Changing the Stars

Chapter 12: Drunks are the Worst

I spent the rest of the afternoon with my super sweet boyfriend. I am so lucky to have him. When I was younger, I planned my life out. When I would meet a guy, when I would get married, when I would have kids, etc. It's on track so far. Daniel was just too perfect. 

I walked back to my dorm alone since Daniel had too much homework, and I didn't want to inconvenience him. He protested, but I started to walk away when he went inside. He peeked his head out the door as I yelled, "Text you later!", and blew him a kiss. 

I unlocked the door, and Care wasn't there. I assumed she was a few doors down with a certain stranger. After I set my bag down, I went to text Daniel. 

Before I could type, the phone froze and showed an incoming call. There were different numbers than the one's such as Care gave me, so I deducted it must be my parents. I excitedly picked up.

"Hey, buttercup!" my dad's booming voice said. "How are you?"

"I'm pretty great. I don't think I told you yet, but I met a boy," I said slowly, worried he would freak.

"That's great! I'm glad you're popular over there!"

"Thanks? I thought you would be super over-bearing and try to find out everything about him and his family," I said confused.

"I normally would, but I just want to put you under as little stress as possible. How's Trent?"

"Who is Trent?"

"Your bodyguard. I'm glad he's stay invisible like he's supposed to. It's not like we're being stingy," he said sarcastically.

"Glad you haven't lost your sense of humor, Dad. Tell mom I miss her lots. I would, but I have an early class."

"I will. We love you, and make sure you contact us if anything ever feels wrong. And turn down that party music. No wonder I'm a party pooper. I hate that techno crap."

I laughed just as I realized someone was having a party. Maybe that's where Care was, but she would have invited me to come. Unless she didn't want to interrupt my "hot date" - her words, not mine. 

We sadly said our goodbyes, and I got ready for bed. I heard the door open. It was probably Care coming in after a night of fun. Something felt wrong though. She was usually super loud and talkative so that I would wake up and we could gossip.

I rolled over when I heard the door close to make sure she was okay. What I saw in the dim moonlight was not my petite roommate,  but a very large and creepy man dressed in black. 

I went to scream, but the door was shut, and the music seemed to get even louder. I kept yelling until the assailant clamped his hand onto my mouth.

He had the strangest smile on his face as he slapped me so hard, my vision went dark. I groggily tried to open my eyes as I felt him pick me up. He walked into the hall with me in his arms, but I couldn't see anything because my face was towards his chest. 

I tried to yell when I heard voices close by, but there was something on my mouth. Duck-tape. 

I wriggled and squirmed to try and get him to release his grip. The people in the hall must have saw because they walked over.

"Hey, is she okay?", a girl from my floor said.

"She's fine. Just a little too much to drink," the assailant said. 

I heard the girl and her friend walk away. I needed to get out of here now. He was cradling me like a baby, so I knew I had to find his weak spot. I waited until I felt the breeze. I was in my pajamas and I was freezing. 

I knew the only way out of this was to surprise him. I tried to lay as limp as I could in his arms and pretend to be asleep. I used to do this in high school when my parents would check on me after I came through my window after curfew.

The next thing he did was his worst mistake yet - other than kidnapping a very smart and angry girl. He laid me on the ground thinking I was asleep. I could here the car beep as he hit the button on the fob to open the trunk. This was my last chance.

As soon as he turned his back to shift some stuff around in the trunk I jumped up. By the time he saw me running, I was already too far. I was a great runner, and a man of his build would be slowed down by his weight. He yelled after me, and I turned around to make sure he wasn't following me.

He had a better plan than chasing me. He had a gun. I read somewhere that if you are being shot at, you should swerve in weird directions to make it harder for the shooter to time it good enough to hit you. I swerved and I was in awe at how the only people outside were drunk or just stupid.

I quickly ran to Liza's shop. I saw some lights on in the back and cried relieved tears. The man who attacked me was still coming towards me, but he was far enough away, giving me more time to think. I banged on the door, expecting Liza. 

The shooter was getting closer, and I was crying and I tried to bang my fists on the door even harder. 

Before I quit, Pat opened the door just a crack to see where the commotion was coming from. 

"Alex? What are you doing here? Why are you crying?" he questioned. It must have only taken a second, but he looked up and saw the man.

"Oh, shit! What the hell is going on?" Patrick asked as he saw the man raise the gun about 30 feet away. 

(A/N - Sorry to leave you on a cliffhanger! The book is finally coming to a good part. Hope you're enjoying! Vote and comment!)