Valentine

Chapter Three - Elizabeth

“So what are we going to do then?” William’s ignorance toward the town of Meyerton was cute.

“I was being serious, you know. This town is one long street that leads to a highway that could take you too much better places.” I replied. We’d already driven down the only street with any notable features to it. The rest of the town only had plots of land where farmers came to die. There truly was nothing there for anyone; especially not an actor from New York who wasn't clear on his intentions.

The more I thought about it, I wasn’t sure why I accepted William’s invitation to going around town that evening. I wasn’t stupid enough to get into the car with someone I didn’t trust, but it was a different kind of day. The kind where I wanted to run away and never look back. I knew I couldn’t, and I didn’t plan on doing it to my parents, even after everything they put me through. It was just an escapist daydream.

“You know you’re beautiful, right?” William asked. The compliment came while we sat alone in his car. He’d taken me for ice cream. After the realization that there really wasn’t anything better to do here, we settled on a small snack before he would return me home.

"I do," I replied, a cheeky wink following. I don’t know why I did that, right after a tension washed over me, and it only grew stronger by a hand that William lazily rested on my right leg, “What are you doing?”

“Just getting comfortable.” His reply, squeezing my thigh. The evening sun disappeared over the mountains ahead of us, while we sat outside the only diner that offered ice cream, “Lick it.”

“What?” I looked at the ice cream in my hands.

“Lick it. Show me what you can do.” Turning to face William, the tension was replaced with disgust. Now knowing what he was trying to insinuate, I felt like a fool. Why would some big shot actor want anything to do with a small town girl?

"I think I should go," I said, reaching for the lock on his car. I felt lost in this situation, never experiencing anything like it before. A small town like this doesn’t offer much privacy to the patrons. Everyone knows everyone. Hell, I knew the waitress that served us our ice creams, the till worker and even the young girl that stood beside him. The issue was, apart from them, and one other patron, dressed all in black, there was no one around to offer service.

“Don’t do that. Let me take you home.” William’s hand reached over mine, to keep the lock pinned down. My nervousness growing ever stronger.

“I don’t want to come with you. Let me go.” I shouted.

“I don’t think that’s a wise move on either of our parts. It’s late. Something bad might happen to you.” The implications of his words struck deep.

Suddenly I saw him again. The man dressed all in black, fiddling with his coat, pulling the collar up, doing his best James Dean. He looked from side to side, inspecting his surroundings, before drawing a cigarette from his pocket; striking it up. William continued spluttering something, but I wasn’t paying much attention. I was scared, I wanted to get out of there; I couldn’t handle that situation.

And when the mysterious stranger out in the distance turned to face me in the car, I finally broke down.

“Help. Please help.” I shouted, William’s hand having already fallen on my shoulder, holding me from getting free. He started the car and revved the engine. I wondered if the man could hear my screams.

The only sign that he did, was a look. An expression which showed both sympathies and gave off a sense of I can’t do anything. Sorry. Not that he could, the car already began reversing from its parking spot, and the only hint of an attempt was the stranger dropping his cigarette and stomping it.

But I didn’t see another car, so what then could he do to help?

He couldn’t chase us down in a valiant effort to save me. I was alone in this and I knew that I wasn’t going to step away from it easily. It was one of those things. The tough girl attitude betrayed by an obvious sense of weakness.

“Where do you stay?” To my surprise, the question came from William.

"I'll direct you," I replied. Maybe I was lucky and this wouldn't be as bad as I thought.

"I just need to make one last stop before we go any further." And just like that, it all came washing back. It was only after a long silence that his statement came. My suspicions did not betray me. I was in true danger and there was no way of avoiding it.

When the car pulled off on the side of a street even I didn’t recognize, there was nothing good going through my mind. William’s hand found its way to my thigh again, this time higher than before, rubbing and squeezing the tender meat.

“I’ll destroy you if you try this.” I spat in determination.

“Who do you think they’re going to believe? Some backwater b***h from the middle of nowhere or a famous star? Just let it happen and give up on it. You’re not going to enjoy it if you don’t just give in.” William leaned in, meeting a solid fist. I couldn’t think of anything else to do, so I did what my father taught me. Fight or flight were the only options and for a girl, fleeing was harder than fighting.

“What the hell?” He shouted, retreating for a moment. He inspected his face, blood poured from his nose.

“You bitch.” I knew that any attempt at kindness would not subdue what was coming. He leaned over the center console and smacked my head against the passenger window. I felt dazed and wanted to cry. Now there was nothing but fear that clung to me. His weight was too much to break free from, and with the awkward angle in which he held me, I struggled to move.

“You’re going to enjoy it. Just let it happen. I’m famous. This is every girl’s dream.” He added.

“No, stop. Don’t do this.” I replied.

And then, to my surprise. He screamed.

The mysterious stranger stood outside the car.