Stockholm Syndrome - ThatcherJoe

1.

After spending the most of the day traipsing round Brighton with my sister, Zoe, and her boyfriend, Alfie, we decided to sit down and take a rest. I loved visiting Brighton, living by the sea must be so cool, but I also loved the busy atmosphere in London.

"Zoe this tea is vile, why did you bring us here?" I moaned, looking down at the watery slop in the cup.

"Oh? I heard this place was good!" She chuckled.

"Joe we come here most the time and it's brilliant stop complaining!" Alfie laughed. I pulled a frown and handed him my phone.

"Oi PointlessBlog, take a picture of me looking indie with my sloppy tea!" I said. Zoe tutted and rolled her eyes at us. Me and Alfie both loved photography and taking pictures of random things and I think Zoe was fed up of us both.

"There you go ThatcherJoe," he laughed, passing my back my phone.

"I'm sorry PointlessBlog and Zoella287361036" I started. Zoe rolled her eyes yet again, she despised my Zoella jokes. "But I've got to return this tea it's utter dog shite" They both laughed as I got up and manoeuvred around the outdoor tables and back inside the cafe.

"Excuse me?" I said to the young lady behind the counter, she was small, fair and had long blonde hair, her name badge read 'Anäis'.

"Yes?" She said, turning round and smiling. Her accent was strange. Almost Australian yet slightly resembling a posh London-er.

"Um, I ordered this tea and it's disgusting, no offence" I flashed her a smirk, I didn't want to embarrass the girl but her tea truly was shit.

"I'm sorry sir, let me make you another cup, on the house!" She smiled. I guess she wasn't offended, maybe she got it a lot?

After our tea catastrophe, we took a stroll down the pier. It was late afternoon so everything was shutting down soon. Zoe and Alfie were distracted with taking photos on the funny face-in-hole amusements, so I wandered off down the end of the pier. It was empty and everything was closed up. I looked back and saw Zoe give me a thumbs up, I guess that meant something? Unfortunately, she hadn't reminded me of this secret language.

I got right to the end of the pier and took a moment to appreciate the sea in all its glory. The waves crashed against the poles that held me up. Imagine what would happen if they collapsed right now. It could happen at any moment. I was starting to scare the shit out of myself so I turned around and started strolling back towards the gates. I noticed a maintenance man walking over to the them, shaking the gates and walking away. Only then did I notice the huge padlock and chain wrapped around them. I was locked in. I quickly sprinted back towards the entrance. I slammed into them with the speed of my run, leaving them shaking, I continued to attack them, kicking and shaking until I had no more energy. Many people walked by, ignoring me and probably laughing in their heads.

"Is everyone gonna fucking ignore me then!" I screamed. Yet again no one noticed. I slumped down next to the gates and put my head in my hands. How was I supposed to survive out here for a whole night. I'd catch my death. Pulling my phone out my pocket, I felt an unusual breeze coming over me, like someone had walked on my grave. This was starting to get scary. I quickly dialled Zoe's number, but with my shakiness, my phone fell from my grasp and through the gaps in the wood. "FUCK SAKE!" I screamed. Even louder this time. I looked down as my phone got washed away with the waves. I was stuck. "SOMEONE HELP ME!" I screamed at the crowd of people walking past. Every single one ignored me. What was it with people being so ignorant.

"Is everything okay?" Said a small voice. I looked up and my eyes met with those of the coffee shop employee from earlier, Anäis.

"Im bloody locked in" I said frowning. She giggled and reached into her hair. I pulled a confused expression, what was she doing? She pulled out a hairpin, bent it straight and forced it into the lock. She wiggled it a few times and the lock opened, dropping to the wooden planks with the chains and opening the gate.

"Thank you so much!" I grinned. She smirked at me and nodded. "Where did you learn to do that it was brilliant" I added.

"It's a girl thing." She replied. We both chucked and I followed her from the entrance.

"Where you going then Joe?" She said.

"How did you know my name?" I stuttered.

"Yet again, a girl thing. Everyone round here knows you Joe, you're famous" she tutted. I frowned. I hated being known as famous. I wasn't famous just 'well-known'. "Going to answer my question then Joe?" She laughed.

"Er I'm going to see if I can find my phone, I dropped it off the pier." I said shyly. Almost embarrassed I could do something so stupid.

"Not being funny Joe but your phones gone!" She laughed. "The sea takes everything, it's not coming back." I sighed. I was about to say something before she interrupted. "You best come with me. I'll drive you home," she smiled. I was wary. I'd known this girl five minutes. She was obviously a viewer, but I needed a lift home? Risky. But I liked risk.

"Thanks Anais." I smiled, and with that she walked me to her car.