Yours Truly, Second Heartbeat

9 In between

Nick:

I gasped when a car stopped right beside me, I hugged my shoulders as I prayed this end quickly.

I heard the door open, "Oh my god, are you alright miss?" I heard a man's voice as he goes around his car and approached me. His steps slowly before he leans down to peep under my messy hair. I don't even dare to look at him.

"Do you need help? Little one, are you lost?"

"L-leave me alone." I breathe out, my heart pounding in my chest. The horrors from the last 3 days flashing in my eyes.

Don't cry, Nick.

I should run, but I cannot move.

"Are you hurt?" He reaches out his hand, but I move back from him. "I-I am not a bad person. I can help you, but you have to trust me."

My heart stops when I hear that. I gasp more for air, like no amount of oxygen could calm me down.

"It's okay, it's okay." He moves back a little when he hears my labour breath. "I'm sorry, little one." He pauses and seems to look around, I didn't realise he walked back to his car before returning in front of me.

I could see him through my fallen hair in my face, but it's unclear. I don't know if he's curious or concerned about what happened to me. When he suddenly put his phone between the space that separated us, he put his phone on speaker phone. The line rings and I stand still.

"Good evening, this is 911. What's your emergency?" The lady's voice sounds very clear and makes me lift my head and finally look at the man's face. He looks like he's in early 40's and I noticed a scar on his right forehead, taints his good looking face. His eyes are deep and full of worry, if I'm not mistaken. But, I can't even believe my own judgment. Because, if I was better at reading someone's character, this would never happen to me.

"Good day, ma'am. This is not a prank call, my name is Eli Ellis." He says, looks straight into my eyes. My eyes become teary and I can't control my emotions as my hearing becomes muffled, because I don't know what he's talking about on the phone.

Am I really safe?

"I drove near the school... and I found a girl. She's hurt and bleeding, she...she didn't want to talk to me. Could you please tell her that I can help?" He says and I wipe the tears away. Slowly putting out the phone to be closer, he looks at me.

My lips quiver, "I am..." The first thing comes out only a whisper.

"It's alright, take your time." He calms me down. I inhale a few times before continuing, "I'm Nicole...I'm a sophomore at Midtown High. I...my mum is the-"

"Sheriff?" The lady finishes my sentence before she gasps loudly. "You're the Sheriff's daughter, Nick aren't you? Oh my god!" She is shocked as shown by her choice of words.

"I got her." I think I heard her say that before the sound of bustling on the other line.

"Nick?"

My heart stopped for a moment. Mum?

"Nick, are you there? Oh god thank you. Nick? Are you alright, honey?"

I'm sobbing, "Mum?" I'm trembling. I can't even find a word other than that. I'm safe.

"Nick can you hear me?"

I look at the man in front of me, because I can't say anything. I'm overjoyed thinking that finally I am found. As if he understands me, he replies to my mum.