My Temptation

16

J  A N E

I scramble to get up off the floor but Mason grabs a hold of my hair and yanks me back, hard and fast. He wraps his hands around my neck and tightens it, he uses his grip on my neck to lift me off the floor then he slams me against the wall. I scratch and claw at his hands but he doesn't budge, I use all my strength to try and push him off of me but it's as if  I'm not even touching him. His grip tightens harder and I start feeling myself slow down, the world around me is darkening and all I can feel now is my life slipping away - moment by moment , second by second.

All I can think about is how my father is going to be completely alone now. He's lost my mom and now he's going to lose me. Miles's face flashes in my mind and it pains me that we never had a chance. He left and now this happens to me, knowing him - he will blame himself  forever. I'm leaving this earth without ever knowing what it felt like to be loved, I'm leaving this earth scared and alone. I'm dying from the hands of someone who I trusted.

My hands drop to the side of my body, going limp and I can't keep my eyes open anymore. My eyes close and the darkness takes over me. My body drops to the floor.

I jolt up in bed, gasping for air. My hands fly to my neck as I realize I was just dreaming. I look around the room, my hospital room. My neck feels insanely sore and sensitive to the touch.

"Hello?" I rasp out breathlessly, hearing my voice and it sounds terrible. Mason really did a number on me.

The sound of a toilet flushing catches my attention and my head whips to the direction of the bathroom. The door opens and he steps out, not my father... but Miles.

I let out a small gasp which causes him to look up. His eyes fall on me and he freezes, my eyes widen in shock. I quickly rub my eyes to make sure I'm not dreaming again but no, he's really here right now.

"Miles?" I say, barley audible. His eyes soften when I say his name. I look at him and notice his eyes are red and puffy. Has he been crying? When the hell did he get here? How long was I asleep for?

"Jane... you're awake." He says slowly making his way to me. He sits on the chair that's pulled up next to my bed.

Now that he's closer, I can get a good look at his face and I notice his lip looks busted slightly which causes me to worry.

"What're you doing here?" I ask and he swallows hard, looking down at the floor.

"I'm here for you. Your father called me and told me what happened, I didn't waste another second hoping on a plane and coming here." He says and I just stare at him for second, still in shock that he's here.

"You got on a plane to come here? Isn't your hometown just a couple hours away?" I ask and he nods.

"Driving would've taken me like three hours or so, flying was much quicker. I had to get here as quick as I can when I heard what happened to you." He says and I swear I can hear his voice tremble.

"Why did you come back?" I ask, he stares at me in silence for second before speaking up.

•••

M I  L E S

Ever since I saw my mother again, things have gotten better. She was missing from my life for a long time that I forgot how it felt like to even have a mother. I told her about Jane and everything that happened between us, and of course, she scolded me for leaving the way I did but she also understood. But anyway, we've been catching up every day since we reconnected and it's been nothing but wonderful. I've needed her for so long but I never realized it until now.

Brian and I are currently sitting in a burger joint, waiting for our order to be called. "So are you ever going to start working again?" He asks and I let out a deep sigh.