The Guardian Angel

Chapter-5: Leah

I watched the entire scene unfold right in front of my eyes. The place was pitch black. But the soldiers seemed to know what exactly to do. Them and— whoever the other party was—kept firing at each other. I looked around trying to make a sense of where I was.

Then I spotted one of the soldiers, tackling another guy to the ground. I realised that if he hadn't, then that guy for sure would have died. Why you ask? Probably because of the dozen bullets that followed after.

'Jeff!!' the man had screamed. I watched as both of them made their way to another part of the camp where men were trying to sneak in.

An irrational part of me was suddenly afraid for him. He should be anywhere but here. Far away from here. I pressed my hand to his back. He stiffened. It made no sense. But I was happy that at least he could feel my presence. Run away, I told him. Don't stay here. Go back. He shuddered. But continued fighting anyway.

The shootout continued until their reinforcements came in. Everyone was elated as the reinforcements open fired, sending the other men fleeing. 

My smile soured, as I followed the guy's gaze across the expanse of what I saw was...... sand?

Suddenly I wasn't me anymore. I was looking at the barrel of a gun. A sniper. Jutting from far away.

Then I was running across. At my friend. I could even hear some thoughts. They weren't mine. But I could still hear them.

No. Not another one. I would not lose another person in my life.

I crashed into the guy, just as a loud bang spread through the entire place.

I woke up, jumping slightly on the couch, where I had dozed off. My book clattered to the ground. I rubbed my eyes. Face of the soldier already fading. But the details of the dream were etched into my memory. Almost like it was a life changing event. Event? The fuck it was. What it was, was a fucking dream.

A knock at my door made me yelp in surprise. I walked towards it, across the spacious room, floor covered with luxurious and soft carpet.

If it was Stephen, I swear to god, that guy was going to pay. I opened the door and almost snapped at the guy who I thought was Stephen. I stopped abruptly when I saw my uncle standing there, arms crossed over his chest. He wasn't very well built. Not very buff. He was tall and lean, hair graying at the edges. His beard had white specks at places.

I moved aside to let him in. He sat down on the sofa and sighed.

"What happened?" I asked him.

"I can't accompany you—"

"But that is—" He cut me off by holding his palm up.

"I can't accompany you, but there is no other change in the plan." He spoke. "You shall go to Jessica's house and from there you will go to Dallas. At Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport, I have booked a ticket to Paris. Nonstop for nine and a half hours."

My mouth hung open. That had not been the plan. I was supposed to go back to my friend's house. She lived right now in Phoenix, but was planning to move to San Francisco. I was supposed to go with her. Start a new life, get a job, find love and party. Not go to Paris. What would I even do there?

Uncle seemed to read my mind. "Lay low there for some time, Leah. Go back to San Francisco after that."

"Your father would definitely suspect me. So to lead him to a wild goose chase, I used the bank account he knows exists, to book a ticket to Rome and used a private one, to book one to Paris."

He had convinced me. Laying low in Paris for a few months didn't seem that bad, I suppose. So, I agreed.

A few days later, I found myself in a beautiful dark blue dress. It fit me perfectly. It came till my knees; it was off the shoulder at my left. A single strap was wound over my shoulder at the right, but it still exposed a good part of the shoulder. It hugged my curves and made them look more defined that they honestly were. But hey, who was complaining? It would have been just perfect if I had worn a beautiful diamond or sapphire necklace. But that meant I would look good. For Stephen. So, I chose not to wear it. Just to spite him.

I was standing at a ceremony that was mostly just to welcome guests to my wedding. Which was definitely not happening. Or it could. Over my dead body. Oh well, even then it wouldn't happen. I chuckled to myself as I fed myself a spoon of the delicious and rich chocolate ice cream.

"What's got you all smiling? Finally warming up to me?" Stephen asked from behind me.

I turned back to look at him. I gave him a wide smile and replied pointing to his plate, "Oh no Stephen. I was just watching you eat, then I remembered that I had seen a cockroach on that plate. Not even...... a few moments ago?"

He gagged, chocked and threw his plate down, drawing weird glances from others. I doubled over in laughter as he glared at me.

"Now listen here you brat—" He started, just when I tripped and spilt my ice cream all over his designer clothes. By mistake of course. Who would be such a fiend and do it on purpose?

"Oh gosh! I am so sorry Stephen. I tripped." I borrowed some napkins and wiped the ice cream off. And ended up spreading it. All he could do was clench his teeth and say its alright, sweetheart. Well, you wanted it. Now you have it.

After the extremely boring party, I made my way to my room. I threw myself onto the bed. Same time tomorrow, I would be making my way to where my friend rented a place. After that I shall have the time of my life.

Finally, the day arrived. The day of freedom. A part of my heart squeezed at the thought of leaving my parents. But staying meant marrying Stephen. No thanks. I packed a few comfortable clothes into a backpack. And by pack, I mean throw stuff into it. So, whenever I needed something, I just needed to put my hand in and pray to god that it would appear.

I was just done packing and making everything perfect for my departure, when someone knocked on my door.

"Who is it?" I called out.

"It's me Leah." Dad answered from behind the door. "Can I come in?"

"No!" I screamed, looking around frantically at the backpack, the makeshift rope I had made to rappel myself down the side of the building. Damn what was this? An action movie? But this wasn't the time to think about that.

"Because I am naked!" I screamed, cringing internally.

"Why the fuck are you naked in there Leah?" He asked.

"I just took a shower dad!"

"Oh. Okay. Never mind then. We can just talk.... later." He said awkwardly and left.

I sighed in relief. Thank God he didn't just barge in. Well, it was locked but dad was built like a bear. He could break it easily. If this had been Stephen, at the news of me being naked, he would have broken down the door. I was quite sure of that. The fucking lecher.

I called Jessica. One ring, two, then three before she finally picked up.

"Heeeeeyyyy bestie!!" She screamed into the phone from the other side, making me hold the phone away and give my ears some respite. "Waasssuuuupp?"

"Goddamn Jessica. Calm down, will you?" I said, still my ears still paining from her response. "You'll be here today night, right?"

"Of course! Anything for my BFF."

"Thanks a lot Jess, you're saving my life. Literally." With that, I kept the phone down and rechecked everything.