Annabelle's locket

Chapter 22

"Noah and Annabelle. I heard there's a high reward on your heads, thought i'd drop by." a black haired blue eyed man walked in. His voice was low, scratchy. I wanted so badly to wipe that devilish smirk off his seedy face. "Take me leave her." Noah said making me wince. I hated when he talked about leaving me. I needed Noah. "No, I'll pass. It's kind of a packaged deal thing." he shrugged with laughter. I didn't find it funny. At all. There had to be something I could do. I scanned the room for something to use-anything. Nothing, a tv, a bed, a nightstand..

I sighed as he ordered us to move out. Noah's gaze met mine. His eyes were scorching, full of worry. I gave him a reassuring look and descended down the elevator. "In the lobby if you try anything." he waved his gun in the air and tucked it into his leather jacket. The bell dinged as the doors opened and I felt my legs starting to shake as the receptionist gave a friendly smile, unaware of the situation. That gun. That damn gun was the reason I didn't call out to her. We left the hotel and the man directed us to a black SUV. "Get in." he pointed that gun and opened the door. I slid in and Noah followed. The man shut the door. "What are we going to do?" I whispered as he swung around the trunk. "I'm thinking of tha-" he stopped when the man got in, turning the key. He looked at us. "If I hear one word, I'm blowing you kingdom come." he looked at me, since Noah was a night rider and he couldn't be killed. I shivered and Noah slowly slid his hand onto my lap, resting it there. I took it and looked out the window, not daring to look in his direction. The warmth of his hand is what kept me sane the ride their. Was I going to die? That though ran through my brain, over and over. I bit my lip, holding back my worried expression. Noah kept his cool, staring ahead as we drove. An hour in, I was getting anxious by the glances the night rider shot me through the rear view mirror. That's when I felt something bump my leg. Noah's other hand. He directed his eyes to the door handle and then to up ahead, a red light. He wanted to escape. It was worth a shot. Although I would get shot if I messed up. Which was likely, like I said before I was prone to accidents. The red light appeared and felt hyperventilation creeping up on me. The car came to a stop and I reached for the door, running out. I heard the man behind me and pumped my legs faster. People yelled as the man ran behind he, this time his gun in plain sight. Where was Noah? I darted down an alley, out of the way of people I could trip over.

I soon realized that was a dumb move. It was a dead end. The brick graffiti full wall approached and my eyes started to tear as I started slowing into a stop. I looked for an escape, but the truth unfolded. "Times up dear." I watched as he pointed his gun at my head. "Wait!" I yelled, hopping to stall. Noah should be here, where was he? "What?" "Um, I have an-offer." I improvised.

"Go on."

"If you let Noah go, I'll come with you."

He started lowering his gun, a demonic smile smug on his face. His mind wasn't heard to read. "Well that's very nice. I suppose-" He thought and that's when I saw Noah creeping behind him, a garbage can lid in his hand. He waved me to keep taking. "Yes, you can have me. I'll do whatever you want." I stated with confidence. "Oh, that is a very good offer." he smirked and I exhaled when Noah banged the side of his head-the man dropping to the ground. "He's a bastard." Noah shook his head and walked over to me. "Are you all right, did he hurt you?"

"I'm fine. I can take care of myself you know."

"That's funny, it looked like you were in a bad spot when I saved you." I crossed my arms and looked up at his face in the moonlight. "Women are capable you know." I raised my chin. Noah laughed. "It's not women. It's you." I scoffed, thinking of a remark. But nothing came to mind. "You're an a-" slipped through my lips when he pressed his cold body against mine, taking me by surprise. "Shut up." he shook his head and pressed me against the wet brick. "Maybe we should get out of the alley." I whispered in the middle of our kiss. "Right, he knew we were here, the others must be far behind."

I nodded and we hurried to our room. I was so tempted to curl up under the soft comforters, but adrenaline pumped through my veins, keeping me wide awake. We gathered our things and went to the mustang.

We were on the road again-and it was Christmas Eve. I imagined by dad at home, sitting alone. I looked at Noah to remind myself I had him- to make sure he was there. The incident in the alley almost had me believing he had slipped away. I wouldn't let that happen, and neither would he. He smiled at me and I grinned and kept my eyes on his.

"Merry Christmas Annabelle."

I leaned my head against his shoulder, closing my eyes. I felt his steady breathing and smiled. "Were going to a midnight mass."

I sat up. We were pulling into a church parking lot. "I'm not dressed for this!" I looked down at my sweater and jeans. "You look amazing." his eyes were smoldering. "Easy for you to say." I mumbled and got out. It was nearly twelve, and people were walking silently into the church. Noah held out his arm and I took it.

The Inside of the church was beautiful. Quaint, with a mural painted on the ceiling, and candles lit. I smiled and glanced at Noah who was looking down at me-I was shorter than him. We sat in the back and the mass began a few minutes later after everyone had taken their seat. The priest was an older man, jolly and kind. I found myself laughing to some of his side comments and smiling along to his prayers. My favorite part of the ceremony was the chiming of the bells and the singing. We sang Silent Night, Oh come all ye faithful, and others. It was around one when mass ended. Noah led me to the car, my eyes has started closing, I was so tired. Once we got in in, I fell against him.