SELENE WOODS

CHAPTER 8

"Ma'am, here's your room card. It's on the sixth floor." - The front desk

attendant spoke softly, her voice meekly polite.

"Thanks!!." - Alex flashed a quick smile, taking the card off her hands.

He turned, his eyes darting from me to the luggage. "Selene, here's your room card. I'll just have these luggage sent ahead." - He paused, flashing a quick smile my way.

"Thanks, Alex. I do appreciate your help so far." - My lips curved in a faint, polite smile as i reached out for the small card. "You should be on your way, it's quite late."

He chuckled drily, his hands ruffling his hair as he gazed at me awkwardly. "I guess so. Then i'll be bidding you goodnight, then."

I bowed softly, watching his receding back as he walked out of the hotel.

A sigh escaped my lips, my gaze caught by the dark, starry sky. It's a wonderful night to spend outdoors........

"Could i perhaps..... check in at a later time. I'll love to go on a stroll for a bit." - I turned sharply, dropping my room card on the attendant's desk.

She widened her eyes, blinking her lashes rapidly like she'd been flustered. "Why.....sure. You can." - She paused, "But, it's usually not safe out there this late."

" I'll be back before you know it."

.......................................

The chilly, night breeze blew through my hair as i took a walk , gazing at the night's sky.

Sidewalks were filled with people, a whole lot and that made it easy to bump into others unexpectedly. Almost too easy.

I buried my cold hands into my coat's pocket - seeking warmth while my mind wandered to thoughts of Jason. I always thought of him as my past, never realizing that he had somehow become my present and future.

Afterall, i wouldn't be here if not for him. I hadn't quite assumed that revenge wasn't as easy as pie.

Time was quietly slipping away and i am yet to actually plan out anything. It just seemed like i was walking around in circles - always returning to the point i'd started from. The thought of it made me sigh in exasperation.

"Ouch!!" - I hissed , rubbing my head furiously.

I was so lost in thought, i bumped into something hard or rather......someone. I paused, taking a few steps back. I stared at this figure, silently consoling myself that this situation was unavoidable and that i could walk around him.

Yes!. Just apologize, and go our separate ways. Such a simple plan - What could possibly go wrong?.

We stood, neither moving. But i could easily notice the man's panicked frenzy - always glancing over his shoulders with anxious eyes, like he was being chased and needed to run away.

He had his right hand gripped around his side, a painful grimace etched on his face.

I bit my lower lip, my patience thinning out. Since he wasn't intending leave, i might as well do the honors of side-stepping him.

Well, that's a perfect plan. That was until i found myself unable to take a next step, something seemed to tug at my arm.

No.... It felt more like a strong grip than a casual tug. " Damn it!." - I cursed softly, trying every possible means to free up my arm. The more i pulled, the more his grip tightened.

It was utterly useless.

I widened my eyes,fear creeping beneath my skin. Slowly, i glanced past my shoulder, staring at the strange man gripping my arm. This time, his eyes settled on me - Those intense,green eyes that seemed to glow.

They were staring at me, quickly sending my brain into a fight or flight mode. But i preferred the latter.

"Help me!!" - He parted his pale,cracked lips.... voice hoarse as he spoke.

I looked at him, sealing my lips between my teeth. Panic surged through every vein in my body, i wanted to flee....but he was the only one holding me back.

"Please....help me,Miss." - He spoke fluent french, muffling a low groan. He hunched over, leaning on me for support while he gritted his teeth.

Play dumb...... play dumb......play dumb....play dumb!!

I stayed mute, masking my inner panic. For all it's worth, this man could be a gangsta or part of a mafia. Worse still, part of a drug kingpin.....i really didn't want to get mixed up with the likes of them.

I heard him mutter a faint curse. Then he grabbed my arm, pulling my through the crowds, running. His long legs covering many distances and me having to stumble behind him cus i couldn't keep up.

I glanced over my shoulders, my hair flailing in the wind as i tried keeping up with this stranger's pace. Heavens,i wished i hadn't done that, but i just had to be a curious kitty.

Several men dressed in black were after us in hot pursuit, and the ammunition in their hands clearly said that they weren't here to play. I picked up my pace, sprinting more than i usually would.

We ran a few meters, before cutting into a dark, alleyway, hiding behind a dumpster. With the darkness cloaking us, i was certain they couldn't find us here.

Parting my lips, i inhaled more air than i would - running that long had sapped out my breath. The strange male on the other hand, didn't seem to be in a good condition.

He kept wheezing, finding it hard to catch his breath.

"Hello...?!" - I waved my hands in front of his face, trying to get his attention. "Are you okay?" - I paused, listening to his heavy breathing.

"Hospital......" - His voice came out low and weak, almost fading.

And then, it fell silent. I switched on my phone's flashlight, casting the bright glow on his pale face. A thin layer of sweat coated his skin and his lips had turned a frigid,shade of purple - He's condition seemed critical.

I shut my eyes, quietly contemplating my current situation - I knew it, this was entirely a bad idea. I quickly dialled emergency services, my hands trembling from the fright while trying to determine his situation.

I stared at the unconscious man - He'd better not die on me.