~Keeping up With Elvis
The beauty of the fresh night sky soothed my soul as I walked down the bare streets of downtown Memphis. The darkness usually frightened me. It surrounded me and felt as though it would consume me, but now I know it can heal me mentally and I can discover my inner self. I watched each step carefully, for I knew if I fell I was alone and would find no help. I held my hands in front of me and peered into the night. The grounds of Memphis I knew so well had suddenly become unfamiliar and it brought me to great confusion. I had usually come here during the night so I could escape from the loneliness of my home and enter a more open area so I could think. Tonight was different. I suddenly felt a presence near me and it frightened me, "Who's there?" I whispered into the night. No reply. "Who's there?" I asked again, this time louder and moving against a wall. My breathing was getting heavier as the fear arose from the pit of my stomach. A noise from my far right made me jump, "I know you're there." I shouted. I turned to my left and began running from the noise. Not long after, running footsteps followed me.
"Get away! Help!" I screamed as the person grabbed me from behind and pushed me to the ground, "Quiet, you!" Shouted a man in front of me that shoved a cloth of some sort down my throat. Many hands began hitting me and tearing at my clothes. I whimpered in pain as a sharp kick hit my right side. Just then, a street light right next to me turned on and the darkness that had surrounded me was gone and I could see the 3 faces of my attackers, "Damn!" Shouted a man who covered my eyes with a cloth, tying it all too tightly. The men tore off what was left of my clothes until all I was in was my bra and underpants. They began to pound on my face and body once more.
Just then I heard a car stop quickly and a door open, "What's going on here?" Shouted a calm, yet furious man. There was another kick on my side then I heard the man from the car run at them, "Fuck!" Shouted a man as I heard punching and ruffled noises. There was running footsteps then I was picked up like a baby and carried into a car. I began to scream, kick and cry as the cloth was removed from my mouth, "Get away from me! Help! Help me, someone please!" I screamed clawing at everything around me, "Stop it. You're safe now! I saved you, you're safe!" I began to cry, "Please! Please don't hurt me!" He then removed the cloth from my face. He held my face gently between his hands and turned it to face him. He wiped the tears from my face and brushed my hair back, "You're safe. Do you know who I am?" I sucked in a deep breath and tried to answer, "You won't hurt me will you?" He smiled and hugged me, "I won't hurt you, baby" Tears began to fill my eyes and I hugged him hard, ignoring the pain, "Elvis?"
He hugged me for a while until he spoke again, "Shall I take you home? Or would you feel safer with me, at my house" I opened my eyes and rubbed at them, "Would you mind?" I asked in a shaky voice. His smile was warm and inviting...his eyes sparkled with happiness, "Not at all. I'd be honored if you would accompany me. I must take you to the hospital though, you're definitely hurt" I nodded and he hugged onto me the entire way there.
"You have no broken bones, surprisingly. But you have some bruised ones...You need stitches on your left side though" Said the nurse. I nodded and Elvis sat down on a waiting chair with his bodyguard, "Won't hurt a bit" The bodyguard said to me with a smile on his face. I smiled and looked at Elvis who was staring out the window deep in thought. Just then he looked at me and I looked away quickly, "I don't believe I ever caught your name?" I looked at him and he smiled, "My name is Michelle" I said smiling back as the nurse walked in with a few tools for the stitching I assumed, "Are you ready, Ma'am?" Asked the nurse. I nodded and she handed me a robe, "You can use this until you leave, please" I thanked her and put it on, slightly embarrassed as I somehow forgot all I was wearing was my under garments...I turned so she had easy access to my side and opened the robe, "Thank you" She whispered as she began cleaning out the wounds.
She finished up, I handed her the robe out the door, and we left, "Better?" Elvis asked as he helped me buckle my seatbelt. I tried to smile then he sat down and caressed my face with the back of his hand, " A little" I whispered crossing my arms, covering up my body secretly. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I rested my head on his shoulder, "You're safe with me, baby" He said in his adorable, dreamy accent. I smiled and took a deep breath as I settled into his warm touch. His smell was sweet but warm, gentle and tender. It reminded me of happiness and family. He appeared to be in his upper 20's or so and obviously very unbelievably handsome. He had a few scrapes on his head but they were minor. I figured they were from fighting off my attackers. A low giggle ruptured from my throat and he turned to me,
"What's funny?" He said smiling. I turned and smiled at him, " You saved my life" He laughed and sighed, "I wouldn't just leave a beautiful lady there to die" He smiled and held my hand, "We're here, Elvis" Said a man from behind the front limo window. He nodded and the driver shut the window.
When we left the car, Elvis, the bodyguard, and the driver covered me up from the people outside his gate as they walked me inside, "I had Kevin pick her up a robe" whispered the bodyguard into Elvis' ear. He nodded and they all left except Elvis, "Shall we go upstairs and get you into some clothing?" He asked. I nodded and he smiled. He held my hand and walked me up the stairs and into a room down the hall, "This is my room" he said as we walked in. It was beautiful and different. It smelled faintly of cider and Brut (men's shaving cream). I noticed some women’s clothing on his bed and sat next to them with him, "This must be your robe" He said pointing at the clothes. I nodded and picked them up. I unfolded it and smoothed it out. I held it out in front of me so I could get a better look. It was thin, silk and had fuzzy tips at the sleeves. It was skimpy, fancy and expensive, “Oh, Elvis...This is beautiful...I can’t accept this! It must have cost a fortune...” He smiled and chuckled, “It’s either you wear it, or you can be naked the rest of the night. Your choice.” I smiled and slipped on the robe, “I figured you’d choose that” He said smiling and standing up, “where will I sleep?” I asked yawning and rubbing my eyes. He smiled and laughed, “Well now, you can sleep in my guest room, just down the hall to the left. I’ll wake you tomorrow morning with some clothes for you” I nodded and hugged him, “Thank you, for everything. You have no idea how much I appreciate all of this. Thank you so much” He laughed and kissed my forehead gently, “You need rest. Tomorrow, I’m having a party. You can come if you’d like” I smiled and held his hand, “I’d love to” His smile grew wide and sweet, “Fantastic, goodnight, Darlin’!” He hugged me and walked me into the guest room, “Goodnight” I whispered as he shut the door.
