Paper Birds

Chapter Twenty-Seven ; Tied to Imagination

Clarissa's P.O.V.

I tossed and turned in the bed, unable to shake off the dream and fall asleep. Harry laid beside me, his chest rising and falling peacefully. I placed my forehead against his shoulder blade and took a deep breath, trying to calm my heartbeat. He shivered but remained asleep as I ran my eyes down his back at all of his tattoos. I blushed when my eyes met to his briefs, rolling over and getting out of bed. I wouldn't be able to stay in that hotel room without going crazy. I threw a pair of baggy sweatpants over my shorts and threw on my New York Rangers hoodie and the snapback that matched it. I shoved my feet into my black converse, grabbed my room key and left without a sound, closing the door with a soft click. I don't know what I was thinking, going out at nearly two in the morning for a 'walk'. Wasn't thinking straight, I guess, but it landed me in a deep pile of shit.

The cold bit at my cheeks, the wind scattering small droplets of rain everywhere. I pulled my hood up over my hat, trying to keep myself as dry as possible. The fresh air seemed to clear my thoughts and open up my mind. For a couple of minutes I kind of just stared up at the dark blue sky, letting the rain fall on my face. I fingered the phone in my pocket, wondering if I should've brought it along with me.

My more logical side kicked in. I blinked and wondered what the heck I was doing out here. I yawned and turned around to head back to the hotel, registering in my brain that I actually was tired despite my dream. The dream wasn't as bad as the others but still left me in a daze. I couldn't remember the details, but I could recall someone screaming and crying. I tried not to think about it too much.

Very suddenly I felt someone grab my hood and yank me back, choking me to the point where the fabric left a mark on my skin. A white cloth covered my mouth and vision collapsed into a red haze until everything went completely dark.

----

"What should we do with her? What if it isn't Clarissa Coligan?"

"Are you blind, man? Look at her. Spittin' image of what we saw on TV."

"But she had long hair."

"Any idiot with scissors can change that, dumbass. "

A third voice spoke. "Either way we're gettin' a good profit."

I shoved my face into my hoodie to muffle my cough so they thought I was still asleep. Something was wrapped around my chest and arms, digging into my skin. It felt like a.. like a seatbelt tied on too tight. I peeked one eye open and found that I was right. It was really hard to breathe with it on, let alone try and process what was happening.

"Hey, I think she's awake."

Freaking pimps, I assumed. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to breathe too heavily though I was scared to death. Goosebumps started to raise on my arms. I noticed my hoodie, and jeans were gone. Thankfully I still had my tank on, though without jeans the rest of my legs are numb in this weather.

Crap. Either they were pimps or very thorough robbers.

I felt the end of the seatbelt being grabbed and I was being dragged on the cement, the seatbelt being even more embedded into my skin. I winced but kept quiet.

"Better get her in, fast."

"Better get out of here, fast," I muttered, barely audible.

"Aye, did you here that?"

"Yeah, I heard that."

I squinted one eye open to see two of the guys staring at me. I had to act, fast. I flipped myself around on the ground and kicked the guy dragging me in the shin. He contracted, giving me a moment to stand up. Very quickly I was on my feet, kicking the second one in the balls. He fell to his knees, though the third guy seemed really, really angry.