That's it.
Something finally clicked. The memories rushed to me like a flash flood; and I remembered everything; what I was doing when I was abducted, what happened before I woke up....
"Nicole?" I recognized the voice as Declan's, and I turned, forgetting the tears that were welled up in my eyes, to face him. "Are you okay?" He inquired, furrowing his forehead.
"Yea.. I'm fine." I choked out, and quickly spun back around and wiped my tears with my jacket sleeve.
I felt him sit down next to me. After a moment he said, "I know its a lot to take in." He paused "It's hard, but you'll get used to it."
"I highly doubt it." I muttered, looking away from him.
"Trust me, I know what it's like to lose everything you love." He responded. I looked up at him for a second, into his gentle blue eyes. There was pain and loss and guilt hidden behind his wall of contentment. We kept eye contact for a second until he looked down. Obviously trying to change the subject he asked, "What do you remember?"
*FLASHBACK*
"I'm going to the movies with Sara and Sommer." I called to my mom and dad before I walked out of the door.
"Hold on" My mom protested. I heard her footsteps coming from upstairs; they made their way down the steps. Finally, she appeared in front of me, jacket in her hand. "Here. It's cold." I rolled my eyes and took the coat from her hand. "You got your phone?" I nodded. "And money?" i nodded again.
"Am I free to go now?" I pleaded, throwing the jacket over my shoulders.
"Yea..." She said after a moment. "But text me when you get there. And when you are on your way home."
"I will." I hugged her and said bye, but before I closed the front door she said, "Please be careful. Don't do anything reckless."
"I'm never reckless." I remarked sarcastically.
"I'm serious, Nicole." She warned "You know very well why it's dangerous for you out there."
I nodded one last time and said "Love you, Mom." before finally closing the door.
I heard her lock it behind me as I made my way down the driveway, and onto the sidewalk. I decided to walk to the theatre; gas was expensive and it wasn't too far. Also, I could use a little quiet time for just myself. As I walked, I put my headphones in and turned on The Beatles. The evening chill made me glad my mom had brought me my jacket; I pulled it closer, and turned on to a back-road shortcut. Just a few more blocks.
I sang "Get Back" quietly to myself, stepping to the beat of the fast-paced music. When the song had ended, I was finally aware of my surroundings and the footsteps behind me. I glanced back; about 30 feet behind me there was a man. He wore a suit that was underneath a dark trench coat, his hair was covered by a hat that reminded me of Frank Sinatra, and his eyes were down at his formal shoes.
The next song played; "Eleanor Rigby," and I turned at the end of the back street to town centre, where the theatre was. After a few minutes I glanced behind me again; the man was still there, but this time he was closer, only about 15 feet away. I turned back around, picking up the pace. Almost there, I told myself.
