Stranded

Chapter 3

It was a beautiful evening, and the sun was setting over the city. David was standing outside the restaurant,

nervously checking his watch every few minutes. He was excited about his date with Anna, and he couldn't wait to see her.

He was wondering why she was running late so he decided to walk and check if she would be in sight but as he looked around the street, something caught his eye.

He saw Anna, but she was hugging a guy, so he decided to go up to them.

"What are you doing George", Anna stepped away from him"

"Sorry I was just so happy to see you, It's just a friendly hug, it's nothing to worry about, I only missed you," he said to her

At that moment David came in and held my hand, I turned to face him, surprised

"Dave" I looked up to him

" Hi Anna" he kissed my cheek

I smiled

And introduced him to George

"Dave, this is George, remember him"?

"Of course I do", he said

"Hello David, long time," he said giving him the look and stretching his hand for a shake

David took it reluctantly

"Sorry George, we have to leave now, We have somewhere to be," David said to George, and he nodded, and we left.

"I want my hug too", he said teasing me

"Oh mister, I'm sorry you saw that, I was surprised by the hug, don't be jealous," I said laughing

"Jealous?, I'm not M'am"

I looked at him, and gave him a kiss

"It won't happen again, baby"

George watched us from afar with a clenched fist and angry.

It was a very lovely date, David treated me well and I loved the dish served, we had steak wine, and pizza and then we decided to go to the playground and have fun.

It was getting late, so we left for home, I told him how much fun I had, and he was happy I did too.

"Let's go to the park tomorrow," he said over the phone

"Yeah that would be cool, goodnight Dave"

"Night Anna".

Then my phone rang, I was surprised that George was calling that late at night, so I picked it up.

"Anna, my love, why can't you love me? Can't you see how much I love you, David is not for you" he started

"Are you drunk? I thought you'd move on from this, What's wrong with you" I said to him

"Hold on Anna, I care about you, I…."

I hung up the call

"What's wrong with this guy"

I sighed and went to bed.

"The sun was setting over the London skyline, casting a golden glow over the city.

David and I were sitting on a park bench, watching the sunset together. We've been friends since childhood, and now, as adults and a couple, our bond is stronger than ever.

I leaned into David, resting her head on his shoulder. David wrapped his arm around her and smiled, feeling grateful for her friendship and love.

As we both sat in comfortable silence, a shadow fell over them.

They looked up to see George standing there, his face twisted in anger.

'What are you doing with my Anna?' he demanded, glaring at David.

David stood up surprised, putting himself between George and Anna.

"Anna is her person"

he said, his voice calm but firm.

"She can choose who she wants to be with, and she doesn't need your permission

And what's the matter with you, we're together, isn't it time you let go, didn't Texas teach you anything?

George's eyes flashed with fury. He took a step towards David, his fists clenched.

As George took another step towards David, I stood up.

"Enough," I said, my voice shaking but determined. This is not what I want.

Please, just leave us alone, what's the matter with you and what's this sudden odd behavior?

George's eyes darted between David and Anna, his jaw clenched.

Then, with a snarl, he turned and stalked away.

David let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He turned to me, concern in his eyes. "Are you okay?' he asked, taking her hand in his.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. nodded, giving David a weak smile.

"I'm fine," I said. It's just… George has always been possessive.

I thought he'd move on by now, but I guess not".

David's brow furrowed. "We need to be careful,' he said. He seemed unhinged. I don't want him to hurt you".'

"I know", I said

"Let's leave," I said.

We left there and went to class.

David was walking down the hall at school when he heard shouting coming from around the corner.

He knew that voice - it was Tommy, my younger brother. David ran around the corner to find Tommy surrounded by bullies.

"Hey!" he yelled. "Leave him alone!" The bullies turned to look at him, their eyes wide, and ran away.

"Tommy, are you okay?" Tommy nodded, clearly shaken up by the experience.

"I'll walk you to class."

"You need to learn to stand up for yourself, If you don't, they will keep taunting you and we don't want that alright

"Thanks, David, don't tell Anna, I wouldn't want her to be worried, don't worry. I will start standing up for myself"

"That's my big boy" " Okay. But if it's hard on you, you let me know okay?

"No problem, David"

"Let me take you home".

It was a sunny afternoon, and I was walking home from class.

Lost in thought when I heard footsteps behind me, I turned around to see George walking towards me, a nervous expression on his face.

"Hey, Anna," he said, his voice hesitant. I just wanted to talk to you."

My heart was racing, and I looked around but no one was in sight.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk to him, but I knew I had to hear what he had to say.

"Look, I know I've been a bit of a jerk in the past", George said, his voice full of sincerity.

"I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable. I just want to be a good friend to you, I'm sorry for all that happened, I wasn't myself, Can we start over?

I just nodded my head, Well I decided to just forgive him, at least he's apologizing, and he seemed sincere.

I told David about our conversation but he wasn't that convinced about his apology and sudden change but just decided to let it go for me.

There was no class the next day, Aunt gave me some money to go and get some things that had run out in the house.

As I was coming back from the shopping,

I noticed a black van following me. I picked up my pace, but the van kept pace with me.

Suddenly, the van pulled over and two men jumped out and dragged me into the van.

I tried to scream, but one of the men covered my mouth.

I could hear the van driving away, and then everything went black.

When I woke up, I was in a dark room.

My lips were taped my hands were bound, and I shrieked.

Two men were in the room, they told me to keep quiet and that even if I screamed, no one would hear.

Back at home, the search for me started and everyone was going crazy looking for me. Aunt had gone to report the case to the cops.

Dave was the craziest, he searched every nook and cranny for me, calling out to me.

It was the next morning and the search still resumed, news of me missing had circulated.

David got a call from an unknown caller.

"Hello, Hello"

"Listen very carefully, a husky voice said. "If you want to see Anna, unhurt

You need to come to the location sent to you, Come alone, we've got our eyes everywhere,

Any smart move from you and she's gone.

Without thinking twice David made his way to the location, When he got there, and went into the main building.

He saw a lady on the floor, a sack was over her head, she couldn't speak cause her lips were sealed."Anna"!

David ran to her and hugged her, he thought it was me.

The lady was shrieking, shaking her head, when he turned, he was hit on the head and he fell unconscious.

"Mission one accomplished", a voice said over the phone