Chapter 2:The White Van
913 Words
"You might wanna rethink that one, buddy." The voice comes from behind and I almost sag with relief.
Mark!
My co-worker is the only reason I've lasted this long working here. Mark is twenty-five and a lone wolf–literally. For some reason, he's never claimed pack ties and in my books, that is commendable. To others, he has a death wish.
Stopping beside the booth without a word, he radiates unmistakable dominance and I catch the other weres shooting each other doubtful looks.
Mark turns piercing blue eyes on me.
"Are you okay?" He murmurs slowly, a note of concern lingering in his tone.
"I'm fine," I rush to assure him. "He didn't do anything." I don't add 'yet' but the unspoken word resonates loudly in the room.
"Fun time's over," he firmly states, facing the weres. "Pay and leave. Now."
Their leader chuckles dismissively. "Stay out of this, lone dog. It doesn't concern you."
He expects Mark to cower or better yet, bow out and leave me at his mercy. Mark does none of those things. He is unwavering, unflinching, as he stares each of them down in turn. The silence stretches, taut as a rubber band, and the wolves shift uncomfortably.
The tension shatters when the leader laughs again and tosses a couple of notes on the table.
"Fine. We were just leaving." To me, he leans closer, his breath fanning across my face. "This isn't over, baby. I'll be seeing you."
The door slams shut after them and my knees buckle.
"Hey." Mark sounds softer now. His hand hovers over my shoulder, as if debating touching me. "You okay? You look a little pale."
I nod repetitively, trying to still my shaking hands. The adrenalin leaves my body faster than it came and suddenly, all I feel is bone-deep exhaustion.
"Yeah, thanks for stepping in. That was...scary."
"You handled it like a champ, ninja." The teasing tilt to his lips falls when he notices the forming bruises from where that brute had grabbed me.
"I hate that this is what you have to endure, Jessie. I've got half a mind to follow those bastards and snap their necks in half." He growls, glaring out the window.
Heat blooms low in my stomach at the threat. I try as much as possible to not let my attraction to Mark show, but when he's defending my honor, it's kind of difficult not to.
"It's okay," my cheeks pinken as I rush to say. "You don't have to do that."
"I'm walking you home." His final tone books no room for argument.
And this is the other reason why the tall, handsome man in front of me is so irresistable: he makes me feel safe. He's stronger, more confident, everything I'm not, and the fact he's willing to go to bat for me speaks volumes on what type of man he is.
I acquiesce with a nod. I'd be stupid to refuse the offer, what with weres prowling the night.
We lock up the shop and begin our walk in the light drizzle. The fear doesn't really go away, though. Every sound has my ears prickling, every shadow has me flinching.
He must notice how nervous I am because he begins to talk to me about anything and everything. In no time, he has me laughing and chattering excitedly, the tension from earlier forgotten.
"I'm glad to see that beautiful smile on your face." He says, eyes roving over my face as we stop in front of my building.
I blush a deep red as I fidget with the sleeves of my top, unsure of how to handle the complement.
"Thank you. For walking me home. And for...what you said." I manage to get out over my suddenly large tongue.
"I don't like this place." He surveys the run-down building housing my equally run-down apartment with something akin to disgust.
"Lock the doors, Jessie. If you need anything, you have my number. Use it."
I offer up a mock salute while whispering, "Yes, Sir. Whatever you say."
Mark's eyes darken with heat so intense, it knocks me a step back.
"Keep being sassy and I might just give you what you're begging for, Sweetheart."
Holy–
My brain shuts down, and I stare stupidly at him for what seems to be an eternity before I order my legs to move and flee up the stairs.
Don't ask him what it means, don't ask...
I fumble with my keys, his hot gaze burning into the back of my neck when I hear it.
Tires screeching.
My instincts come alive, blaring like an alarm. It warns me that something is awfully wrong. It tells me to hurry.
I don't listen to it and I dearly pay the price.
A white van, doors unlatched, screeches to a stop right in front of me.
Mark realizes what is about to happen too little too late.
"Jessie!" He yells, reaching for me but hands as strong as iron are already clamping unto me. A cloth which reeks of chemicals and wolfsbane is slammed down over my mouth and nose and I scream, clawing and kicking and fighting with everything I have to escape my assailants.
My struggle is of no use. The odious smells of the chemical overwhelm my senses; I can feel myself slipping into unconsciousness.
No! I have to... have to save... Mark!
Can't...let them...take...me...
"Night night, Sweetheart."
The world tilts and everything goes black.
- Writer
