Affliction.

Chapter 5:

Exhaling heavily, I looked at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. The once youngest female to cover for Istyle swimming catalogue and the daughter of Victoria's Secret's used to be model was now replaced with a girl I barely knew. Gone was the bronze tint and the mischevious glint in my amber eyes, and the streaks were starting to fade away too.

I'd bet my long legs that Mom's going to disown me if she sees me wandering around the streets looking like this.

I noticed the red beep of the wirless phone as I entered in to my room. Popping a Honey-Bun in my mouth, I pressed the play button and went through the list.

Zach. Zach. Zach. Ariel. Zach. The phone company.

Coming back home, I poured the day's event to Van Hoef, omitting the details about the note and the mystery man's rescue act for the second time. Since Van Hoef was adamant on his stalker theory, I didn't want to give him one more reason to resent against that man.

Why was I defending him, anway? I'd no clue.

But I knew he wasn't trying to kill me. First off, he rescued me from the accident. Second, he notified someone to help me get away from the dog. And unless he was planning on to torture me before the killing part, I doubted his intentions were evil.

Turned out, my car had no flaw. Pure coincidence? I don't think so. A twist of fate? Probably yes.

Having ordered a new phone, gulped down a few bites of Mac N Cheese and freshly dressed my throbbing ankle, I was now comfortably settled against the blue satin sheets. Closing my eyes, I visualized those piercing grey eyes from my dreams staring up at me with an unknown emotion. Anger? Conviction? Regret?

Passion.

My eyes flew open. A fierce passion, but why? I wanted to claw my hair out in frustration. Why couldn't he search for me as I looked for him? Why couldn't it be this simple to satisfy my hunger for answers?

Rippling muscles demanded to get attention and yet seem to be perfectly lean. Taller than Zach, probably over 6 feet 2 inches. The fitting combination to make girls swoon over and boys exchange envious glances.

I pictured running my hands along the well sculpted chest, how it would feel like to be wrapped around those worked-out arms. A blush tinted my cheeks and I quickly recovered before the thoughts proceeded to something obscene.

Would he save me again if I'm in trouble? Does it really work this way? "I could simply risk my life again, then." A humorless chuckle escaped my lips.

And then it hit me. Hard.

If he was playing the role of my guardian angel, then he'll come save me again. And that meant confrontation.

Forgetting the fresh injuries, I hurriedly changed into black Versace jeans and a grey button down Dior top. Completing my outfit with black Sketchers, I roved my fingers through my hair. Perfect.

It was 10 pm, which equalled to midnight for Van Hoef and I didn't bother telling him. At times like these, freedom from concerned interrogation was heaven. No mommy daddy lectures for staying out late, and no older brother protectiveness to hinder. Not that I'd listen to them anyway, I was nineteen for crying out loud.

Speeding through the road, the fierce wind soothed my over excited nerves. Now, what should I do to get myself in trouble? Accidents were far too dangerous, and I'd enough injuries to cope up with. I could try to drown in water, but do you even consider a professional swimmer's act as drowning? Probably not.

That only left me with-. I chewed on my bottom lip, my insides quivering at what I was intending to do. Zach used to forbid me to even glance in the direction of a few areas before we moved here, because they'd a reputation nobody talks about out loud. Our very own taboo topic, it seemed.

But I'd no choice. It either narrowed down to this or the anticipation of sitting back and meeting the guardian angel.

Pulling my car quietly on the side of the road, I jumped out and took in my surroundings. With a single street lamp turned on, the road was absorbed in darkness and I shivered instinctively.

Walking silently, I could hear toneless singing followed by heavy laughter drifting off in the wind. It seemed drunk and well- disgusting. Maybe coming here wasn't such a good idea after all.

Before I could retreat back to the haven of my car, I was roughly grabbed and slammed into something hard. I immediately pulled back, and froze.

"What's a pretty girl like you doing here, suga'?" The man who had grabbed me purred, earning a guffaw out of his two companions.

"Umm, I got lost. I'll be going back now." I tried to move past the burly man, but he grasped my upper arm.

"Leaving so soon? How about we get a drink at my place? I can make you feel sooo good." His words slurred and I wondered if I could take the three of them in their drunken state. But they were brawny and in early thirties, and I knew this was a lost battle.

The other two circled me from the back, narrowing my escaping chances to zilch. This is not happening.

"Do you want money? I can give you anything, just let me go. Please."

He snickered at my plea. "But you look so innocent. And pure." He caressed the side of my face with his beefy finger and I refrained to recoil in disgust. "Letting you go won't be fun, darling. What say Arno?"

Arno, breathing down my neck, hummed a response. I could smell the reek of alcohol and fought not to cry.

"Don't touch me!" I screamed as the first guy advanced forward, sliding his big hands all over me. The other two pinned my hands at the back, and I cried for help, choking on my tears.

"Shh, princess. We'll take care of you." And before I could scream again, he slammed his lips on mine. I struggled wildly, gagging at the nauseating feel of his tongue shoved against mine. His hands roamed hungrily over my petite form, feeling me. Tainting me.

Then all of a sudden, the revolting man was violently shoved off me and I fell back from the sudden impact.

"How about I take care of you first before you lay your filth on her?"

The barely leashed menace in the voice made me look up hastily.

My guardian angel.

A/N:
I couldn't add the scene of confrontation because my chapters are already pretty long. But I do have huge hopes for the next chapter.
Ignore the typos and mistakes.
Thank you! :)