Head in the Clouds (BWWM)

I. Coco

She weaved through the trees like a natural instinct. Her heart raced at the growing speed her legs and feet took her. The palms of her hands swept the leaves she touched, a smile plastered on her smooth mocha face grew tremendously the faster she bolted. Giggles erupted from the depths of her throat as she went faster than life could ever take her. The wind swept over her body as she carried along with her daily run. While running she almost stumbled over her sneakers at the sound of an animal in distress. Her pace slowed as the noise grew tremendously the closer she got. Her feet carried her over to the sound of the commotion, but came to a sudden stop, eyes scanning the trees and branches surrounding her as the noise had been simply a mere foot from her. She looked around cautiously before cursing under her breath.

A corgi puppy was trapped in what appeared to be a hunter's trap. It had spikes all around the edges with a huge decaying chain attached to it. The poor puppy's paw was stuck underneath it. Slowly and carefully she walked over to it. The pup gazed at her with a painful look on his or her face. It squealed loudly as she neared it.

"Shh, shh, it's all right. It's okay. I'm Mariana. I'm just here to help you baby." She cooed softly with her hands far apart to indicate surrender.

The puppy wagged its tail gently. The wind picked up, goosebumps formed against her skin, the fur of the pup moved around harshly. It still had that pained look, but was a slight bit more quiet.

Her hands reached down to touch the trap. The metal was cold against her palm as she grasped to try and take out the paw from under, but it never worked. She thought long and hard as she examined the trap in front of her. Her slender fingers ran along the chain as she tightly grasped it, pulling it backwards. Her hand reached for the top part of the spikes as she pulled up, allowing the pup to sprawl free.

It screamed with excitement yet pain. Mariana quickly scooped the pup in her hands as it nestled into her arms crying out from the pain. Relief flooded over Mariana's body as she helped the pup, but a sorrowful look replaced it.

Delicately, she reached around the bleeding wound as she walked. The pup cried out at the feeling. A musical note rang from her throat, followed by more as she carried on out of the woods.

🐶🐶

The soft huffs of the pup sounded calm and pleasing as it slumbered. Mariana sighed satisfyingly as her fingers brushed through its fur.

"I wonder if you're a girl or boy." She wondered. She flipped it over on its back gently just rubbing behind the ears as she examined its body. "Well I don't see any nipples so it must be a boy but.." she looked further down and noticed it's little .. pee pee just waggling as if it's his tale. Her eyes almost popped out of her sockets at her surprising discovery. She flipped him back over and nodded fiercely. "Boy, definitely a boy."

"Breaking News. For the past couple of months a mask murderer has struck the city approximately 12 times these past three months. He carves his revolting signatures on his victims all the same, C.V. But we have no clue as to what they stand for. We've discovered all of these victims have been African American females, but they don't seem to tie together with this murderer's scheme. This doesn't mean he won't attack any other race either. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, lock your doors at night and pull up your drapes. As well, just make sure -"

An unexpected sharp knock rattled on the wooden door along with the doorbell. Shutting off the TV and softly resting the pup down on her couch, Mariana proceeded to the door opening it cautiously. The pups injured leg was wrapped in a gauge after being previously treated.

A young Caucasian man stood in her doorway. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with dark brownish hair. His stormy blue eyes like the crashing ocean waves stared down at her behind his dark filmed glasses. A silver lip ring was present on the right hand corner of his bottom lip. Tattoos of all sorts lingered on his neck, arms and hands as to how much she could see at the least. This man smelled of coconut yet jasmine petals. It was quite ravishing. He seemed dark and mysterious making Mariana shiver with fright, but too curious at the same time.

"C-Can I help you?" Mariana cleared her throat rather nervously as he simply gazed down at her. His aura shaking her up a little.

He smirked slightly at her jumpiness. Taking a step closer, "You're the new girl in this place right." He stated rather than asked.

"If you consider moving in two weeks ago then yes. I suppose I am the new girl. A bit late for the introduction don't you think." She said rambling. "Who are you anyways? I've never seen you here before." She asked a bit flustered holding onto her door for dear life.

"Do you have any weed?" He rasped completely avoiding the question. His facial features showing no particular emotion, but a blank gaze.

Mariana almost choked. "What?" She couldn't believe it. Some random guy asking her for some pot. Who the hell does he think she is?

"Do you have any weed?" He replied nonchalantly as he pronounced each word carefully slow as if she were a child.

"I know what the hell you said, are you only asking me that because I'm black?" She snarled.

He just rolled his eyes at her not fazed by her accusations. "Is that a problem?" He raised his brow.

"Is that .. is that a problem? Of course the hell it's a problem. Not all black people smoke including myself you ass!" She seethed, annoyed with the stranger. "I just couldn't believe it. But no I don't have any weed. Now if that's all you have to say then goodbye." She reached for the door handle pushing for it to close but his foot got in the way of that.

Forcing back the door, he made it rattle into the wall before stepping inside and slamming it shut. Mariana terrified, holds a good amount of steps backwards fumbling for her cell phone on the nearby table.

"Get out before I call the cops!" She cried out. Her body trembled as he walked towards her. She fumbled to dial 911 but his hand grasped the phone throwing it a mere 5 feet behind him.

He glowered at her threateningly before turning his attention to the couch. Looking over slowly she noticed he was staring at Coco.

So she named the puppy Coco. So what?

Cautiously moving to grab Coco, her eyes never left his heavy frame. Coco stirred as she plucked him up, he yawned out opening his tiny eyes one by one.

"What do you want from me?" Mariana asked softly. "If it's money you want I'll give it to you, jewels too. But don't hurt me....or Coco." She pleaded. "I do fight back." She muttered quietly.

He merely glared at her observantly.

"I need you to do me a favor. Matter of fact, no, this isn't a favor. You're going to do as I say whenever I say, got it." He threatened. His demeanor changed rather quickly.

"What? No! Fuck no I -"

Her heart raced, face paling by the second as the clock of a gun was picked up. Before she knew it, she was gazing at the barrel of a silver pistol.

"Oh-Oh god. O-okay, okay. I'm sorry. Please just, just don't shoot." Tears freely traveled down the sides of her face.

"I hate beggars. Show me to your bathroom. Now." He roared.

He jabbed the barrel of the gun against her forehead, making her feet shuffle against the carpet. Her eyes glanced over her surroundings, trying to look for any sorts of a weapon or even an escape. A ghost of a grin crept upon her face as the shining object had gotten closer. A paper cutter. It's better than nothing. Setting Coco onto the ground, the man roughly shoved her forward making her inch towards the paper cutter. Nearly two inches away from it, Mariana leaped out towards it, aiming it at the man.