One Week

Chapter One

Chapter One:

I could see them, those two bright lights.  They would be the last things I would ever see.  I took a step closer.  Then I took another.  Step.  Step.  Step.  The lights were getting closer.  I was almost there.  I was almost back with Amanda.  I was almost done with all of this bullshit.  I was almost free.  Step.

            The lights were hypnotizing.  They were almost upon me now.  HONK.  Tears started to pool in my eyes.  My vision blurred and now all I saw was the white light.  HONK.  The lights were so close now. I closed my eyes and took one last step.  HONK. 

            Suddenly, I was thrown to the ground, something heavy lying on top of me. I didn’t dare open my eyes.  What if my plan had failed?  What if I was still stuck in the hellhole?  What if I was never going to get out of the bullshit?

            I could hear something speaking, but I was too anxious to focus on it.  I kept my eyes shut tight.  I was still being crushed, and it was getting hard to breathe.  I smiled.  If my first plan didn’t work, then maybe this would suffocate me.  Maybe I could still be with Amanda.

            Finally, the weight was being lifted off slightly.  I could still feel whatever it was that was on me, but my lungs were no longer crushed.  I didn’t want to open my eyes, I was scared.  The screaming was still going on, but it was easier to focus on.  It was a male voice, but I didn’t comprehend what he was saying.  I tried to take deep breaths; maybe it would calm me down.

            I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was deep brown eyes.  They were awake with panic and alarm.  The next thing I saw was darkness.  The lights were gone.  I was alive and there were no lights.  There was nothing to take me to Amanda.

            “No, no, no, no, no!  Amanda!  No!” I screamed.  I started sobbing.  I had to get to Amanda.  She needed me, and I was here.  “Amanda!” I sobbed. I hit my head against the pavement.  Anything, I would do anything to get to Amanda.  “Amanda!”

            Brown eyes caught my head.  I struggled to get out of his grasp and to Amanda, but he was too strong.  “I need to get to Amanda!”  I twisted and turned, but I was no match for his guy.  He was twice my size.  He got off of my completely and sat down next to me.  He pulled me onto his lap, and no matter how much I struggled, I could not break his hold.

            “It’s okay.  Shhhh.  You’ll be okay.  Everything will be just fine,” he soothed, stroking my hair.  I started to pound on his chest.  He ruined it!  He is the reason I am not with Amanda right now.  It’s his fault!  “Calm down.  You’re okay.  You’re alive.  Everything is good,” he tried again.  That was what made me stop struggling.  Nothing is good!  Everything is bad!  Amanda is gone and I’m still alive.  I am by myself!  Everything is not good!

            “It’s your entire fault.  I hate you!  Just let me die.  I just want to die,” I choked out.  “Please just let me die.  Please.  Let me die.”  Brown eyes tensed up at this.

            He created some space between us, however it was not much.  A mere inch or two was all that was between our faces.  “You listen to me,” he started; his voice was firm and held authority.  His eyes held mine captive, but instead of the panic I saw minutes earlier, I saw anger and frustration.  “I am not going to sit here and let you die.  I am not going to let you kill yourself.  I am not going to let you be so selfish and so inconsiderate.  I will not walk around with that weight on my shoulders.  You will not die today, so long as I have any say in it.”