Secret Protector

Chapter 17: Gone Girl

I was in an alleyway it was dark probably around midnight. I was gone for maybe a week now I had thrown my phone away, "yes" I know it was a stupid idea but I was fine and safe. I was staying in a motel 6, probably my dumbest move yet. I was relaxed though, I was just trying to keep my head up and not cry from all the pain Nate has caused me. Everything he said just ran through my mind, it was a never ending memory. "Stop being pathetic Jess, your making a scene when there doesn't need to be one alright, I've had my fill with you I lied to you okay now just leave me alone and do me the favor and forget about me alright". Fine then now lets get back to reality, I don't wanna think about this anymore. So that's why I'm hidden in an alley way I was walking to a book store witch happened to be right in an alley. That's was a little odd to me, like I had a sense that I shouldn't be there. But me being me I didn't listen to that sense, I just told it to shut up and go away. In the pit of my stomach as I made my way towards it the feeling got stronger. Your probably wondering where I am well ill tell you this im not in florida anymore.

I am now in South Carolina trust me nobody will find me now. I'm in Summersville, South Carolina. Kinda just being free and roaming the area, I honestly don't know where I am. So I'm pretty much lost but ill be fine ill get back home soon. I'm just trying to get my mind off Nate. I had reached the door of the book store called "Greys Book Emporium" such a strange name. I turned the door knob and a bell rang signaling someone had entered the store. That person being me of course. I looked around this creepy old store and had seen dust bunnies everywhere along with spider webs. Behind the desk was a boy he looked around my age I glanced at him then went about my business walking over to the books. I saw the section that had said romance I walked over a touched every book with my fingertips and walked over to the next section. I stopped when I saw a book that had read "Secret Protector" I immediately grabbed the book off the shelf and walked to the counter. I cleared my throat and finally spoke to the young man. "Hi, I'd like to purchase this book". He gave me a sweet innocent smile and said "Total comes to $45". I smiled politely handing him the money, his hand grazed mine. He smiled again and blushed as did I, he was very attractive I'm not going to lie.

He had dark brown and almond brown eyes, he was toned you could just tell by looking at him. I put my book in a bag and handed it over to me and smiled. Then he spoke "Uh, Miss before you go would you like me to escort you out, you see its dark and well there might be some crazies out tonight". I laughed and nodded "Thank you so much and you don't have to call me Miss my name is Jessica". As he began walking me out to my car he smiled and we conversed a little before I drove off. I did get his name and its Joshua he likes being called Josh though and I respect that. He did ask me out on a date and I agreed politely. Maybe going on a date will help me not think so much about what Nate said. As I got back to the Motel 6 I had still felt like something was off. But I went in anyways and laid my head upon my pillow and pulled up the covers and fell asleep almost instantaneously.

Once I shut my eyes the dark was with me once again, it was nice to see a familiar sight. I was attracted to the darkness never not wanting to go further and beyond the dark abyss of nothingness that silenced my surroundings. Moments later I felt arms wrap around me holding me close, telling me to shut and finally go to sleep. Just to wake up shaking and screaming, sweat dripping down my face. Hands on my forehead clasping the sheets in between my fingers. It was just a dream oh lord I don't want that dream again ever. I had imagined Nate holding me close telling me to shut up finally. It was good but that Nate was gone. He might as well be dead to me I didn't want to ever see him again. For the final and last time I shut up and went to bed.

Hours later I hear a banging at my door, I wake up startled and frightened. I walk over to the door and peek though the window. I sigh and open up the door. Its just the Motel 6 owner Chris I had him the money fro the next few days ill be spending here. He looks at me a bit worried as if I've troubled him. "Jessica would you like to go to a safer place I have secret apartment room you can use for the next few days, its close to me so if anything happens I'm right there". I start to cry a little and nod accepting his offer. He helps me pack up my things, once were done he wraps his arm around me and gives me a sad smile. "Jess I'm 61 and me and Ursula thought maybe you'd be safer closer to us, sweety we heard you scream again last night and you look like a mess, what's wrong". As we walked up stairs to the secret room he first took me to his and Ursula's place and cooked dinner and I set the table and told them about everything with Nate.

"Oh, now darling Chris and I started out just like you two" Ursula paused as if remembering a memory of them. "But love is silly my dear, there's no explanation for him to say that but just don't you forget he's a guy they get scared when they fall in love they seem to forget we have feeling just as well, dear it'll all get better in time". I nodded in agreement as Chris put down the pot full of Ursula's favorite shepherd's pie. Setting it down he kissed her cheek, as sweet as they were I did want to go back home, but not just yet. A few more nights and i'd be ready.

Chris soon turned on the telly as he calls it and went right to the news. News channel 8 had been turned on the station and lets just say well it was global. I started to eat a few bites of the shepherds pie. As well as a sip of my sprite when I hear my name on the telly. "Hi, I'm Jane Smith and with me today is Dale K. James, with a heart breaking story that will have America shocked, why dont you tell them what's going on Dale". He clears his throat and that's when I turn to the telly and stare wide eyed. It in fact was Dale K. James my moms boyfriend what was going on. Dale finally spoke "Please Jessica R. Elliot if your out there still alive please come home your mother and I are worried when we cane home you were gone Jess you need to know we love you so much please please come home, everyone has come over waiting for your return". With that he walked off crying hard eyes dark red and it looked like he hasn't slept since I'd been gone. Poor Dale after that they showed a picture of me and I was now a missing person case. I turned away back towards the table with tears down my face.

Ursula had reached for her phone and told me to call someone. I smiled and thanked her. I walked off into another room and I heard the ringing tone then a husky male voice one I was glad to hear.