Chapter 9 by Fathiah Zarafi

Footsteps echoed in the dark alley way as I waited for Chayton. The hands of time had touched 12 and the soft glow of the full moon illuminated the darkness of the night. My eyes were drawn to the orb like a moth to a flame as I reluctantly recalled witnessing the same vision the night I left for prom. I thought of it as my lucky charm but I was dead wrong. A moving figure caught my eye and my head snapped right. Chayton had just come out of the building through the back door and was now walking slowly towards me with his head bowed. I pivoted my body so to face him perfectly. His boots dragged heavily on the ground, the noise bouncing off the brick walls. Chayton stopped his steps once he was a good foot away from me. Words were lost from me so I hushed and anticipated his next action.

"Look, Adele," he finally spoke up, "everything about you is so—confusing. I really want to help you but I don't think I can anymore."

"What do you mean?" I whispered, honestly puzzled. Chayton lifted his head and beneath the pale moonlight, I could make out an ignited fire in them.

"I have feelings for you, strong feelings and I don't think things will work out they way I want them too if all we have is this thick wall of lies between us."

My stomach plummeted upon hearing his confession. I felt like heaving whatever I had left, repulsed by my own self and actions that had caused Chayton to hate me.

"Please don't give up on me," I croaked out, "You're the only good thing I've known ever since—"

I couldn't say it. Chayton noticed my reluctance and a part of him died down, as if disappointed in me.

"There you go again. Please, Adele, just—don't you trust me?"

"I do!" I nearly shrieked, "You don't understand the position I'm in!" He stepped forward and gently but firmly grabbed my upper arms.

"Then make me understand!"

I tried to. I wanted to scream to the world what I have been through so I wouldn't suffer alone but most of all, I wanted to tell the truth so Chayton wouldn't give up on me. I didn't have the strength to fight the silence. I bowed my head bashfully, unwilling to witness the emotions in Chayton's eyes. I couldn't stop my hearing though as I heard the frustrated sigh escaping from his lips. I dared myself to raise my head but my gaze was met with nothing. Swiveling around, I saw Chayton already walking out of the alley. Shock hit me; was he going to leave me here?

"Come on, I'll send you home," he called over his shoulders. I mimicked his steps and studied his back while we walked to the car. The sadness and guilt threatened to shook my composure but I fought it back with all the strength I could muster. As we got into the car, I tried to catch Chayton's eyes but he drove off as soon as the engine started. I instantly knew that he was upset and I was the cause of it.

The drive home felt longer and stretched on forever. I had my chin resting on my palm, staring at the passing lights. Chayton's reflection on the window would coruscate on and off in synch with the lights and I could make out the tension in his jaw. His eyes would shoot to me once in a while but never fully. For what seemed like the millionth time, I suspired out my discomfort.

He pulled up at my house, the gravels crunching softly beneath us. I wasn't ready to leave yet because I knew that we would change once I step foot out of this car. Chayton seemed to notice my reluctance when he shifted a little on his seat so to face me but still remained hidden in the shadows. I wasn't ready to lose him, not when he was the only thing keeping me from going amok.

"Chayton," I started but he shushed me with a finger pressed to my lips.

"Please don't make this harder than it already is," he eked out. I couldn't control a tear that suddenly escaped from my eye.

With a shaky breath, I threw the door open climbed out, just like he wanted me to. My feet remained rooted on the grass even as Chayton's old car disappeared around the curb. I felt like things were slowly busticating after it started making sense and there was nothing I could do about it. I ignored the yen inside my chest to caterwaul to Chayton so everything would be normal once I wake up in the morning. But who am I to say; nothing is normal anymore, not since that night.

I finally regained control of my legs and started to make my way over the porch. My hand had just palmed the doorknob when I was suddenly hauled back. Déjà vu struck me but I knew this was no Chayton. A gloved hand clamped over my mouth before I could scream. My feet left the ground when my body was lifted by an arm around my waist. I kicked and flailed but another man grabbed my legs and started dragging me away. They carried me until we entered the thick forest behind the house.

Panic bubbled up inside me as I envisioned what fate lies before me. Flashes of my sisters' naked body sprawled on the floor obnubilated my mind and adrenaline surged through me at the thought of their lives robbed. I wasn't going to let the same thing happen to me. I kicked and squirmed harder until the man's grip on my legs loosened. I took the golden opportunity to land a swift kick on his most sensitive part.

"Son of a bitch!" he screamed, cupping his groin with both hands. With both legs free, I took the other man by surprise when I kicked hard at his shins before throwing my head back until the sickening crunch of his nose smashing against my skull echoed in the forest. I have learned a thing or two since the two months of living hell. Once he released his deathly clutch on my arms, I sprinted away from the groaning duo.

"Catch her, you idiot!" I heard one of them growled out.

I was racing in between trees without any direction. My breath was coming out in harsh pants even as I tried to silence it. I kept tripping often, scraping my palms and knees in the process but the will to live blinded the pain. That is, until my foot got caught in an exposed tree root and I fell in a messy heap on the forest floor. I hastily shoot to my feet but instantly regretted it once pain shot through my ankle. My teeth grinded against each other in order to contain the impending yelp of pain.

The sound of careful footsteps instantly banished any thoughts regarding pain. With nothing left to do, I huddled closer to the tree in hoping that he wouldn't notice me in the darkness. Through the pale moonlight, I could make out black boots carefully stepping around on the forest floor. My hand flew to my mouth to muffle the sobs that threatened to escape.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are, little girly," he sang. I held my breath when he stopped next to where I lay huddled. Once he turned back, I drew a much appreciation air into my lungs.

Still lying on the moth-covered ground, my trembling fingers fetched my phone that was hidden in the pocket of my jacket. Only then did I notice I had a deep gash on my upper arm that scratched right past my jacket but I couldn't care less. I prayed that James would answer the phone quickly for I haven't the slightest clue of where the men were.

"Hello?" sounded the voice of my savior.

"Please, please, please help me," I breathed, "there are men chasing after me." There was a slight ruffling sound in the background while I waited for him to reply.

"Where are you now, Adele?" his voice deadly.

"Somewhere in the woods at the back of my house. They carried me here—"

My words were cut off by a scream that tore from my throat when I was hauled to my feet. I couldn't help the whimper of pain when my weight was put on the injured ankle.

"Don't be scared, girly," he sneered, "I will make this as painless as possible. After we have some fun, that is."

They both snickered; their foul breaths making me gag as it fanned across my face. I could feel blood trailing down my arm from the wound as he squeezed my arms.

"Damn you to hell," I hissed, spitting at their faces in the process. Before I knew it, stars danced in my vision as his palm connected with my cheek. I stumbled to the ground and my tongue tasted blood.

"Better watch your mouth, missy," the one who slapped me taunted, "before I cut off that pretty little tongue of yours."

"You don't scare me," I scoffed, getting up to my feet once more with a support from the tree next to me.

Their sadistic laughs provoked a chill that ran down my spine. Without a second to spare, I started running—half limping—away from them. I knew they could catch me without breaking a sweat; their bodies are twice bigger than mine but I couldn't just back down without a fight.

My ankle screamed in protest with every step I took and tears had flowed down my face. The pain combined with the cold was beginning to crumble my spirit but I held on to the last remaining pieces. The further I ran, the quieter it was in the forest. I thought I had shaken them loose and was about to rest for a while but a gunshot that rang through the silence shook me to my core.

"Come on, missy, you're getting on our nerves here!"

I fastened my steps towards the small coruscate of lights I saw at the edge of the forest. Another shot was fired; this time the bullet penetrated the tree next to me. I began sobbing in desperation to reach the civilization that was at the edge of my fingertips. A few more painful steps and I had reached the shoulder of a road. I snapped my head back, to study if they were still on my tail.
What happened next was played out like a movie and I was watching it from the comfy theater chair. A bright light blinded me, a loud blaring noise deafening my hearing. Before my brain could process the warnings, I felt something hard hit me. I was thrown over it painfully and felt my bones breaking. As my head hit the hard road, I was aware of the throbbing pain and the crimson river that flowed before my eyes. My awareness didn't last long though as the noises of the environment faded into a calming buzz and the pain disappeared from my body. I closed my eyes and imagined our Hawaiian vacation that put a smile on my face.

******************************************************************************

Whiteness surrounded my view. I felt peaceful and light, as if I was floating and drifting calmly in the air. There was not a single hurt or bruise on my body and I was happy. I never wanted to leave whatever place I was in but a constant beeping noise interrupted my concentration. I slowly drifted to find the source of the noise but I couldn't see anything; everything was white. I felt like I was lost in the sea of light until my name was called.

Adele. Adele, open your eyes.

Open my eyes?

I pried my eyelids open only to be blinded by the light. The beeping noise was louder than ever and it was coming from somewhere on my right. All of a sudden there was a warm weight settling on my forehead, smoothing away my hair.

"Adele, hey, how are you feeling?"

I waited for my eyes to adjust to the bright light before searching for the familiar voice. My heart skipped a beat when I was greeted with they face of Chayton. I was still confused and disoriented so I shifted my gaze to study the surrounding. The walls surrounding me were white wash and I noticed a heart monitor parked next to where I lay. Only then did I register the smell of antiseptic that burned my nose with each inhalation.

"You're at the hospital," Chayton suddenly spoke, as if reading my mind. Suddenly the memories of the attack rushed through me and my eyes widened with fear.

"How did I get here?" I croaked out. My voice was hoarse like an 80 year old smoker and it throbbed with each word. Chayton leaned forward in his chair and gently rest his elbows on the mattress.

"Somehow you were hit by a car. Mr. Charles was the one who found you and called the ambulance."

Mr. Charles? I recalled calling him in panic but was stopped in the middle when the men grabbed me. The men. Fear shot through me when I remembered the two people who had assaulted me. I needed to know what happened to me; where they still lurking nearby?

"Where's Ja—Mr. Charles?"

"He went home a few minutes ago. You know, he stuck by your bed for all the 24 hours you've been out," he answered.

I softly trailed my fingers upwards and felt the cotton gauze wrapped around my head. Chayton's eyes followed my movements and his face instantly saddened. I was momentarily confused, until flashes of our fight played in my mind.

"What you doing here, Chayton? I thought you didn't want to be anywhere near me anymore," I asked bitterly. Chayton stared at me intensely, making me fidget under his gaze.

"I didn't say that; I told you that I was frustrated with whatever you're hiding from me but I'll always be here when you need me."

I had to look away when the guilt that surged through me. The overwhelming yen to reveal myself once again resided in me as I fought to control it. I made a foolish mistake to study his reaction. When I saw the sadness evident in his features, I felt the last walls I had build crumbling to pieces. I emitted a heavy breath and met his eyes with my terrified ones. I sat up straighter in bed, ignoring the aching of my muscles.

"Chayton, promise me one thing," I breathed, "don't treat me any different after this, please."

"What do you mean?" he frowned. I drew in a shaky breath, closing my eyes to summon the will.

"My name—my real name is Alyson Fischer. My father and two sisters were in my home murdered two months ago. I've been under the Witness Protection Program ever since and—it's been hard for me to cope."

I felt Chayton's warm hand enclosed mine but I refused to raise my head for fear he would see the vulnerability in them.

"I um, I can't forget the way I saw my sisters sprawled naked on the floor of their rooms. My nine year old sister, she was still breathing when I had her on my lap and I held her as she died. My father—um, he fought against the murderers when they went after me. He even smiled at me and told me he loves me."

I couldn't continue as sobs threatened to escape my lips. Suddenly I was enveloped in comforting warmth, which provoked my withheld emotions. I wept silently while Chayton rubbed my back soothingly.

"It's okay, it's going to be okay," he murmured and I let myself believe him.

Labels: Protected