Tongue Tied

Chapter 1

I remember that looking at him hurt, like that sting in your chest or feeling in your palms when you see something you don't want to but can't seem to get it out of your mind, that's all I remember looking at him, hurt.

"Mel, the music's too loud, and it's too crowded in here, I'm going to step out for some fresh air," I yelled over the music to my best friend who couldn't seem to care because the 6'3ft blonde that she'd be eyeing finally bought her a drink. I walked away from the crowded bar, stepping on peanuts, crumpled up napkins that no doubt had random guys phone numbers on them given to girls who didn't care a single bit. I pushed my way through the sweaty bodies and perfume drenched teens and adults as I finally made my way out, stumbling onto the side walk, tripping over a girls purse.
Taking a deep breath in, I let the warm August air fill my lungs, and let my head stop spinning. Looking up & down the block, I wrapped my arms around myself, and went to grab my phone from the hidden pocket in this too tight of a romper.

"Shit," I said, looking and feeling for my phone, "where is that stupid thing?" I finally gave up, realizing I left in my clutch next to Melissa, I sat down on the curb with my head in my hands, humming along to the tune stuck in my head that was blasting in the bar. Hearing footsteps, I quickly looked up and saw a group 4 guys walking towards me, smoking and stumbling. Feeling uneasy I stood up, dusted myself off, and started the 3 block walk to my car. I took off down the street as I heard the footsteps of the men, and their laughter getting louder and louder.

"Hey hey hey, look over here" A deep voice said coming out of the darkness behind me, with wolf whistles following not long after.

"Hello darling, how are you doing tonight?" just as I reached my car, the voice called out, not far behind. I started to punch the code in, to get into the car, as I opened the door, a hand shot out from behind me, quickly closing it, spinning me around.

"Now now sweetheart, what's the rush? We just met, and the night's just starting." I started up stunned at a tall, dark haired man, easily in his late 30's, too scared to move, I looked behind him, and saw three other guys, all around the same height and build. Looking back at the man, that is seriously invading my personal bubble, I smiled sweetly.

"I'm sorry Sir, it's late, and I'm just trying to get home. So if you'll excuse me," I said and started to turn around to open my car, when suddenly I was pushed against the door with all this man's body weight against me, my wrist instantly snapping from the push, I screamed out in pain, with the man's body right against mine, I smelt the hours of booze on his breath, and bad hair gel.

"Listen little girl, like I said, we just met and the night's only beginning." He said, grabbing the wrist he just broke, and spinning me around so fast I almost fell to the ground. He took pride in this.

"Look at that boys! She's already falling to her knees for me!" Laughing along with his friends, he pushed me down, "well since you started, you might as well finish." I shook my head screaming, pleading, sobbing as my knee's hit the hard pavement, no doubt getting cut from all the rocks and cracks.

"Duke, let go of the girl, now." A deep voice, deeper than any other voice I'd heard tonight, cut in from behind the guys that were slowing creeping up on me. The guy, or now known as Duke, that had the grip on me, turned around, and chuckled quietly.

"Oh hello Grey, we're just having some fun with our new friend," turned to look at me, "what's your name doll?" Not responding to him, he just shook his head and look back at the dark shadow man, "well that doesn't matter, but me and pretty girl here were just about to have some fun."

"Duke, let go of the girl, and leave. Now." The guy spoke again, not sounding like there was room for discussion. The man let go of my wrist, letting me drop to the ground and fall on my wrist yet again, I screamed slightly, and sat up, clutching my wrist.
I looked at the guy who had me, and spit at his feet.

"Why you little bitch!" He screamed, and lunged for me. I dodged him, and he hit his face on my car door, by this time his friends were already leaving, and the mystery man was walking towards us, lifting "Duke" off his ass, and shoved him away from us. Duke fell on his knees, got up, and stumbled away to catch up with his friends, like he didn't just break a girls wrist.

"Come on, up" the guy said, slightly getting a look at him, I saw tattoos, and a black earring in his right ear. He grabbed my arm not exactly gently, and got me on my feet.

"Well?" He said looking at me impatiently. I looked at him dumbfounded.

"Well what?" I snapped back.

"Are you here with someone or what? What do you plan on doing about that wrist, cause clearly your judgement isn't the best." He said back at me, effortlessly.

"My judgement isn't the best? What exactly does that mean?" I said, getting slightly pissed off from him, and this god damn wrist.

"Well you clearly went to your car, by yourself, in the middle of the night, when there is drunk guys around, are you asking to get kidnapped?" He said as he ran his hand through his hair.

"You know what, thanks for the help. I appreciate it, but I'm going to go back to the bar, find my friend, and go get my wrist checked. See you never Shadow Man." I snapped, and walked away, cursing the slight limp I had, not wanting to look weak. I heard him chuckle, heavy footsteps, an engine start, and as I turned my head, I saw my shadow man took off down the road, fading into black.

"Oh my god, Hadaleigh!! What the fuck happened?" Melissa screamed as she came, stepping out the door. Looking at her, I broke down, sobbing. She grabbed me, and said "okay baby, let's get you to the urgent care."