UNFORTUNATE

Chapter 3

Waving him off, she waited until there was no chance he was still around. She was still in her pyjamas, but that was the least of her concerns. People were arguing outside the room, their snide remarks piercing through the thin walls. Cars pulled in and out of the parking lot at a steady rate. No one paid any attention when she slipped out of the motel room, looking around for help.

A telephone booth was five yards away. Pulling the phone towards her, a deadline was the only sound on the other end. It was broken. Slamming the phone back down, she leant against the booth wall. Leanna just wanted to know was if her parents were okay. They were all that mattered. All that she had left in the world.

Farther away there was a gas station. Getting across the parking lot would be painful without shoes, but she could do it. She had to do it. Looking around once more, the coast seemed clear. What should have been a short walk turned into an agonizing five-minute stumble. Gravel dug into her feet, cutting the fragile skin. The tattoo on her ankle was a constant insult thrown back in her face. Soulmate or no, she was going to punch him as soon as an opportunity presented itself.

Bells tinkled when the gas station doors opened. Several curious eyes glanced up, wanting to see who just entered the store. A feeling of unease settled over her when an elderly man's eyes travelled further than she would have liked. He returned his attention to the bags of chips lining a shelf. The clerk mumbled out a greeting before turning back to the small television on the counter.

Taking a deep breath, Leanna stepped up to the clerk. His eyes wandered from the static-infested TV program to her face. Boredom was coming off of him in waves as he reached over to shut off the screen.

"Can I help you with something?" he drawled.

Nodding, she placed both hands on the filthy counter. "I need a phone, it's an emergency."

The clerk stared with glazed-over eyes. "Telephone booth's outside, across the parking lot."

"Well it doesn't work. So, do you have another one? Please, I really need to use one."

Wandering-eyes with the chip bag strutted over to her side. "Hiya, darling. I can give you a ride to wherever it is you need to go." His eyes seemed to convulse in what may have been an attempt at a wink.

Hardly containing a moan of disgust, she opened her mouth to answer. "That won't be necessary, she's with me." The one voice she did not want to hear spoke from behind her. Being temporarily distracted, she hadn't heard him come in.

Apparent-Soulmate grabbed her by the arm, hauling her out of the store. Fury was burned into his face when he turned back to face her. "What did I say? Never mind," he barked when she went to respond. "We're going back to the room, now."

Without waiting for approval, he bent over to pick her up. Throwing her over his shoulder, his hand brushed against her exposed legs. Heat rushed to her face as embarrassment took over. None of the people standing around paid them any attention, despite her silent pleas for help with her eyes.

They stepped into the dreaded motel room, him throwing her down on the bed. Leanna landed with so much force she bounced off and onto the floor. A smirk appeared on the man's face before he turned around to slam the door shut.

She still didn't know his name. And that was annoying her more than it should have. Sitting up, she got to her feet. They glared at each other from across the room.

"You know, I can just scream for help right now and end this," she said. "The walls are thin, someone will come."

He snorted while turning to lock the door. "I can shut you up before that happens."

Biting her lip, Leanna took a seat on the lone bed in the room. While a huge part of her longed to make a snide remark, she held her tongue.

"Listen, I don't have the time to concern myself with you. I have other things to do."

"Then why the hell did you even take me from my house?" she yelled. "Actually, while we're on the subject, what is going on? My family and I didn't do anything!"

Rubbing his temples, the man took a step towards her. Leanna shrank back when he reached for her.

"Don't touch me," she hissed.

"God, sweetheart, if looks could kill, I'd be drop dead right here."

"If only they could," she mumbled under her breath. "And my name's not sweetheart, it's Leanna."

"Alright, Leanna. I suppose I'll tell you my name." He took a deep breath and released it in a loud sigh. "The name's Dylan."

Somehow, his name suited him. Leanna never associated names as suiting a person, she didn't give it much thought. But Dylan seemed like the perfect name for this stranger who was standing before her. She couldn't help but take in his features, the way they all seemed to complement one another. The way his dark hair contrasted perfectly with his light eyes. How he was lean, but not too muscular.

Stop it. A smirk began to spread across his face as he looked over her. Sweat was forming at the base of her neck, the room becoming too hot for comfort. Dylan bit his lip before turning away from her to the small TV in the corner of the room. Unable to stand another second in the same room as him, she ran to the bathroom.

It didn't even have a lock. There was no way she could even have the slightest hint of privacy. That was too much to expect from a run-down motel. Sitting down on the edge of the grubby tub, she examined the cuts on the bottom of her feet. Fortunately, the skin hadn't been pierced. Some gravel was still clinging to the skin, and she brushed it off onto the floor.

A knock at the door made her jump. Heavy breathing could be heard from the other side. Without waiting for an okay to enter, Dylan pulled the door open. His brow furrowed when he saw her.

"What are you doing in here?"