Jukai

Chapter 5

Louisiana Southern

Nicole pov

As Terry settled me into the passenger seat, I persisted in my efforts to break free and call for help, fully aware that my cries would go unanswered. Gaining composure, I welcomed the comforting heat of the car's heater. Feeling it dispel the lingering chill from my skin, causing the goosebumps to slowly fade.

The dampness of my clothes clung to my form, creating a sensation of discomfort.

Moving closer to the door, I noticed Terry staring out at the steady rainfall with a determined expression. His jaw clenched as he let out a sigh.

"Let's be honest, we're not exactly fond of each other," Terry stated, turning to look at me with his piercing ocean-blue eyes.

I can't abandon you in this place," Terry expressed, assessing my situation with a composed demeanor. "You won't last long on your own out here." his voice was too calm for my liking...

That was the goal - for no one to even realize that suicide was how I chose to end things. They might just assume I perished amid this hurricane.
The intention was to keep my suicide a secret I thought to myself.

Terry's words snapped me out of a daze, his lips moving as I struggled to focus. Though I couldn't hear anything, my mind played tricks on me.

Terry spoke once more, and his irritation was evident on his face.  as he asked if I was even listening. Nodding in affirmation, I found myself unable to vocalize my thoughts, opting instead to simply nod as he shifted the truck into gear.

All my vitality seemed to drain from me, leaving me feeling utterly depleted. Collapsing into the passenger seat, all I wanted was to disappear, lacking the energy even to step out of the car.

It felt as though my body had become immobilized.

The ride in the car was completely silent, except for the steady hum of Terry's truck and the relentless rain hammering against the windows.

With my eyes shut, it felt like I couldn't resist it anymore, my body exhausted from all that walking.

The sound of the truck door slamming shut startled me awake. I quickly followed Terry as he grabbed my bags from the backseat.

As we ascended the stairs to his front porch, I felt a surge of dizziness overwhelm me, worsened by the rain that continued to fall steadily.

Without exchanging a word, Terry unlocked his front door and motioned for me to enter. I stood by the door as he secured it behind us. Then went into a back room without speaking. I lingered awkwardly in the living room, unsure of what to do next.

Looking in the direction of the noise, as Terry approaches me.
"I brought you some new clothes to change into.
"I can't have you ruining my furniture," Terry said, offering me the clothes.
"Thank you," I responded softly as I gathered the clothes.

Terry stated with a hint of attitude, "There's a bathroom in the back on the right side."

Hastening to the bathroom, I was about to inquire about showering but Terry interjected, "Yeah, you can shower. I don't care," before heading up the stairs without looking back at me.

His behavior was despicable, fueling my intense dislike for him. Despite my frustration, I couldn't deny that his bathroom was quite pleasant.

I didn't waste any time, turning on the shower and shedding my damp clothing. Stepping under the warm water, I relished the feeling of bliss and relaxation it brought.

As I strolled out, my body felt rejuvenated. I dressed in the attire that Terry had provided me and returned to the hallway.

Adorning the walls were photographs of Terry's family and memories from his time in the military. I took my time, carefully examining each picture with curiosity.

He never appeared to smile in any of his photos, always sporting a stern expression. He seemed constantly displeased.

Our inability to connect stemmed from his lack of humor and inability to take a joke.

As kids, we used to argue and bicker constantly, just like cats and dogs. Even though Terry was older than me. We spent a lot of time together.

Entering the kitchen, I noticed a noise and saw him standing by the countertop with his back turned to me.

"Thank you once again," I expressed, meeting his gaze as he shifted towards me. He simply nodded and placed a plate in front of me, unveiling a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Taking a seat at the island, I spoke calmly as he turned back around and didn't acknowledge my presence.

"Once this rain stops, I'll be heading out. You don't need to worry, I won't be staying." I spoke with a hint of irritation. I found it unbearable to be around him.

Just be quiet and shut up. This rain is relentless and won't let up until Friday. "We have a long way to go with this hurricane, and tornado warnings are still a threat.... Terry's voice trailed off as he left me sitting in the kitchen, the sound of a television now audible in the background. "I had to get out of here," I thought to myself.