Chapter 15

(Vivien) I opened my eyes and saw Marcus so close to me, I felt his lips on mine, hot tears fell down my face. I began to push him and when he was completely off me I ran away. I didn't know where I was going but I just wanted to be far from him. I heard his screams but I didn't stop.

I ran as fast as I could with drops of tears flying from my face. My face was fixed on the ground, sobs still getting out of my exhausted breath. I stopped running when I saw a rock I could sit on. I sat and I covered my face with my palms, trying to calm myself down. When I finally decided to head back I looked up at my surroundings, I was in the middle of a forest. I started to panic, contemplating ever leaving. I got up and rounded to catch a view of everything, but I saw nothing except trees. I started walking hopelessly in a random direction; I didn't know where I came from as I barely had my eyes open.

I walked for what felt like hours, I checked my pocket after my phone but I quickly remembered that I left it in the car. I continued walking, moving my head in every direction in search for a road. A short honk got my attention and I tried to follow it. I ran like my life depended on that towards the sound. Behind a few trees and some bushes I saw the road and a parked car. I ran to the car, seeing two men sitting and talking.

-Hey! Hey! I'm sorry I got lost from my car; can you drive me to the city? I can pay you.

They examined me up and down and one of them stepped closer after shortly glancing at the other.

-Yeah sure, where do you live?

-Woodstock.

-Ah, I've been there, is very nice this time of the year. Hey Charlie what about you go and start the car?

The other nodded and left us alone. The first man turned back to me and grinned, showing his perfectly white teeth.

-I'm James by the way.

-Vivien, nice to meet you.

-Vivien, such a nice name for a beautiful lady like you.

Charlies head popped out of one side of the car, signaling James to come closer.

-Hey James looks like we have a problem here, would you mind coming a second?

-Not at all. Excuse me.

They both went behind the car and I was left alone, after a few minutes James came back with a serious look.

-Is something wrong?

-The car has a bit of a problem, nothing to worry about. Hey why wouldn't you hop in while we fix it? Rest a little you may be tired.

-Sure.

He opened the door to the back seat and I laid myself down. James wasn't wrong, my feet were aching so bad because of the run and long walk. I glanced on more time at them before falling asleep; James was talking on the phone while Charlie was nervously chewing his nails.

When I woke up my hands were tied up, I closed my eyes again thinking it was just a bad dream. Half an hour had passed and I was fully awake, I was still tied, I wasn't dreaming. I tried to raise my head and saw James and Charlie in the front.

-Hey! What's happening?!

James took a short glance in the back and smiled.

-Oh good, you're awake.

-What are you doing?

-I'm taking you to the city, isn't this what you wanted?

-Why did you tie me up?

-What a funny question, Vivien. Well, because you wouldn't come otherwise.

-Where are you really taking me?

-To the city, I told you.

-This is not the road to Woodstock.

-Oh no, we are going to Manhattan. Isn't this what you want?

-What?

-Just admit it Vivien, you've been dying to come back to Manhattan. Now your wish is becoming true.

-What are you talking about?

-Let's see isn't this since your mommy died?

-How-

-And your daddy forced you to move to the small, boring Woodstock?

-How do you know all of this?

-I know a lot about you.

-You know nothing about me! Let me go!

-Now. Shh. Shh. Be a good girl or uncle Charlie over here gonna have to cover your mouth and believe me I ain't gonna like that.

-You are sick!

-You got that right.

-Let me go!

-Charlie, put the cover.

I was staring in horror as Charlie turned around with a cloth in his hands. I tried to move as far as possible but he grabbed my hair trying to pull me back.

-Ouch!

-Hey! Be careful, she's important.

He let go of my hair and grabbed my shirt, holding it hard and pulling me back towards him. He grabbed me by my neck and whispered slowly in my ear.

-Now if you don't want things to get really ugly, you'll be a good girl and let me tie this, okay?

I had no choice but to obey, I came closer to him and let him tie the cloth on my mouth. After he finished I fell in the back seat and closed my eyes. I was trying to be strong and not to allow my fear to take control over me. Everything will be okay, Marcus is searching for me. Marcus, I remembered our kiss, I regretted running from him, I got scared. Hot tears fell on my cheeks.

-Aw don't cry princess, it's not that bad where you are going.

I opened my eyes and frowned, I pointed him with my angry stare but he was grinning like he was enjoying it.

-We are not bad people, we are friends. Consider us as your new best friends who had to tie you up because you were being annoying. It's nothing personal.

I wanted to punch his jerking face; I couldn't stand him making fun of my state. I hope Marcus will find me soon; I looked out of the window hoping to see where we were.

-Don't worry about your little company, he won't find you.

I quickly focused my attention back on James, was he talking about Marcus? How did he know about him?

-Our people will set him on a wrong route. You aren't going to get away this time.

He was wrong, he had to be. Marcus will figure out that it was a trap and will find me in the end; I had to have hope in that. I inhaled as much air as I could and exhaled slowly, trying to calm myself down.

-You know it's funny, how you two have evolved. I surely thought you hate him but God how have the tables turned.

I looked at him in anger and made a few faded sounds, wanting to answer him but remembering I couldn't.

-Take the cloth off Charlie; I want to hear her answer.

Charlie came closer and took the cloth off, I was instantly grossed by the taste it had.

-Ugh, who are you? Why do you seem to know so much about me?

-Seem? Darling I can assure you that I know more than you can imagine.

-Are you a stalker? Did you watch me all this time?

-I am just a simple worker, like everybody else.

-You are working for someone?

-Yes, exactly.

-Who?

-Private information, don't worry you will meet him soon.

-I am not going to meet anyone!

-Tone down princess, I don't like loud girls.

-You are a psycho! Why are you doing this?!

-Hey! I said tone down!

-I don't take orders from you!

-Too bad, Charlie, the cloth.

-Get off me!

I got away and hit his hands with my legs.

-Careful!

I was keeping Charlie away with my leg when I saw James turning behind too. Suddenly a white strong light appeared and my eyes opened wide. I only saw the big camion in front of us for a bit before closing them.

-Oh shi-

I heard James say before I could feel the car turning an aggressive turn to the right. My scream filled my ears and a powerful hit made me fall in front. When I opened my eyes again I was on the ground, pain was coming from all of the parts of my body. I felt a hand and I screamed as I saw Charlies lifeless eyes staring directly at me. I crawled towards the door and got out. I let myself fall on the ground before I could slowly get up. My legs were hurting and the sudden effort made me fall back towards the car. I looked at James; his bloody face was stuck in the broken glass. I took a few steps and examined the surroundings. A few meters away was the camion we saw, it was rolled over in the field. I went to the driver's seat, but the man was on the ceiling already dead.

I started walking to what I thought was the way we came from. It didn't take long until I saw two bright lights and a car pulled over. I was relieved when I saw Marcus coming from the car.

-Vivien! Omg, what happened?

He untied my hands and looked at my scars; I placed my hand on his cheek, making him look at me. I leaned over and kissed him, he responded quickly and I could feel his arms embracing me. I rested after in his arms with fresh tears running down my face.

-I'm sorry.