A Way Out

Nightmare

    Warning - Contains Violence

      I lay in a ditch. Completely naked. Covered in bruises and cuts. Bleeding to death. Helpless. I look up to see Darrel laughing. His fists covered in bruises, but he doesn't seem to care as he is just focused on me dying helplessly due to the pain he has caused me. I squeeze my eyes shut as Darrel begins to walk over to me as a smirk appears on his face as if he's proud of the pain he caused me. He slowly crouched down so he is closer to me. His eyes the darkest shade of black. His big hand reaches down to my cheek as he rubs it softly.

     I wake up in a rush, breathless. I panic as I realize that I'm not in my usual spot when I wake up. Then last night hits me. I remember everything.

     I get up and go to the bathroom connected to the room Elijah has let me sleep in. I take a quick shower and brush my teeth. Once done I decide to go downstairs and see if Elijah has woken.

     I close the door behind me and walk down the long beautifully curved stairs. I walk through the living room and into the large kitchen. I see Elijah at the fridge and another boy about the same age which I'm guessing is his brother, Jay, sitting at the table.

     I lean on the wall. "Goodmorning," I say shyly. Jay turns around fast at the sound of my voice. He looks at me confused.

     Elijah closes the fridge and turns. A smile spreads across his face. "Jay, this is Layla." He says walking over towards me and wrapping his arm around my shoulder. He's taller then me, about 6'4. I'm only 5'5 so he's almost a foot taller.

     Jay still looks at me confused "Hey Layla," then he looks over to Elijah even more confused.

     "Hey" I smile at jay while standing there in the comfort of his brothers arms. He still looks at me confused

     "Ready?" Elijah says looking down at me with a smile spread across his face and a sparkle in his perfectly green eyes.

     I look back at him clue less. "Ready for?"

     "Were going out for breakfast. Maybe a little shopping after. If your gonna be here for a while your going to need some new clothes."

     I look at him shocked. Is he really doing all this for me? He doesn't even know me. "I'm ready I guess." I smile back.

***

    
     "So, Layla, where are your parents? I mean, couldn't you just live with them instead of that guy? You would have been safer." Elijah asks leaning into the table.

     Great. He asked the question I've basically been avoiding for about ten years now. I never want to talk about it. Never. Not to anyone. But with Elijah, it seems different. I don't really know anything about him, but I just have this feeling that I can trust him. Even though I feel as if I can trust him, I still avoid the question. "I, um, don't want to talk about that. Sorry, just not now. Please." I look down not making eye contact with him.

     "Oh, sorry I didn't mean to." He looks at me with regret, then looks down at his food.

     "Its fine." Is all I manage to say. We both begin to eat in a comfortable silence.

     Once we both finish eating, Elijah  pays then we leave. When we find his car he opens the door, helps me in, then gets in himself.

      "Ready to go shopping?" He asks looking over to me. His face looked so calm, as if he truly cared about me. But he don't know me. We're strangers. He's just my hero, that's all I know about him.

     I look up at him as all these thoughts process in my head. "Yea, I guess." A fake smile spreads across my face to cover up my suspicions.

     He glows as if he's happy to be helpful. "I know the perfect place. Have you ever been to Bella's boutique?"

     "No, never heard of it." I say honestly.

     He raises a brow and starts the car. "Bella's boutique it is then." He smiles then looks at the road ahead of us and begins to drive.
    
     ***

     Elijah opens the store door for me as we approach. I let out a quiet thank you and begin to look around. I pick out a few pairs of jeans, some shirts, Bra's, and underwear. I walk over to Elijah who was sitting in the corner of the store looking bored to death.

     I walk over to him and let out a soft laugh. "Well you look very excited."

     He looks up at me with a hopeful look in his eyes. "Please tell me your ready to go? I mean, this is not my favorite place to spend a Saturday afternoon."

     Typical guy. "Yes," I smile and grab his hand attempting to help him stand up but my one small hand is useless to his big body. "I'm ready to go."

     A smile spreads across his face and he stands up quickly. "Okay then, let's go pay." He leads me over to the front desk and lay the clothes down.

     We both stand there patiently as the lady scans and bags everything.

     "Everyone on the floor, now!" A boy yells, holding a gun up and swinging it around to scare everyone.

     Elijah grabs my waist and pulls me down the the ground. He flashes  me worried look as I began the panic.

     "I said get done!" The boy yells. He shoots the gun to scare the people who hasn't yet go on the ground. He shot it, but didn't intentionally want to hit someone.

     "Elijah?" I say just above a whisper. Pain shooting through my body starting on my left side. I place my hand on my side. The feeling of warmth and stickiness on my hand. Elijah looks down at me, tears forming in his eyes as he pulls me in a hug.

     "Layla? Please Layla, your ok, your ok." He hugs me trying to comfort me.

     "Lijah?" The boy lowers his hand at the sight of Elijah. "What are you doing here? Wait, just go. Hurry. Go and take the girl. Go."

     The room slowly fades. I'm surrounded by darkness. Is this the end? I wanted a way out, but not like this.