Million dollar Man

Chapter 1- Don't judge a book by its cover

Ashley's POV

Phone calls. How little they mean to some people. Yet they can change ones life. One minute you are buying a Starbucks hot chocolate and the next you are in frenzy of stress. Just that one phone call.

This phone call had made such an impact on my life.
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" Another drink Madame?"

Music was blaring through the speakers that made it seem like it was controlling your heart beat. A swift of sweat and alcohol drifted in the nightclub while lights were flashing from all over the place. Everyone was huddled together as their heads and hips swayed in time to the music. Ladies in tight mini dresses and men in smart casual clothing.

I took a swig of my cocktail drink while trying to dance like everyone else. My arms were up in the air and my hips were swaying. I smiled in pure content. Colourful lights danced around the room as people sang along to the songs.

3 drinks later, I stumbled to the toilets, with my handbag, to freshen up when my phone started ringing. It was my mum's number. "Hello?"
" Hi is this Ashley?" A deep voice questioned, taking me by surprise.
" Yes it is. Who is this?"
" Doesn't matter. You need to come immediately to the hospital. Your mum has had a heart attack. She has possibly two hours left to live."

Words could not explain how confused and stressed I became. I had even forgotten I was drunk until I walked into the toilet door. Suddenly the atmosphere didn't seem like friends huddled together, more like people were cramped inside a suffocating room. I tried to escape quickly; I barged through friend circles " you can carry on with your meeting if you let this drunk girl, i.e. me, out!" And pushed people out of my way. "Excuse me guy with big biceps!"

Eventually I stumbled outside, ripped off my shoes and ran towards the hospital. At the same time I tried getting taxis attention. I groaned from sheer distress. How was I to ever make it in time to see my mum, believing she is still alive? What if I don't get to say goodbye? What if she wanted to say something to me? Is she wondering where I am? I sighed and decided to just run.

I ran past a pub with four rough looking men standing outside. They eyed me up and down with eyes that could make your blood run cold, tattoos that make you shiver and a smile so sinister it would haunt your dreams. " Where you off to little girl?" The smallest of the four questioned, sliding in front of me. I quickly glanced at my watch. One and a half hours left. Oh god, I'm not going to make it. I'm not going to have a conversation before she dies.

I attempted at dodging him however failed when two men grabbed me from behind. My heart thumping and my blood turned cold. I was about to scream when my mouth was covered. I started to panic. My legs were wavering while I tried whatever I could to get them off me. I pushed, I kicked, I spat and I tried to bite. I was a helpless wreck. A prey about to be eaten by a predator. A rat about to be caught in a trap. I couldn't get out of it. There's only one problem with moments like this- I tend to focus more on the conversation in my brain than what is happening in reality. What did I do to deserve this? My dad had died and now it's my mum and I. Both, probably, on the same day. Perfect. I can't believe it! They are not going to let me say goodbye to my mum. Considerate much. I mean I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but right now I think I will. Their looks alone will get me killed, literally. I feel terribly bad for them, have they ever had a girlfriend? I mean I would ask but they have got their hands over my mouth so I can't talk. Great!

The tallest guy roughly pulled me to a deserted alley. This was really not how I planned my day, "Ouch! Mind my hair will you, it's giving me a headache."
He growled, "I. Do. Not. Care. Just give me everything you've got."
"Can I keep my watch?"
"No."
"What about my phone? "
"N-"
" Ahh come on. It's my most valued possession."
"Fine, only if you tell us a story. But the rule is, it has to make us cry."
I shrugged and figured yep you should definitely not judge a book by its cover. Who would have thought the four hefty guys would kidnap someone just so they can hear a sad story.

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