The Essence of Nature

1- Running Away

I'm walking down these snowy streets of some random neighborhood that I so happened to wander into at the dead of night. Wearing, only, my grey jacket and my favorite pair of ripped jeans. I decided to move forward in life and never go back to my old living habits. Yes, I ran away from the place I should have never called home. My parents had gotten angry at me for no apparent reason and I decided that was the last straw.

--

I had gotten home from school, and my dad yelled at me to clean my room. I went upstairs to do as he said. As I walked back down the stairs, someone pushed me from behind. I stumbled down each step, crying out in pain. I hit my head and back against the floor, and was suddenly yanked from the ground by my collar. I struggled to take a breath, gasping for air. I felt my dad with his bald head and dark, black beard slap me hard across my face as hot tears ran down my cheeks. He flung me against the wall and walked away leaving me with an aching spine and stinging cheeks. I had enough abuse from my own parents so I decided to run far away from my warm but dangerous house. I thought a home was supposed to be pleasant to come back to; I guess I was horribly mistaken.

--

That's how I ended up in this neighborhood where there weren't many lights, and cars rarely ever seemed to pass by. I needed to find a place to stay for the night before I freeze to death outside. I decided to take a chance knocking at some random house. I noticed a light coming from one of the houses that sat near the end of the street. The house looked slightly eerie,with the way a weeping willow tree towered over the pale grey house. I crept up the front steps, creaking under my feet, and knocked on the cracked door. I heard the lock click open followed by the door swinging open, almost hitting me in the face. Luckily, I swiftly dodged the door.

A young man with messy, pitch black hair and glowing green eyes opened the door. He leaned on the door frame wearing only his underwear. "Uh, yeah?" he asked.

"Sorry to bother you, sir. I wanted to know if I can stay here for the night, because I have nowhere to go. I would truly appreciate it, sir." I tried to explain as politely as I could.

There was a brief pause and he nodded nonchalantly, whipping back inside his house with me following suit. As I entered I was overwhelmed by the amount of red that occupied his living room. Red curtains, a red couch, a red rug, and even a little old timely radio that sat on a red oak side table. He motioned to the couch that sat in front of his TV. As I sat, he sat next to me and started to watch TV.

I felt awkward just sitting there in a stranger's home. It was like it was normal to him that someone would ask to stay over his house. Are there a lot of homeless people around here or something? In an attempt to hide myself I lowered my head, placing my hands on my lap. "So... Why is a young woman like you knocking on a stranger's door?" he asked, still facing the television.

"Well, sir, I ran away from home and... I really don't think I count as a woman," I said in a way that says 'Of course I'm not a women, yet'.

He turned to face me, looked me up and down, all the while, his piercing green eyes gave me a chill. "How old are you?" he asked.

"I'm turning 16 in February, sir" I don't know why I told him my actual age. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. He can be a stalker for all I know.

He grunted out in frustration, leaning slightly a bit closer. His hand was near my thigh, which caused more chills to run through my spine. "Stop calling me 'sir'" he shook his head with a small chuckle, "My name's Jerry."

"Nice to meet you, Jeriard, my name's Roselina," I introduced myself, offering my hand.

He shook it, but pulled me closer. My face was now inches away from his face, his minty breath hitting me like a christmas festival, as I tried to avoid his eye contact. "How did you know my full first name's Jeriard?" he asked with a low, menacing voice.

His tone made me freeze. I literally stopped breathing for a minute. He said his name, didn't he? I never get names just from looking at their faces. I was horrible with names... "I, uh, y-you told me that your name is Jeriard, r-right?" I said with a stutter that I usually never have.

"No! I don't tell anyone my real name!" he snapped, shaking his head harshly. He let go of my hand. I rubbed my wrist whilst gazing at him through my hair that had fallen over my eyes.

He was mumbling to himself, angrily. Something about his father then something about his mother then something about his so called friends. I interrupted his little escapade, "I love your name, Jeriard."

His eyes locked with mine and I noticed his green eyes lighten. He quickly stood up, wiped his hands on his underwear, and walked into the dark hall that sat near the television. I reluctantly followed. Through the darkness, I saw a pair of green eyes glowing and I began to get lost in them. They were mesmerizing how they felt so strong but trusting. Suddenly, something snaked around my waist and I was pinned against the wall. The strong scent of mint wafted into my nose, briefly knocking me out. I was brought back into reality as the lights flickered on.

I found myself between Jeriard and the wall. He gave me a smirk and pushed himself off of me and the wall and walked away. I followed him into a white room with blood red accented furniture, similar to the living room. He pointed inside the room so I obediently entered. I watched him lean against the door frame and cross his arms across his muscular chest. "You must really love the color red," I mentioned with a nervous chuckle. I was trying to ease my mind that was in havoc from his scary, dark hallway scene.

"And what if I do?" he shot back.

I scratched at the back of my neck, "I think it's nice! It compliments your eyes."

He nodded a thanks. "Did you bring pajamas?" he asked. Oh! No! I forgot to get pajamas and change of clothes! I just wanted to get out as soon as possible. I shook my head to answer his question and lowered it, ashamed. He laughed, wholeheartedly. "I guess you're sleeping in those dainty clothes..." he started to turn away, but called over his shoulder, "or you can sleep in your bra and panties," he said smoothly followed by a chuckle.

I knew he was smirking for I faintly saw his cheek push up. He closed the door. I took off my jacket, and jeans. You might think it's weird, but I wasn't wearing a shirt underneath. I climbed into the blood red covers of the bed and instantly fell into a deep slumber.