Encounters of Love

Part 5: Why Am I Here?

       Luhsette and I were hung over from last night. Today was the day we were suppose to go our separate ways, but I was too tired to do anything. Luhsette took us to go get some breakfast. It was gonna be my last good breakfast.
       "So what are planning on doing without me?" Luhsette asked.
        "I don't know. I'm probably gonna get a job and stay at my friends house till I find my own."
        "That's good. Just know if you ever need help or even a shoulder to cry on, you can always call me." She said with a smile. She passed me a note card with her number on it. She's honestly the best person I've ever met. She was almost like a mom to me. I couldn't stand leaving her. But I knew she had her own life to finish and she can't take care of me for the rest of it.
          After breakfast we went back to the hotel and I took a shower and packed my things. I hugged her goodbye and thanked her for everything. I also told her how much I really appreciate her. And how I will never forget her. That hug was one of the best hugs I've ever received. It felt like home. We both started crying and eventually I had to let go and leave.
         I started walking 5 miles away from the hotel and she drove the other way from the hotel. I didn't have any money on me besides some coins that I'll later use to call Luhsette (in case of emergencies). I stopped in a grassy hill to get some rest. It was about 10pm at night and I could not stop thinking about Luhsette.
Next morning
          I forgot I was back on the road again. The birds woke me up this time. I got up and packed my things and started heading closer to Las Vegas, Nevada. I walked for about 10 miles until I stopped at a gas station. I went inside to take a piss real quick. Then I left and went behind the building to get more rest. When I woke up, something fell on me. It was bird poop. I screamed in disgust.
         I went inside the gas station to wipe the poop off me and to also change my clothes. After that I looked around to see if there was anyone watching or if there were any security cameras. I soon I saw it was clear. I grabbed a big bottle of water and ran out.
        The cashier started chasing after me. When I left the gas station, I saw a really nice red mustang. I glanced into the car and the face in there look familiar. I didn't mind it, I just continued to run.
       After a while I stopped running. I sat down on a sidewalk bench to try and drink some water. The red mustang that I saw earlier pulled up right in front of me. The person inside rolled down the window. I heard a familiar voice
       "Hey!" He screamed.
        "Yes?" I replied.
        "Were you the one who ran from the gas station?"
          "Depends. Who are you?" I said cause I still couldn't see his face.
          "That doesn't matter."
           He then came out of the car and instantly I knew who he was. It was that guy from the bar. The gang leader. He stood right in front of me and so did his friend.
           "Hey, sweetheart." He said in the most charming voice.
            Before I could even speak, he inject my legs with a substance that made my legs go numb. I fell to the ground and started screaming for help. But no one bothered. They all just stared and left. He then inject my arms. I still continued to cry for help. Then this one guy tried helping but the leader shot him with no hesitation.He shoved me in the back seats of his car.
           "SHUT UP!" He screamed. "I'm not afraid to shoot you."
           I instantly shut my mouth in fear of what's  going to happen if I don't. I sat there in silence while him and his friend were talking in Spanish and looking back at me.
          "Your really pretty." He said. "How old are you?"
          "21." I said that age that was on my fake ID.
          "Nahh. Don't lie. It's the 2000s. Shouldn't be lying around like that."
          I kept silence.
          "So? How old are you?" He asked while smiling. He knew that I couldn't resist that smile.
          "16." I said
          "Ayyeeee. She's perfect for Daniel." He said to his friend then turned back at me. "Your gonna like him. Trust"
          I kept silent the rest of the ride. I noticed some of his tattoos. One of his tattoos represented the San Chucos Gang. I should've known. I should've known from the start. I was scared. I didn't know what to do. He then spoke again.
         "Look. Imma give you 5 months to fall in love and stay in a committed relationship with my brother. If you don't, at the end of those months imma put a hole in you. Listen?"
          "Yessir." I said in a respectful tone.
           "Good. Imma call my brother. Tell him about it."
            He waited for his brother to answer the phone. I was not trynna stay in a fake relationship with a gang member. When we got into his neighborhood, there were so many shirtless people in the streets playing games and little kids running around. I was scared to get out of the car but I did it anyways to show him that I was not afraid.
            "Damn ma. Looking good." I heard a guy yell across the street.
           "Aye! Shut the fuck up!" The gang leader screamed.
           I went inside his house and it was filthy and smelled like cigarettes everywhere. I didn't wanna come off as disrespectful so I kept my face controlled.
           "Daniel!" He screamed. "She's here!"
           "Oooo. He's gonna love her. She's so fine." I heard one of the girls say.
           "Hold on. One second." Daniel replied.
           "You better hurry before everyone else eats her up."
           My throat sank when I heard him say that. Daniel came running down the stairs.