Daniel in the Basement

Chapter 20: the girl

Oh my god. OH MY GOD! All we've worked for. Gone. Just like that.

"Alex, Alex, breathe." Ruby says.

I'm hyperventilating. I'm getting light headed. I can't see. I can't think. Who is that and why is she doing this?!

"Alex, look at me. Focus on my eyes. Listen to my voice. Calm down."

I'm panicking. I can't do this.

"Alex, look at me!"

I look at her. I concentrate on her voice and her eyes.

"Breathe in 2, 3, 4. Out 2, 3, 4. In 2, 3, 4. Out 2, 3, 4."

I close my eyes and focus on my breathing. But the blonde girl keeps flashing in my mind. I start shaking and hyperventilating again.

Ruby takes my hands and holds them still. "Alex you need to calm down. Think about your mom and Shane."

Mom and Shane. I haven't seen them in so long. They probably think I'm dead or something. I need to visit them soon.

"Good, good. Breathe." Ruby nods and smiles.

When my panic attack subsides I look back at Dan and his blonde friend. "Who is she?"

"I don't know."

"Why is she doing this?"

"I don't know."

"Ruby, we're gonna get caught. We're going to prison." I cry.

"Alex, chill out. We don't even know what they're talking about." Ruby says.

I look out the window and watch them. "Right. But I have an idea."

***

Dan's POV

I take my coffee and sit at a table outside. Ugh I'm so nervous. I don't know who this person is, or what they want. But I just want them to go away. Forever. I check my phone for new messages. There's none.

I feel kinda bad about lying to Alex. But it's okay - checks phone - we all lie. Her - checks phone - more than others.

Suddenly a blonde girl sits across from me. "Hey, Daniel." she smiles.

Her teeth are perfectly straight and white. And her eyes? I can't see them behind her giant, pitch black sunglasses. "You're the one who calls and texts me nonstop? But I thought you were a guy."

"No, no, no. That's my boss."

"Oh, so he's too scared to face me like a man?"

She laughs. Get laugh is light and bubbly. "No, it's not that. He just doesn't think you're ready to see him yet."

I roll my eyes. "Oh, really?"

"I'm surprised you haven't recognized me yet." she says smirking. "Stand up and give me a hug, Daniel." she stands up and I do the same. Then she wraps her arms around my waist and I reluctantly pay her back.

She pulls away, "It's so good too see you again, Daniel."

I put my hands in my pockets and nod. Who is this person? That's when I notice her shirt. "Oh my God." I whisper. I look up at her. She smirks and crosses her arms over her chest.

"You perv."

"No, I was looking at your shirt."

She pouts and puts her arms hips. "You like my shirt more than me?"

"I uhhh..." I ignore the question. "It looks familiar."

She smiles. "You're right. It should."

"Very familiar, but I can't put my finger on it."