Be Careful in the Dark

Chapter 2

Rain was drizzling onto my face catching on my eyelashes. I ran without looking back, for if I did he would be there chasing me desperate to catch me. My heart was pounding in my chest making it rather hard to breath. I focused on the sound of my feet hitting the wet ground.

I stopped unable to breath any longer. I looked back, and to my surprise I didn't see anyone or anything.

He must have went back to the hotel. I thought to myself.

Suddenly in the distance, I could see headlights and the hum of Braden's car. I ran into the woods that was on either side of the road, and crouched behind a bush. I breathed silently out of my mouth to catch my breath. I waited.

His white car pulled over to where I had been standing only moments ago. My phone rang. I swore quietly and silenced it. I heard his door shut leaving the headlights on. The sound of footsteps on pavement filled the air. Behind me a twig snapped. My head shot up, and I screamed at the top of my lungs.

A man was standing above me. His head was split open and there was stab wounds all over his chest.

"Mack?" Braden yelled.

I ran out from behind the bush, and ran into his arms.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

Just at that moment the man came out from behind the bush as well. Beside me Braden gasped. He pulled me over to the car, and I hurried in.

The man got to my foot when Braden hurried off.

"Did you get my bag?" I asked.

He nodded. "Are you alright?"

I looked over at him. "I guess not.'" He smiled putting his hand on my knee, rubbing it with his thumb.

After a silent few minutes of driving, I looked through his CD collection and put one of them into the player.

"Really?" He asked as my favourite song came on.

I giggled. "Of course."

We sang along to "Counting Stars" by One Republic.

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When the song ended Braden pulled into a hotel.

"I thought you said that you didn't have enough money." I questioned.

"I got payed, and I know someone." He laughed.

He pulled in and parked. We sat there for a moment in silence not sure what to say.

I looked over at Braden, and he looked back at me. "Mack," he said, "I'm really sorry for trying to kiss you. I thought that you wanted it, but I guess not."

I looked into his blue eyes and smiled. "It's fine. I wasn't prepared for it."

"Are you now?" Braden asked tilting his head slightly.

We inched our faces closer not losing eye contact until we were too close to not to. Our lips pressed together for a moment. A warm sensation filled my whole body; it relaxed every muscle in my body. He moved my hair out from my face, and I smiled on his lips.

Our lips separated. When I opened my eyes, his were staring right back at me. I smiled and pulled back slowly.

Braden got out; grabbed my bag, and opened my door. "Thank you." I giggled stepping out.

We walked into the hotel and I examined the room. It was much better than the motel we were at before. Braden took me over to the front desk. The lady behind it couldn't have been more than 20 years old. Her red hair was straight, and her name tag said Sally.

"Hello," she said, "welcome to the Winchester. Do you have reservations?"

"No." Braden said calmly.

"Not a problem." Sally chirped. "Just the two of you?"

He nodded, and reached into his pocket for his wallet. She observed every detail of Braden's body. I put my head against his shoulder teasing her. Was I feeling jealous? I didn't think I had feelings like this for Braden but maybe I did. Sally glared at me, until Braden looked up.

"Good to go." She smiled giving Braden two room keys.

"Thank you." He smiled giving me one.

We left the desk and went to the elevators. I pressed the up button and we waited. When it got there we walked right in.

The door closed. "She was totally checking you out." I said.

"I know." He smiled. "She's the one who gave us the discounted price."

"So making her jealous probably wasn't the best idea?" I worried.

"No no I payed before you put your head on my shoulder."

"Oh." I giggled. "You noticed what I was trying to do?"

The elevator door opened and Braden motioned me out. "After you." He smiled.

"Why thank you." I said stepping out.

We walked down the hall in silence. I counted the numbers until ours 226.

"Here we are my dear." Braden joked opening the door.

I walked into the room and turned on the light. There was a small bathroom to my right; then a large bedroom with two queen sized beds. The tv was mounted to the wall, and there was a small kitchen area.

On one of the beds was a basket with: chocolate, mints, fruit, and popcorn

I looked in the bedside table drawer and found a movie collection. Classic movies to be exact.

"How did you know my favourites?" I asked.

"I know you better than you think." He smiled looking through the basket. "Pick a movie and I'll pop popcorn."

I picked a few movies unsure of which one to watch. I set them on the bed. "The Great Gatsby", "Pretty Woman", and "Titanic."

"Come pick which one." I laughed.

"I asked you to pick though."

"Yes I know, but I can't decide." I argued.

"We could watch them all." Braden suggested going into the fridge.

"Is that loaded as well?" I joked.

"Yes actually it is. You're favourites."

I grinned, and put "Titanic" into the DVD player. Braden got the popcorn from the microwave and laid next to me. I put my head on his chest as he wrapped his arm around my body.

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At the end of the movie I looked up wiping tears from my eyes. Braden had already fallen asleep.

"Goodnight." I whispered kissing his cheek.

I moved the popcorn, turned off the tv, and the lamp then curled up with Braden and fell asleep.