Lifeline (Jacoby Shaddix Short Story)

SOS!!!

I don’t know how far I’d run, but it must have been a long way. I was exhausted. But I still didn’t feel safe. I needed to call for help. Most people would think of calling the police, but not me. All I could think of was calling my savior. Darting into an alley, I hid behind a dumpster and turned my phone on. The screen was cracked from falling out of my purse, but it still worked thank goodness. Using the light from the screen, I read the number Jacoby had on the card and dialed the number.

I listened to the phone ring, praying that he would answer me. I could hear my ragged breathing rasping through the phone, and after five rings I was about to give up hope that Jacoby would ever pick up the phone. Just as I was about to hang up, a sleepy voice answered on the other end of the line. “He… Hello?” Jacoby yawned.

A relieved sob escaped my throat as I tried to speak to him. “Ja.. Jacoby?” My voice was just above a whisper.

All was quiet on the other end of the phone, and I thought that maybe he’d hung up on me. Finally, he answered me. “Who is this? Wait… Venice?”

I couldn’t help but break down crying when I heard him recognize me. I knew that it wasn’t the best thing to do, because it would most likely worry him, but I couldn’t help it. Hearing his voice alone helped to make me feel safe. I quickly calmed myself enough to speak to him. “Jacoby, I need help. Ben came back, and… please, just come and get me?!”

Instantly he was concerned. “Of course, Venice! Where are you? Are you still at the club? Are you hurt?!”

I peered around the corner of the dumpster, out of the alleyway, out into the street. I was hoping that Ben hadn’t followed me. When I figured the cost was as clear as it could be, I answered him. “I don’t know, Jacoby. And I’m not at the club anymore. He attacked me in the parking lot… I ran until I couldn’t anymore. I’m in an alley somewhere…”

“Venice, you have to find out. Go out and find the nearest intersection. Tell me the street names, then go back into the alley. I will come and find you.”

Cautiously, I stood up and crept to the alley entrance. Slowly, I poked my head out and checked to see if anyone was out there. Seeing no one, I slowly walked out onto the sidewalk. Seeing two intersections relatively close to each other, I chose the one on the left, farthest away from where I’d come. The streets were 4th Avenue and Elm Street. How fitting, considering the last hour had been nothing but a nightmare. Quickly, I ran back into the alley and took shelter by the dumpster again. “The streets are 4th Ave and Elm. Please hurry, Jacoby… I don’t know where he is or if he’s still looking for me!” I was close to tears again.

“Alright, Venice, I’m on my way. I’ll be there as soon as I can, alright? Stay where you are, don’t move, ok? Don’t make any noise. I’ll get you somewhere safe. I promise.”

“Ok, Jacoby. Thank you…”

“No problem, sweetheart. Sit tight.” He hung up.

Putting my phone into my pocket, I huddled into a ball next to the dumpster, listening to any signs that someone was coming or going. Saying a small prayer, I shut my eyes and hoped Jacoby would be here sooner rather than later…