a new chapter already, aren't I efficient? anyway I hope you lot enjoy this and please comment and vote to let me know you liked. <3
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I had left Jackson’s about an hour ago and had been wandering the streets aimlessly. All I had with me was my bag and I was still wearing the same clothes that I was in when Jackson kidnapped me. Thankfully it was late afternoon so it was light out and I seriously hoped there was a mall somewhere so I could get out of these clothes. I honestly didn’t have much idea of where I was but I was glad to have finally gotten out of that stupid apartment and away from Jackson. I decided that this was it; I was never going to see him again. I didn’t know what his boss was going to do for him monumentally fucking up for the second time but frankly, I didn’t care. Jackson could rot for all I cared.
“Shit!” How could I forget to call my Dad? I scrabbled around in my purse, desperately hoping that Jackson had left it in there and not taken it off of me. I let go off the breath I’d been holding when I realised it was in there but my happiness soon shattered when I realised it was completely dead. Great. Now I had to find a payphone on top of everything else. I feel a stab in my chest when I thought of how worried my Dad probably was and Cynthia too. It really wasn’t like me to take off randomly and not tell anyone where I was. And it wasn’t like Dad didn’t worry about me enough; he called me about 4 times a day. I mean, 4 times is tame compared to the weeks after Jackson’s attack but he’d finally taken a step back recently and got himself a hobby. He’d taken up woodwork classes and spent the majority of his time in his garage making chairs and little tables. I only wish that he got out more and maybe met someone. Mom died 4 years ago but my Dad isn’t the kind of man to pick himself up quickly and move on. He tells me constantly that he enjoys being alone and that he doesn’t need anyone but me. I guess he’s where I get most of my traits from; I like being alone too. At least, I thought I did. The only difference between Dad and I is the way we deal with tragedy I suppose. Whenever something happens, I still manage to haul myself out of bed and keep myself busy so I don’t have to deal with it.
My feet were starting to ache from walking in my ridiculous heels for more than an hour. Thankfully, I could see some kind of city centre ahead and a payphone sat a little bit down the road. I picked up my pace, eager to reach it and call my Dad. Pushing my money in, I tapped in our home number and held my breath as it rung. I breathed a sigh of relief when he picked up on the 3rd ring.
“Hello?”
“Dad? It’s Lisa.”
“Leese?” Even though it was my own Dad, I still cringed hearing that nickname as the thought of Jackson popped into my head. “Honey, I’ve been worried sick! Where are you?”
I suddenly felt reluctant to tell Dad the truth. I didn’t want to give him a heart attack by mentioning Jackson but I didn’t have any reason to lie.
“I just got called away for work; it was pretty out of the blue. My phone died too so I haven’t been able to ring anyone. I’m fine though, don’t worry Dad.” There was a pause as he took in my lie.
“Okay. When will you be home?” I was taken aback by the relaxed tone of his voice. I wasn’t expecting him to be so casual about it.
“Um, maybe tomorrow. I’ll find a way to let you know. I should go now Dad. Love you.”
“Love you too sweetie.” And with a click I hung up the phone. I wasted no time in putting more money in and tapping the number for my work, the Lux Atlantic. I needed to tell Cynthia in case Dad rang work to verify my story.
“Lux Atlantic, this is Cynthia.”
“Cynthia, it’s Lisa.”
“Oh my God, where the hell have you been? The manager’s been going nuts.”
“I’m sorry. Look, something happened and I had to leave. I’m not going to explain it until I get back but if my Dad rings can you tell him I went out of town for work? That’s what I told him and I don’t want him to get suspicious.”
“Lisa, are you safe? Are you okay?” I rolled my eyes.
“Yes Cynthia. I’m fine. I’ll see you really soon okay?”
“But-“ I hung up before she could ask any more questions. I felt bad for being so vague and mysterious but if I told them both that Jackson had suddenly appeared in my life again and kidnapped me, imagine how much havoc it would cause? Besides I didn’t lie about being safe, I was away from Jackson and I had money to get home. It would be fine.
“Do you mind?” I let out a gasp at the sudden voice next to me. I turned to the man stood to my right; he was bald and tall and had muscles the size of Russia. Why did I recognise this guy?
“S-sure, sorry. Go ahead.” I stepped backwards so he could get to the payphone. Shrugging off the weird feeling he gave me, I turned to walk down the street and headed to what looked like a mall. The whole time I walked down the street, I got the strange feeling that someone was watching me or following me but I figured it was just excess paranoia after the past couple of days.
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It was around 4pm and I was sat in a diner inside the mall. The weather had gotten considerably colder since the day Jackson forced me to go with me so I bought a plain oversized jumper, some plain black skinnies and some basic Converse type shoes. It wasn’t usually what I wore, I was used to wearing blouses and skirts, but I honestly just wanted to be comfortable. I was cradling my coffee and watching the people around me. The cashier had told me that my best bet to getting home was to take a bunch of buses and then a taxi but I figured I had a bit of time to just sit and mull over my thoughts. I didn’t know whether I was pleased that Jackson hadn’t bothered to come after me. I was so sure that there was something there worth waiting around for but I guess I was wrong. I tipped the rest of the coffee into my mouth and got up to leave, flashing the cashier a grateful smile before heading out. I decided to head to the restroom before I left as I figured it would be a long journey home. After I’d finished, I went to pull the door open but before I could, someone grabbed me round my neck and quickly pressed something to my nose. I soon realised that this was something like chloroform and everything in my head went black.
