Deadly

one - edited

The cool autumn air filled my senses as I began my walk back to my apartment. Looking around, I noticed the dark storm clouds looming above Seattle, Washington. The trees had almost completely lost their leaves, signaling the approaching winter. I checked my phone for the time before putting it in my pocket and zipping my jacket pocket shut. It was a Friday, and I was going back to my apartment at seven thirty four. Great. I pulled my dark gray beanie further down on my head and tightened my black jacket around myself. I figured my roommate would be out all night, probably at her boyfriend's house. I couldn't complain; She was rarely ever home, but still payed her portion of the rent. Knowing no one would be at home waiting for me, I decided to take a walk through the park near our apartment.

I walked along the sidewalk parallel to the park, lined with small boutiques, coffee shops, and the little bakery I worked at. Looking around, I noticed I was the only person on the street. Maybe the storm was going to be bigger than I thought.

I considered calling someone to pick me up, and as I debated, and arm snaked around my waist; A hand covered my mouth before I could scream.

I tried anyway, though it was almost no use. I tried to kick my attacker, but couldn't get in many hits with the way they had grabbed me.

"Stop! Stop! I'm not going to hurt you!" a deep, raspy voice came from the person grabbing me. I bit down on his hand, hoping he'd let me go. "Ow!" he jumped, not expecting my action, and I used him pulling the hand around my mouth away to try to jump away from him.

"Help!" I screamed, trying to wrestle out of his grasp. "Help, fire!"

He loosened his grip on me, turning me around to face him.

I recognized the face of the man who had grabbed me, but wasn't too focused on placing a name. I tried to distance myself from him, making running away easier, but he tightened his grip on my wrists, pulling me closer to him.

"Listen to me," he said before I could do anything else. "I'm not going to hurt you!"

"Why would I believe you?" I spat, still trying to wiggle out of his grasp.

"I don't know," he sighed, "I don't know but you have to."

"Let me go." I demanded, pulling away from him again.

He listened to me this time, but stepped closer to me. "Follow me," he whispered. "It's for your own good."

His words sent chills down my spine and I allowed him to drag me into the bakery, prepared to defend myself should he try anything.

"What the hell?" I asked, nervous as I watched him lock the door.

"You're a feisty little thing, aren't you?" he laughed.

Anger coursed through me. "Get out of my way."

"No! No, I'm sorry. You can't leave, though."

"And why the hell not?"

"Because... Because you just can't, okay?"

"You just assaulted me and trapped me in a bakery. Either give me some answers or get out of my way."

He sighed. "You were in danger, okay?"

"Of what? You?"

He smirked, and I fought back the urge to smile at how attractive he was. I refused to crack the pissed facade I had.

Although it wasn't a facade. I was pissed.

"Look," he said after a few moments of silence, "I can't really get into full details right now, just know, you're much safer in here with me than out there alone."

I laughed. "Yeah, right."

"You are!" he defended himself, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Sure. Who the hell even are you?"

His smile fell for a moment before he smirked. "You don't recognize me?"

"You're familiar." I sighed. "I'll admit that."

He laughed. "'Name's Dean."

"Oh! Right, you work here."

He laughed, placing a hand over his heart to fake pain. "Can't believe you'd forget about me, sweetheart."

I rolled my eyes at my co-worker, fighting back a smile. "I'm sorry, after unnecessary attacks, I tend to be slightly forgetful."

"It wasn't unnecessary," Dean groaned. "It was-"

A knock on the door sounded, and the knob wiggled. I watched Dean's eyes go wide before he composed himself, side stepping to the large window and peering out.

"Probably just a bum," I shrugged. He turned around to face me, placing a finger to his lips to tell me to be quiet. "Dean," I tried again, only to have him shush me again. His crazy antics had me slightly scared, and my instincts told me to leave before he got worse. "Okay, well. This has been real fun, but I think I should go."

"You can't!" Dean jumped in front of the door.

"And why not?"

"Just believe me, okay?"

I sighed. "You're crazy."

"I'm not. Look, I-" he looked around, running his hands through his hair. Finally, he groaned, moving to the one of the tables near the window. "Sit down."

I hesitantly moved to sit across from him, slowly sliding into the booth.

"Okay, well.. You have to hear me out, okay?"

"Okay." I nodded slowly.

"You're going to think I'm crazy, but... I'm not. There's a, um..." he trailed off.

"Ghost?" I laughed, expecting a chuckle.

"Yeah. Yeah, there's a ghost out there An evil spirit."

I stared at him, waiting for him to laugh, or for the punch line of the joke. It didn't happen.

"And?"

"And? You want more than that?"

"I'd like the truth?" I tried to scoff, but it came out as a question.

Dean looked at me like I had lost my mind. "That is the truth!"

I stood up quickly, offended. "Alright, Dean. See you Monday."

"Don't open the door!" he shouted, jumping up as I unlocked the door. As soon as it was unlocked, it was pushed open, a pale, teenage girl running into the bakery.

"Help me! Help me, you've got to help me!"

"What's wrong, what's wrong?" I asked, as soothingly as possible.

"He's after me, he's after me, he's-"

"Who?"

"Him!" she pointed at Dean, who had made his way to my side.

The girl looked at me again, her eyes wide and full of dread. "Help me!"

Before I could do anything, a gun shot sounded, and the girl vanished into small wisps of air.

I looked at the man in the doorway, who had fired the shot. He didn't address me, just looked over me at Dean. "Get her out of here, I'll take care of this."

Dean put his hand on the small of my back and led me out of the bakery, back into the streets, where rain was heavily falling.

"What was that?" I asked, pushing him away from me.

"An evil spirit-"

"She was a kid!"

"Still evil."

I took a deep breath, trying to wrap my head around what I had just witnessed.

"I understand if you don't believe me-"

"I do," I cut him off, standing up straight. The look of surprise on his face told me he didn't expect me to.

"In that case, let's get you a drink."