Perfect Strangers

Chapter 7

9:34 am...

I get ready for my morning run as usual. The campus trails are so short and boring so I like to run down the dirt road a few blocks from our campus and apartment complex. Sure, the dirt road was secluded but that made for a peaceful run.

I am wearing a sports bra, shorts and I threw on one of Bradleys sweatshirts because it was a little cold out. As I tie the laces on my shoes Bradley comes up behind me.

"Where are you going?" He asks, an annoyed tone in his voice

"My run" I grab an apple and start to walk out of the door as Bradley grabs my arm.

"You can't go" he says pulling me back into the apartment

"And why not?" I am now irritated and leaning against the door frame.

"Hayley really? Did you not forget about the dange-"

I smirk "I'll be fine, okay?" He let's go of my arm "I'll be back in no time"

"I am giving you 35 minutes tops, anything after then I will come get you"

"Thank you" I hug him and ran out the door

I walk down the to the lobby and say hi to Natalie, the receptionist.

She smiles "morning twinkle toes" I chuckled and say goodbye to her and she waves.

Running down the path for about 20 minutes I then stop to take a drink of my water.

Getting ready to speed up my run again I stop in my tracks, I notice through the trees a dark blue car that's been stalking the path I was taking.

I shake the though out of my head, Brads just got me halusinating. I continue my run for another five minutes and can feel eyes watching me. I stop and shake my head. Looking behind me I see the blue car getting very close. I speed off once again and next time when I look behind me the car is gone. I sign and just as I turn around a hand covers my mouth and I start to panic.

I get shoved to the ground and grunt looking up at the man. His voice sounded framiliar but it was a lot deeper than the previous one I've been hearing. I look up to the man and my heart drops. The man had dark green emerald, turquoise eyes but like Brads... his hair had more of a grey though to it and right away I know who it is.

"Ahhh I'm sure we haven't met properly" he says with a grin... the same toothy grin Bradley had but Brads teeth were whiter and the man smelled like alcohol.

I gulp "I'm Hayle-"

He laughs a deep laugh "Hayley Hayley Haley don't get my wrong here but you do know that I know who you are?"

"Hello Mr...Mr Mathis"

He keeps me on the ground "now I'm sure you know what I want?"

"No sir...."

He pulls out a knife and tears stream down my face.

"Listen dear since I am aware who you are and your close to my son, your going to pay for his mistakes since something he loves is more dear to him"

"Please...D-Don't kill me!"

He laughs again this time it booms through the trees "I would kill you" he takes the knife and draws on my wrists. Tears stream down my face faster and he gets up "I am just warning you"

He gets up leaving me on the ground. His car speeds away and I clutch my arm. It stung real bad and I managed to splash some of my left over water on the cut. I took off Bradleys sweatshirt and tied it around my wrist.

"HAYLEY" my name was called, I shuddered at the voice. It sounded just like his fathers.

Bradleys arm engulfed me in a hug making me sob more. He brushed tears off my face and helped me up.

"I- Hayley I don't even know what to say.." he then muttered something under breath "don't leave my side okay?"

I nodded my head because there was no way I wanted to be anywhere else right now.
*********************

Back at the apartment I lay on my bed, I throw on shorts and am wearing another one of Bradleys sweatshirts. I wrapped my wrist and it didn't bother me much at the moment. I lay in my room and A then there is a knock at the door. I look up to see Brad, I find a smile on my face when I see he brought me popcorn and movies.

"Thank you" I whisper

He looks at me, his eyes get sad "you don't need to say thank you... I need to say sorry, I can't believe I let that happen"

I smile and take the popcorn from
Him "I'm okay aren't I?" He chuckles but keeps his head down so I comment again "I am glad you came in the 35 minutes"

We watch some movies and the room goes silent except from the movies playing. I get bored because I honestly hate beauty and the beast. I take a handful of popcorn and one by one start to throw them at Bradley

He groans "don't be annoying"

I chuckle and Throw more at him, he grins and throws a pillow over his head. "I'll just fall asleep on you"

I smile "okay sleeping beauty you do that"

He laughs at my remark "okay goodnight"

He starts to snore and I realize I let him fall asleep in my bed. I groan and scoot farthest away from him. Getting comfortable I fall asleep, no fun for me in the morning. There would be no way I am putting up like that for a while.
***********
Authors note: hmmmm just meet Bradleys dad. I am sorry for the filler chapter. Even though it it 1,000 words it seemed like a filler chapter more than anything else.
I want to thank AndreaA1029 for all the votes!!!! :)
~vote~

~don't be a silent reader, tell me what you think~

~Hailee