I crinkled up my nose and slowly batted my eyes open. To my surprise the comforting feline was still right there. She was pawing my face so that I would awaken. I breathed in the fresh morning air as the dew surrounded me, the stream made it's way onward, giving off its luxurious noise as it went over rocks and down and uphill as if it were a water ride. The birds sang their peaceful songs in the trees, and just barely could I hear the squirrels and their little clicking noises. To me this was pure paradise. Such a hectic night, and then I had the privilege to wake up to this sheer bliss. The smell of violets intertwined with fresh air entered my nose and I took deep breaths as I looked up at the puffy white clouds so that I could relax and try to erase previous and traumatizing memories. After about five minutes of the serenity, I decided to munch on a nutri-grain bar that I placed in my bag. Because all together I wasn't a selfish person, I fed some to the cat who devoured it just as I had been. As I finished up the last semi-filling bites, I got up slowly, put on actual clothes, and picked up my belongings. I looked around, took everything in one last time and said farewell to these surroundings, for I was almost positive I would not be back. I started off and heard something behind me, a shock stuck my body and I instinctively turned around only to see the cat. I knelt down.
"Kitty go home, your owner would be sad if I took you" I spoke gently. The cat just meowed and jumped into my arms as it licked my fingers and then bumped its head up under my chin. I didn't know if I should take it or leave and and feel lonely the rest of my journey, so therefore, I thought I should take it with me.
"C'mon kitty" I said as I got back up, and she followed by my side. I looked down, and she looked up.
"Im gonna name you Isabella." I told the cat. She then started to rub back and forth on my legs, and she signaled her head in a forward direction.
"Right, we should get going." I said to her. We started to walk once again and I had no idea where I was going. There were six pathways to go down in front of me, all of them identical, and me not knowing which one would lead me home. I went down the middle one and started to wander. I kept walking and humming tunes to myself until I tripped over a log and stumbled in a puddle of mud. I stood up, got out, and shook the mud off. I cursed under my breath and kept walking. I looked far ahead and I saw an ending to this gloomy and everlasting path. I picked up the cat, placed her in my backpack, and I ran and ran until I came to the end. It certainly wasn't my home, I was at a main road on this interstate with many cars. I walked alongside the road, thrilled to be back with crazy, stupid humanity once again. I saw an exit for Portland. Only had I heard stories about this place. I walked into it quickly and continued until I saw tall buildings, people and cars all over, shops, and much more as my new environment. I mean what girl covered in mud with bags and a cat in her backpack could possibly fit in here. I continued to walk until I saw a bench and sat down in it. I took ten dollars d my pocket, and went into the convenient store to spend it on a snack and drink for I hadn't had one since the early morning, and it was now seven o'clock at night. I went back outside, broke, and started to gulp the drink down with delight and a strong sense of refreshment. I set myself up for sleep since the population died down and I was tired as could be because of my long journey and late night. As I started to fall asleep, I heard the air breaks of a local bus sound. The doors swung open, and a guy that looked pretty similar to Jamie walked out and saw me. He sat down next to me.
"Hey, sorry to ask but are you homeless?" He asked timidly
"Well, I'm from Philomath, and its very small. You see i'm not homeless, I have a home. Just not anywhere near here." I started to tell him the story of what happened with Jamie, which took about thirty minutes. Once I was finished talking he spoke
"Listen, I just moved out, I have an apartment near here. And I live alone. By any chance, do you want somewhere to sleep tonight instead of a store's rusty bench?" He questioned.
"Well, if it's not too much trouble, then that sounds great. Umm, I didn't catch your name." I replied
"Rikki's the name, rock music is the game"
"Wow I love metal. We can listen to some tonight! my name is Carrinina, Carri for short by the way." I spoke back
"Well Carri, let's go home. I started to walk and laugh with him back to his apartment as Isabella jumped out of my bag right in front of me.
"Oh my god. I forgot to mention I had a cat.." I spoke shamefully.
"I love them! I have one. Its fine Carri." He replied with a chuckle and a reassuring tone.
We continued to walk and I held the cat and he stroked its fur. We talked about Asking Alexandria as he said
"Sorry to interrupt, but we are here"
I looked up at this huge and elegant building. It was a hotel.
" You live here?!" I asked shockingly
"Well, my parents own the hotel. I have the biggest suite here. Let's go" he spoke happily
I was so thrilled. I just couldn't gain feelings for him because I didn't need another Jamie situation. We got into the elevator and rode up to the 28th floor.
"Listen Rikki, I just wanna thank-"
"Ah ah ah, no need. You deserve this. You deserve more than him." he said as he stroked my arm.
" Wow, thanks dude." I said brightly.
We got off and started to walk towards the room. He stuck the key in the keyhole, and turned it. Inside we were. It was humungous! There lay a living room, a dining room, a corridor to the right with the bathroom and master bedroom. I put down my cat, my bags, and started to look around. That was until I heard loud banging, and ran into the source, the master bedroom. There was rikki blasting The final Episode by asking Alexandria as he played along brilliantly on the drums shirtless. His tattoos ran up his body, as his chain hung below his black pants. He looked up and noticed me. He stopped the music.
"You like?" He spoke
" Obviously, what am I , stupid?!" I responded.
" COme lay down and watch t.v. with me I need to talk to you." He said as his voice dimmed.
I followed his instructions and did as told.
"What is it?" I said
" You know why I let you come home with me?" He asked
"you felt bad…?" I responded
" No. Jamie was my guitarist but we kicked him out of our band because he was insane. " He said
I was absolutely shocked. He noticed.
" I can tell he used you, and you're too good for him. Now, i'm no Jamie, but this is an order. " he said
" What's that?" I spoke questionably
" Im taking care of you whether you want me to or not." He said as he looked at the bruises.
He looked back up at me and brushed my hair back. He handed me a big t-shirt and i slipped it on with nothing but my undergarments underneath.
" I should go to the couch now" I said as I started to walk away.
I felt loving arms wrap around behind me.
" One more demand, sleep in my arms tonight."
