I had awoken in a cold sweat, I gasped and sat up quickly. I had a flashback. My mother was slapping me and telling me to go. Just constant screaming with each hot violent hand swipe across my face. "Go! Leave! We don't want you! We don't love you" she screamed. I cried "Mommy please! I'm sorry!" I could almost feel the stinging hand prints on my raw skin. I rubbed my freezing, dry hand across my forehead. Then I stopped, and looked at my hands. I wiggled my fingers, swung my arms, I was out of the jacket..But how? Toby? I took a look around me and realized I wasn't in Black Water. I shout for Toby but all that appeared was a tall thin silhouette. "H-hello?" I stuttered. The silhouette got brighter, but all I could see was blue eyes. Bright blue eyes. They were almost hypnotizing. He stepped out of the shadows and handed me some delicious hot soup. I was starving and this soup was amazing compared to the slop they brought me every day. I sipped one last spoonful.
This was the first person I wasn't frightened by. I felt so safe for once in years. I stumbled towards him and threw myself onto him. I wrapped my arms around him. He was my hero. The only person that cared enough to save me from that place. I stepped away tripping on my somewhat; white hospital gown. He looked up at me. He had shaggy, dirty blonde hair. He was wearing a torn brown T-shirt and baggy jeans. His arms were muscular, his skin was smooth and tan. He grabbed me; putting his hands on each side of my upper arm. "Who are you?" he said in a deep voice "Mellony." I squeaked. "Were you a patient here?" He asked; worriedly. "Yes.." I looked down at the ground. "They left me here." Just then I could feel a single tear slide down my cheek. He ran his warm hand across my face, wiping it off. I looked up at him; my bright blue eyes glistening in the setting sun. "I'm here now. I'll take care of you; despite your sickness." He said as he smiled and took my hand. "What is your name?" I asked. "Payton" he stammered. He was just as hypnotized as I was.
He took me to his small home back in the woods. By the time we got there it was sky had gone from violet to navy blue. It was like a shack, broken roof, dirt floor. "Why do you live here?" I ask wishing I wouldn't have said it so bluntly. He answered with ease; "I'm hiding".I was confused by this. "Oh...why?" I asked nosily. "I escaped from prison 6 weeks ago." he said as if it meant nothing to him. My eyes widened "Why?" I exclaimed, still wishing I would have worded it differently. He said "Calm down I was only framed. For a murder of the president of this gang..." My heart sank. "A gang?" I said disappointed. "Yes, so not only am I hiding from police; but this gang too. They will kill us if we're found." He answered back almost annoyed. "How will you be able to take care of me then" I asked. "I just will Mellony!" now he was annoyed, and frustrated. "Come on." I could tell he felt bad for snapping at me. "You can sleep here" he pointed to a small cot in the corner. "T-thank you?" I stammered.
I wasn't sure if I should be thankful for these horrible conditions, but I reassured myself after looking at those eyes again. I don't know what, but there was a reason they drove me crazy. He kind of stomped off, but I didn't follow. I took a glance around the forest, then after a double take; I saw Toby standing and staring with his yellow eyes. He crept toward me; each hip crackling with every slow step. "What do you think your doing, Mellony?" he said in a rasped voice that sent shivers up my back. "I'm free now Toby. Leave." I ordered him. He glared deep into my eyes and blinked. My heart started to squeeze and I couldn't breathe. "Come home Mellony we miss you." he repeated over and over. His eyes turned completely black and his this grey skin got tighter around his ribs. Just then his eyes started trickling blood. "Stop! Toby stop!" He began whispering something; "Te esse credebat" I collapsed and everything went black.
