Aqua Escape

Chapter 2: First Encounter

"Luna."

I jolted awake from my slumber, my eyes snapping open. I looked over at my mother, whom had stopped the car.

"Where are we?" I asked, disoriented as I looked around. We were parked in front of yet another gas station. I frowned.

Mom rubbed her forehead. "We're in Sanibel already, but I'm confused on how to get to your Aunt's house. Think you can get out and ask for direction with me?" she asked wearily.

I immediately nodded and followed her out the car. It was dark out already, and it seemed shady as I spotted a few guys smoking outside the gas station. A cool breeze swept my hair from my face, and I pulled my sweater around myself as we made our way towards the entrance.

Mom opened the door, but just as I was about to follow, a hand wrapped itself tightly like a vice around my wrist. I winced as nails dug into my skin and I turned around to see the hand's owner.

A guy in his early twenties sneered down at me, exposing crooked teeth. I cringed away from him, my eyes wide with fear. I attempted to twist my arm out of his grasp, but he was too strong.

"What do we have here?" he snarled as the rest of his friends cackled with laughter.

"Please let me go," I pleaded weakly.

The man gave a harsh laugh and then I was suddenly pulled brusquely against his scrawny body. His rotten breath fanned over my face, stinking of tobacco.

The door burst open and my Mother marched out, livid. "You let go of my daughter now," she ordered.

The man snorted. "And now why would I do that?"

My mother put her hands on her hips, fixing him with a withering glare. "I'll call the police," she threatened.

I squirmed in the man's arms, but it was futile. His arms only tightened more around me. "Let go," I begged.

The man's seething glare fixed on me, and his hand flew out and painfully gripped my jaw. "No, you're coming with me," he growled.

I bit hard on my tongue, tasting blood.

The man was suddenly shoved off me, and I stumbled, falling on my back. A fierce teenage boy towered over the man, his back tense as he faced away from me.

I scrambled away, standing and retroceding beside my Mom.

The boy wore the gas station's uniform. His hair was a silky blonde, and his arms were toned and tan. "What's the meaning of this?" he demanded furiously.

The man who had threatened me backed away like the coward he was. "I-I'm sorry, we'll leave," he stumbled away to his friends, who were already backing away slowly. After a moment they all broke into a run and disappeared into the night. I sighed in relief.

The young man turned to face us. "I'm sorry about that," he said apologetically.

I was breathless as I assessed him. He was the most handsome boy I had ever seen. His eyes were an iridescent pale blue. His lips were full, and his face was slim, perfectly sculpted. His lashes fanned out, thick and long, framing his beautiful eyes. He loomed over us, easily six feet tall.

I stepped closer to my Mom, intimidated. She was the first to break the awkward silence. "Thank you for helping. I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't been there," she said gratefully.

The boy nodded solemnly. "You are welcome. Are you alright?" his eerie, yet gorgeous gaze met mine.

I blushed, unable to form any words. "Yes, I mean he only--- he didn't hurt me---thanks," I mumbled incoherently, peaking at him from beneath my lashes bashfully.