The Momentary Escape

I had to be very careful while running away. As soon as I was out of that room, I tried to find another place to hide until the chitter chatter stopped. Those monsters were going to sleep sometimes, right? Soon, I noticed an abandoned outhouse that had a sign on its door saying "DO NOT ENTER". It surely didn't look occupied. It was my best chance to stay away from any of those morons seeing me. I ran to the building, opened the door, got in and closed it fast as soon as I entered. I fell to my knees as I struggled to catch the air. All the panting and crying was making it harder for me to focus . I sat leaning my back against the closed door as I was trying to catch my breath.

As I eased off, I needed to look outside to make sure there was no one roaming around looking for me. I slightly opened the door to peek through. I could see the building where those jerks kept me captive. However, it was not just a building, rather it was a freaking huge castle, just like those Disney movies. I couldn't see that while running away from my captors. I could hear chattering sounds coming from close to the north side, like there was some sort of gathering going on. Luckily, I was locked in a room that was on the west side. It felt like no one had noticed me missing. I was just going to wait for a sure-shot sign to make my next move.

I had a sense of relief as I closed that door. I finally sat down, closing my eyes. I just needed a few minutes to process everything.

Out of nowhere-I sensed a deep breath. It sounded more like a sigh, I knew that I was not alone there all those times. I was terrified of my life, but I couldn't scream, talk, or do anything. I froze.

I had to be sure. I focused to hear it clear. All I heard was that sound of deeper breath again. A frantic gasp came out of my mouth as soon as I realized there was someone else in that room. How in the world could I miss it? I opened my eyes and slightly pushed the door behind me to let the faint light come in. I saw a man sitting right in front of me in a distance. I panicked. He was in a white shirt, sleeves folded up to his arms, and dark-colored pants. There was something about his eyes. It was sort of yellowish-green and the most beautiful pair of eyes I had ever seen. His muscles were bulging through his white shirt. I couldn't see his face clearly because the room was still pretty dark…

OMG, how could I be so stupid? How could I miss seeing someone sitting in this very room? Panic set in. But…. the thing was…. he was not doing much. I kept saying it inside my head- if he wanted to hurt me- he could have done it in the last thirty minutes. He might not be one of them- maybe he was a captive like I was. I felt worried about him. I kept wondering if he was alright. At that point, I thought it was safe to assume that he would not kill me. I gathered my courage and slowly approached him. Looking around for any sign of danger. I tiptoed near him.

'Hi, are you ok?' I said in a faint voice. Instead of responding, he rather closed his eyes.

Hey, hello?? I waved my hand in front of his face. Did they capture you too? Did they hurt you? He still said nothing.

At that point, I knew he wouldn't hurt me. I guess I got a little comfortable around him and started rambling all by myself about how they kidnapped me. How did I escape so far? How I wanted to see my Nana again cause she wouldn't be able to live without me. I also told him how scared I was.

He finally opened his eyes and looked me dead in the eyes and said, 'Sorry to hear'. His voice was surreal.

"Listen to me, I won't leave you alone. I want you to come with me. Let's just escape this hell together. What do you say?"- I whispered.

"Leave me alone and go,'' He shouted.

"Shhhhhh….." I immediately put my hand over his mouth. I just wanted him to stay quiet. It was a reflex. But my palm felt the touch of his soft pair of lips. That touch was nothing less than a high voltage electricity. It gave me a jolt I'd never felt before. My eyes flinched, my mind wandered off, and that spark ran through my veins. I pulled my hand back.

I looked away and whispered, "Sorry, I was just trying to help."

I know, But I am beyond help- He whispered back.

What do you mean? I asked,

It means nothing. Do you want to escape this hell together? Let's do it for you. He replied.

I nodded.

We both stood up. I offered my hand for him to hold. After all, we were trying to make it out together.

As we approached the door, I looked at him and said 'Out of this hell'

He nodded.

I slowly opened the door to look if anyone was out there... he stood behind me unfazed with his other hand in his pockets…

It was almost midnight. The moon was right over our heads. It was clear enough for us to see. Now, while escaping from the room I was held captive in, I had noticed that to further west there was a garden- and an adjacent forest too. I knew I had to run on that side, taking my chances.

Luckily, there was no sign of those goons around. The chattering noise has stopped. I turned back to the mystery man standing behind me and whispered, 'I run, you run.. Do not stop for anything, Understand? He nodded.

I took a deep breath and said, Here We go in 1 2 3.....' I held his hand tight, opened the door and ran.. I ran in the front; he ran behind me; I held his hand all the way through. We ran through the garden, tearing both our skins from the thorns of rose bushes, ripping our naked feet on the stones and pebbles on the narrow road. We ran through the sloppy corn fields, slipping off and falling together many times, filling up our wounds with mud and dirt. We crossed the dense forest that stood between us and the civilization, not fearing the dangerous wild animal's or insects, broken sharp branches or toxic plants. But when we past all these, there was the first sight of the valley- with a lighthouse standing on the horizon. The solace was beyond comprehension.

The night was young, crickets, and cicadas singing their classic summer insect songs. The wind was blowing gently, making strands of my hair fall on my face. Moonlights scattered across so beautifully, resembling the whole scenery as a descendant of heaven. I finally found my hope. I finally laughed so hard that my eyes tore up. He laughed with me, and we laughed together.

"To second chances," I said….

He nodded…..

I didn't notice him as we both were in a survival state until then, but as we were standing in the middle of the valley, I finally noticed him.

He was radiating under the blazing moonlight. He could be a reincarnation of some Greek God. I had seen no man as handsome as him. We ran for over an hour, but he showed no sign of tiredness. He was as calm as the deep blue sea.

His yellowish green eyes were so beautiful, they could hypnotize any living being in an instant. His lips were plump and kissable.. his Jaws were sharper than the blade of a samurai. He had a broad chest and even broader shoulders and a perfectly curved waist. His biceps and chest muscles bulged out of his shirt. Hair was spiky and hawky. Any girl would dream of that man. Yet, he was standing right before me.

Our eyes locked on each other. We were still holding hands and standing in the middle of that valley. The pace of our breaths said a thousand words, but our lips were silent. My heart didn't know how to express itself, it just beat faster and faster with each passing moment. I did not know how to break away from that whirlpool.

It was one of those moments when I hit my weakest point. I knew what was going to happen. The mix of emotions burst in like firecrackers. He leaned in, and so did I. I felt his breath on my cheeks, it burned my skin more than a thousand sun. I crossed my hand behind his neck. He held on to my waist, pulled me closer to his body and it happened. Our lips touched and the entire world just ceased to exist.

I could have stayed there kissing him for an eternity. But I had to exhaust all my energy to break away. I couldn't get caught up in that. At Least, it was not the right time.

I turned my head down to avoid eye contact and took a few deep breaths to come back to reality.

I couldn't bring myself to look at him again. What if it made me weak and I never wanted to leave?

"Whew… So, I need to leave. Just because we are out in the valley doesn't mean we are safe." I said to him nervously,

"Don't leave. Stay with me. I promise- I'll protect you. " He said charmingly,

"Are you crazy?" I frantically looked around and said, "Listen, we need to separate right now. We are lucky that we haven't gotten caught yet. But we could any minute. Do you even understand the danger we are in?"

He didn't respond, just kept looking at me like he was transfixed.

"Are you listening to me?" I patted his cheeks to bring him back from whichever trance he was.

Sure, He said with a smirk.

"Stay safe out there. Don't get kidnapped again!" I said it while pacing backwards and smiling.

"Do we ever meet again?" He asked me.

"Mmm… that's a question for destiny." I replied while rushing towards the lighthouse.

"Then, see you soon mate!" He stood there as I ran away.

He was a stranger, not just a regular stranger, but the most charming person I've ever met. I thought, I was being stupid. I somehow ended up kissing this greek god but forgot to ask his name. Anyways, If we lived another day, there might be a place, a time when we could meet again.

A spontaneous smirk came out on my lips.

Somehow, this whole thing felt off. First, two giants kidnapped me and locked me up in the room, But I escaped so easily with no hassle, with no one even noticing me. That didn't make sense at all. The only positive thing about this whole ordeal is that Nana would now agree to change the city. We would move to New York. I was already 17. I could take up a job. New York is a big city.. Nobody would find us there. We could live a better life.

I continued to run towards the Lighthouse .....