Lies, Betrayal, And Love

A Dangerous Encounter

I hit the cold water hard, going straight underwater. This was a terrible idea. Why didn't I listen to that guy? Oh well, it is too late to reflect on my actions. The water is constantly taking me under. No clue where I'm being swept off to. All I know is it will all be over soon. I start to give up until I hear a voice yelling out.

Stranger: Where are you?!

Did he actually jump in after me? What the f**k? Is he crazy? Why would he do that for me? A complete stranger? Truthfully though, I'm not ready to give up on life. I started swimming towards his voice.

Me: I'm here!

The water takes me back under. I changed my mind. I'm not ready to give up just yet. I quickly resurfaced. I'm trying hard to look for him but can't due to the pouring rain, the dark sky, and the water constantly hitting me in the face. I kept swimming towards him. Hoping I reach him before the cold water takes me with it.

Me: I'm here.

Stranger: I'm coming.

Please, please, please don't let this be the end for me. I keep swimming. Desperately grasping for air as I keep going under. I feel something tightly gripping my arm. It's him. He shakes the water out of his face.

Stranger: Got you princess.

I held him tightly.

Me: I should have listened to you. I was stupid.

Stranger: Well, I got you now. That's all that matters now. Stay close.

The water continues to carry us downstream. We have to make it to land. I don't know where the river leads. I need to stay close and follow his lead. I nod ferociously. I followed his lead and started swimming in the same direction as him. I am suddenly struck in the head by something hard. I no longer feel his touch.

Shit! All I had to do was pay attention and stick to him. Now I'm really going to die. I feel something grip me once more. I feel myself slowly slipping under the water. Something is pulling at me. I feel my body being dragged. Once my body is still, I start coughing up water. I turned over to see him breathing hard.

Me: Are you OK?

Stranger: Yeah I'm fine. You?

Me: Yeah, thanks to you.

Stranger: Good.

I lay back down. Trying to catch my breath. Occasionally glancing over at him. His face looks......different. A bit shorter. But I still can't believe he saved my life. Risking his own safety for an i***t like me. I feel so embarrassed. I sprung up and ran off.

Stranger: Hey. Where are you going?!

Me: Thanks again.

God, I must seem so ungrateful. But I don't want him to see me like this. I keep running. No idea where I'm going in these dark woods. But I just keep running. When I think I'm far enough, I start crying my eyes out.

I must be near a road because I see several cars driving by. It must have been all the cars that stopped on the bridge earlier for him. Checking to make sure he's OK. Not too long after they are leaving, but one particular car is driving slowly. That's the car he got out of earlier. He must be looking for me. I went behind a tree. It stops. Only the two other guys step out. I can't make out their faces too well. I saw him walking up to them. He takes his shirt off and shakes his hair again. Can't really tell, but he looks like he has an amazing body. I shake my head. I shouldn't be thinking about that. They all spark up a cigarette. They start speaking. I can't make out anything being said. Lots of hand gestures are being made. I did manage to hear a few things only because they got loud.

Stranger 2: What the f**k?! Who does that?

Stranger 3: Yeah, she should be lucky you saved her.

I knew it. I can feel the tears forming. I knew I was going to seem ungrateful if I did that. But he defends me to them. I quickly and quietly try to get closer so I can hear whatever else is being said. Hopefully nothing crazy like trying to find and kill me.

Stranger: She had a long day. I don't blame her. I just wish she would have talked to me. She seems like a nice girl. I wouldn't mind getting to know her. I'll see her again.

Stranger 3:How do you know that?

Stranger: Her necklace got caught on my jacket when I was saving her.

I start frantically feeling at my neck and chest. My locket isn't there. He holds up something, but I can't make it out. I automatically assume it's my locket. I wanted to run for it, but I stopped myself. If I don't get it back now, I'll probably never see it again.

Stranger: Well, I popped it by accident. I was trying to get it off so I could give it to her. I can't give it back broken. Let's head home. I'll take it to Lumie's in the morning to get it fixed.

Stranger 2: I'll take it. Mimi likes me. She have it done in like 5 minutes.

They finish up their cigarettes and hop back in the car. They drive off, leaving me alone in the darkness.

I have to get my locket back. I went to pull my phone out to search for Lumie's. Ugh! Of course, my phone is water-damaged. I completely forgot it was in my pocket when I decided to jump in the water. What's even worse is I have no money to buy a new one. Now I'm without a phone, homeless, and my locket is gone. Can this day get any worse?

I gathered myself and started walking the way they drove. I'm shivering from the cold. I know I'm going to be sick in the morning if I don't find a place to get warm. After what feels like hours of walking, I reach a town. It's pretty dead. Not one car insight. Hmmm. What's with this ghost town? Does anyone live here? I spot a group of people walking my way. I hide on the side of a building. I hope they didnt see me. I already feel uncomfortable. Not only am I in a town I don't know, but imagine how these people would feel with a stranger lurking in the streets late at night. I peek around the corner. I don't see them. They must have entered one of the buildings. I heard a trash can lid fall and looked back. I see a cat scurry off. I let out a sigh of relief. I turn back around to see if the coast is clear.

Suddenly, I felt something on my shoulder. I slowly turned around.

Creepy guy: Well, well, well. What do we have here?

Creepy guy 2: Looks like a stray that doesn't belong. A wet, mangy one at that.

Creepy girl: Jeez. You look like s**t. Did your boyfriend break up with you?

I say no, but my voice starts cracking. She laughs even harder.

Me: I was just leaving.

Creepy girl: Oh no you not. You'll be our friend tonight.

The two guys start snickering. The girl starts tugging at my hand. She pulled towards an apartment building with the two guys in tow. I try to pull away, but her grip is tight. Her nails are digging into my flesh. We finally reached the building, walking straight to the elevators. Why would they bring me here? I get why the guys would. But a girl? Still trying to pull away, she yanks my arm and gives me the nastiest look. I refuse to walk anymore. She yanks my arm once more. This time almost yanking it out the socket. My anger finally reaches its limits. I pulled my free arm back, yelled hey, and slapped her hard across the face.

Me: I said let me go.

She grabs her face. She turns towards me with a look of death in her eyes. She nods to the guys and they grab both my arms. I try screaming at the top of my lungs, but she covers my mouth so that way that no one in the apartment can hear. Luckily, three guys happened to be in the elevator that opened up.

One is really tall, about 6'2, dark complexion, short black hair, light brown eyes, kinda handsome with tattoos and muscles for days. Looks like he'll snap your neck. You look at him funny. The other guy is about 6'0, olive complexion, nice build, long brown hair, blue eyes, definitely gorgeous, tattoos on both arms. And the last one is on the short side, about 5'18, with short blonde hair, pretty built for his size. Silverish green eyes, a tattoo on his neck and one arm completely covered in tattoos. The girl shoots a flirty smile at them and we step in the elevator. Two of the guys have their eyes locked on me. I stare back, hoping they notice I don't wanna be here.

They don't. The elevator closes. I'm f****d now. Abruptly, the elevator door opens back up, revealing the three guys that just got off. The blonde guy speaks.

Blonde Stranger: Oh s**t. Kimmy, is that you? I didn't recognize you. When did you arrive in town? I heard you weren't coming until tomorrow.

I stand there puzzled. Is he talking to me?

Blonde Stranger: Hello? Earth to Kimmy.

He waves his hand in my face. I take this as my chance to escape these creeps.

Me: Oh...uh....hey long time no see.

I started walking towards him when suddenly the girl threw her arm out in front of me.

Creepy girl: Kimmy already has plans for the night with her bestie.

Blonde Stranger: Oh really? Because this is her first time here. How do you guys know each other?

Creepy girl: We go way back.

Tatted Stranger: Uh- huh. Where is she from?

She stands there looking dumbfounded. Then a smile spread across her face. She proceeds to reach for the close button on the elevator. He uses his foot to stop the door from closing.

Stranger: Well, we'll join you.

Creepy girl: No one invited you.

Tatted Stranger: Well, we wanna see kimmy and, since she made plans, we'll tag along.

They stepped into the elevator. She rolls her eyes and presses the five for the 5th floor. Now all seven of us are packed in the elevator. The dark-haired guy with the tattoos presses the four, then pulls his phone out. When it gets to the 4th floor, he gets off. The door closed back, and we continued to the 5th floor.

Creepy girl: Where'd your friend go?

Blonde Stranger: He has family that lives here. He wanted to visit them.

Alas, we reached the 5th floor and all got off. We followed the girl to her apartment. She flings the door open and gestures for us to go in. I hesitate to go in. The scary one goes in while the other stays outside.

Blonde Stranger: I'll be in. Just gotta make a call.

She rolls her eyes once more, then closes the door. His scary friend gives me a hug as if we know each other.

Buff Stranger: I missed you Kimmy.

Moments later when they don't pay attention, he whispers in my ear "we'll get you out of here".

I widened my eyes and pushed back. I looked him in the eyes. He winks at me. I don't know what to say, so I just nod my head. Seconds later his friend is coming through the door.

Blonde Stranger: Had to call a family member.

A knock on the door occurs moments later.

Creepy girl: Who the hell is at my door?

She flings the door open. It's his other friend. She lets him in.

Tatted Stranger: Alright, that's our que. We'll be leaving and taking the girl with us.

He grabs my hand, and we head for the door. She rushes to the door and blocks it.

Creepy girl: I said she's not going anywhere!

Tatted Stranger: Oh yeah. Who's gonna stop me?

Creepy girl: my boys and I will.

She snaps her fingers. She looks back and sees her boys are in no position to stop anything. His scary friend has both of them by their throats. There's another knock on the door.

Buff Stranger: I'd be more worried about who's knocking now.

Once again, she flings open the door. This time she freezes. A tall, olive-coloured, brunette in a tank top with a red flannel shirt over it and shorts is standing there.

Strange girl: Still causing problems I see.

She inches back as the girl is inching forward. She refuses to take her eyes off the girl. I didn't think she would be scared of anyone. But this girl has her so scared, she trips over her own feet.

Strange girl: He said he was taking the girl.

She nods her head vigorously.

She looks at me and says be more careful next time. I nod my head in agreement.

Stranger: Thanks Lily. I owe you one.

Lilly: You're good. Just keep her safe.

He leads me out of the apartment, to the elevator, and out of the building. I start crying.

Tatted Stranger: It's OK. You're safe. Now you owe me a favor.

Great I got out of one bad situation to enter another one. Before he tells me the favor, he pulls his phone out and makes a call. He steps away. Here is my chance to make a break for it. I wait for the perfect moment when his voice invades my thoughts.

Tatted Stranger: Don't even think about making a run for it. I have something of interest you might want to stick around for. If that doesn't keep you here, then they will.

He points behind me where his two friends are standing. Great, now I'm really f****d.