mind your business, kid.” Then they grabbed me again and tried pulling me away

“We’ve called the cops,” the girl behind him said.

The men ignored her.

Before anyone could react, his fist connected with one of the men’s head from behind

The man crashed to the ground.

We all turned.

The young man glanced at the others.

“I wasn’t asking.”