Destination X

"Polly Part 1"

*Trigger Warning, this chapter contains material that may sensitive to certain readers. Reader discretion is advised*

I'm often times scared to close my eyes. When my eyes are closed I'm more likely to reminisce in the past... but for the sake of this story, of my story, I have to. Slowly my eyes shut and the memories pour in.


"Babe where are we going?" I laugh and look at my boyfriend driving. He laughs. "I told you a million times it's a surprise." He shakes his head and continues driving. We've been driving for about an hour and a half. The areas get more and more rural as we drive further. Maybe he's taking me on a romantic getaway in the mountains? How sweet would that be? He's always doing nice things for me but this would be another level. Maybe it's an early anniversary gift? We've been dating for almost 1 year, but our anniversaries a month away. I look at him again. God, I love everything about him. His curly brown hair, his blue eyes, his amazing smile. He's my sunshine.

After about another 15 minutes of driving we pull up to a gas station. He tells me to go into the inconvenience store and get myself a snack because "we still have a long way to go". I bought myself a large cup of coffee and a bag of chips. I also got myself some chocolate, because fuck it, right? I payed, got back into the car and as soon as I did he got out. "I'll be back in just one sec, I have to get something from the shop". I find it weird that he didn't just come into the store with me, since he wasn't pumping gas, he was waiting in the car for me. When he came back he had a bag that he quickly threw into the back. "What'd you get?" I asked, curiously. He smiles at me. "You'll see" he says as he starts the car. His smile isn't like his usual smile. It was unsettling. The only way to describe it is the smile of a serial rapist after he finished up. That's not normal for anyone... but to see it on my boyfriend is something other worldly. Like Jekyll and Hyde, he became a completely different person.
For the rest of the car ride we were quiet. There was no more talking and laughing like usual. Just silence. In fact, as we drive further and further, I became more frightened. "Come on, you're just being paranoid. What's up with you?" I thought to myself. I'm doing anything and everything I can to rationalize. I've never ever felt uncomfortable around him until now. "Babe... where are we going? Seriously". This time he didn't laugh. He grits his teeth, looks at me and says "I told you, it's a surprise" as if I'm pissing him off. His eyes are filled with anger. I've never seen this side of him. Ever. I'm scared. Really really scared.

I can't do it anymore. I open my eyes. Relief spreads over me as I realize that it was just a memory. Just a memory, that's it. The guy next to me looks at me and frowns. "Hey, you ok? You don't look too good." I muster up a smile. "Bad dream, that's all".