Tempest [ON HOLD]

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I woke up to strange surroundings. A bright light burned through my eyelids. 

I heard voices above me. A television played somewhere behind me. 

"Is she ok?"  

Who were these people? I tried to open my eyes, but my left eye seemed swollen shut. Upon trying to lift myself, I realized I could not move because of the intensity of the pain. No one noticed my struggle. 

"Yeah, she's fine. A little scratched up, but she'll be fine." 

"I tried to stop, but my brakes didn't work." The voice sounded panicked. 

My head was pounding. The people above me were speaking so loudly. Too loudly. I groaned in frustration. 

"I should probably get her somewhere safe. I'll take her to my apartment." 

"You sure?" Panicked Man asked.

"She'll be safe with me." One of the voices, a male voice, had an accent. Sounded European. I felt myself being hoisted over a strong shoulder. 

On the outside I was completely unresponsive, but on the inside I was panicking. I hadn't been in New York City for two hours and I was already being kidnapped! Using all my strength, I began to flail.

"LET ME GO! PUT ME DOWN OR I SWEAR I WILL GOUGE YOUR EYES OUT!" I screamed into European Man's ear. European Man seemed surprised, but held me firmly over his shoulder. 

"I'm taking you to a safe place." He reassured me. Still unable to see clearly, I turned toward the direction of his voice and tried to bite him. 

"Ahh! AHHH! STOP THAT! I'm trying to HELP you!" he huffed.  

"Put me down!" I yelled. He placed me gently on my feet. I squinted out of my good eye and took in his features. 

He was tall and slender with warm green eyes. His hair was a dirty blonde, and he had freckles across his nose.  

"Just WHAT do you think you are doing?" I demanded, trying to look intimidating. 

European Man stared at me for a moment. Suddenly, he began laughing. 

"I don't see what's so funny." I said. He continued to laugh. After a few minutes, he calmed himself and spoke. 

"You are a sight to see. You're so tiny!" He began to guffaw. 

I'll admit, being 19 years old and standing at a height of 4' 8" didn't make me the scariest of people, but this man was becoming less kidnapper-esque and more obnoxious by the minute. 

I looked around the room. It seemed as though I was in some sort of hospital. Ick. Everything in the room gave the impression of being sterile. 

"I'm gonna go..." I mumbled, heading for the exit. I had almost reached the door when European Man cried, "Wait!" 

I turned expectantly.  

"I'm Tom." 

"Goodbye, Tom." I said and walked out the door down a long hallway. Nurses and doctors rushed past in every direction. I turned down another hallway. More doctors and nurses. I searched for an exit sign, but there were none in the hallway. Exasperated, I turned back the way I came only to find Tom following me. 

"You lost?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye. 

"No. Go away." I said, retracing my footsteps. 

"I know the way out." Tom grinned. I stopped walking. Sighing in defeat, I allowed him to lead the way. Upon finally reaching the hospital exit, I realized that I had not paid any bill for my short stay. I paused in the waiting area and made my way to the checkout desk.