A Faltering self (Distorted Reality book 2)

Chapter 70- First Encounter

(Madison's POV)

I was lost again. Feeling misplaced and alone. I tried to call Connor, he's the one that helps me feel something when the numb sets in, but he's not picking up. He's been absent from school since the start of October. I tried messaging him to check in on him, but he's been ghosting me for over a week now. His mom says that he's home and fine, so I'm sure he has his reasons to be ignoring me.

It doesn't make this feeling right now any simpler. Any easier to not give into.

In desperation, I snuck out. It's not like me too and I'm terrified all the way until I'm at the bridge that I'm going to get caught. But once I am, I feel like I can finally breathe.

So, I do.

I close my eyes and pray for this feeling to stop. For the Lord to fix me, and help me get through it. Through this nightmare.

Please, Lord.

Opening my eyes, there's someone standing next to me. I'm on alert and try hard not to freak at his sudden appearance. It's Peter, I assume before looking to confirm that it's him. When I see his face barely lit by the night, he offers a distorted smile that makes my blood turn to ice. I'm unsure how to process what I'm looking at. There's a twist in my gut that tells me to run, but I can't even think of how to move.

"Someone's being adventurous tonight."

This has to be someone else... right?

This isn't Peter!

"Come on, Darling girl, What is it? You act as if you've seen a ghost."

That name. There's no doubt that this is Peter, but the monstrous face he wears is unlike any I've seen on him before.

I don't-

Whah...

Jesus Christ!

He walks closer, and I try to speak Jesus's name aloud. I try to push His name past my lips, but it won't come out. Nothing will.

Instead, fear floods me as I begin to cry and beg even more for Jesus to save me.

Please! Jesus! JESUS!

"JESUS SAVE ME!" I finally get the words out and in the next second, Peter is gone, and I'm left in the dark by myself.

I'm terrified still. Wanting anything but to be by myself, yet still thankful that Peter's gone. I can feel shadows all around watching me.

I hear a creak from the bridge behind me and jolt before I turn around to face the next horror that wants to taunt me tonight.

It's a figure that takes a moment for me to register as human, and a second after that to recognize who.

Connor!

I run to him and instantly wrap my arms around him without even thinking about it. He seems hesitant to do the same, but finally does. I haven't hugged him before.

"What are you doing here? It's in the middle of the night, what were you thinking?"

His words are harsh, and I wonder if it's Alder speaking. He would be the one to scold me for something so stupid. But I don't know who it is. I'm just thankful that I'm not alone.

"I know, I know, it's just- I get it, it was stupid."

I look up at him still crying, and something seems to soften in his expression, but I could be wrong. It could have just been the shifting of light on his face.

He cups the left side of my face and wipes some tears away with his thumb.

I realize that maybe I shouldn't still be holding onto him. Especially if it is Alder right now. I don't have a clue what he even thinks of me. I get the impression that he probably thinks I'm annoying like everyone after awhile.

WHY DID I EVEN DO THAT?

What if he doesn't want me hugging him?

I pull away and hate myself for not thinking before I did that.

"I'm, sorry... I uh, I should get home." I can't look at him now and instead, start walking past him to head home.

Please, stop me.

Please don't make me go alone.

I'm off the bridge, and he hasn't said anything. else

Okay, I guess I am stuck heading home alone.

I realize that it was selfish wanting him to go out of the way to walk me home when I'm the one who chose to sneak out by myself in the first place.

"Madison, I hope you don't think that you're walking by yourself. So, please wait, up"

I stop and he jogs up beside me and we continue down the path out.

Thank, You, God.

For both.