Protectors

Chapter 1 - Taken

I strode briskly through the dense London streets. The crisp wind of early spring turning my cheeks a light shade of pink. Undeniably ordinary in my sharp black suit. Making my way to the bank on Monument Street. I quietly entered the bank, observing my surroundings. No one glanced my way, no one expected anything. They thought I was just a young girl, there to open up a bank account. I smiled politely at the teller. An older, short woman with light gray hair and wrinkles showing old age. Before she even opened her mouth, I had made eye contact. Her mouth hung open, giving her a bored expression.

I propped my chin on my fist and positioned my back so no one would be able to see what was going on. The moment her mind opened, I immediately ordered her to show me where the codes and combinations of the vaults were. Numbers filled my vision and it took me a moment to make sense of all the chaos. As I concentrated, I found two main combinations. 7.27.11. and 18.45.14.

I patiently asked the woman to show me where the safes were and turn off the alarms. She promptly pushed a small black button and lead me down a narrow hallway with marble floors. The air got colder as we got deeper into the bank and I was thankful that I decided to wear my jacket. The woman pointed me down a short staircase that lead to two vaults. Judging by the size, I knew they were not the largest ones in the bank. I nodded curtly in dismissal to the woman and she obediently walked away, unfazed by the incident. Glancing over my shoulder, I quickly entered the combinations into the vaults. Knowing I couldn't take too much money, for people would become suspicious, I grabbed about six hundred dollars from each vault. I didn't need much to get me through the month, as I was a very frugal person. Quietly slipping the money into my briefcase, I silently closed the vaults.

When I exited the building, the weather had gotten noticeably colder. Wasting no time, I whistled for a cab. The man driving was surprisingly younger. Probably in his late twenties. His dark, chocolate hair stopping just above his eyebrows, giving him a sharp look. Before I could tell him where to go, he had already taken us down a road going the opposite direction of my apartment.

"Excuse me. This isn't the right way." I said irritably.

He didn't even glance in the rear view mirror. Annoyance surged through me. I was not in the mood for games, nor did I have the patience.

I loudly cleared my throat.

"Ahem. Please turn around."

The young man just ignored me and drove on, leading us farther away from my desired destination.

"Stop the car." I demanded.

Adrenaline rushed through me as my eyes scanned the car looking for an easy way to escape. The doors were locked and I did not want to have to tuck and roll on a busy street in a large city. I noticed that the headrest on the man's seat was pushed back as far as it could go. There wasn't much padding on it and I decided that that was probably my best way of escape.

Acting fast, I grabbed the headrest and slammed it against the back of the man's skull. He let out a yell in surprise and finally acknowledged me through the rear view mirror. I saw a small trickle of blood run down the back of his neck, making me grin.

"I can do much more harm than that, buddy, I promise you." I warned dangerously.

Slowly, he pulled the car to the side of the road. We were in front of a small restaurant with hardly anyone on the sidewalks. The man wrapped his arm around his seat and turned to face me.

"You're going to have to come with me whether you like it or not." He said in an even tone.

I raised an eyebrow, shocked. I had absolutely no idea what was going on or what this man wanted with me.

Without thinking, I smashed my elbow into the window in an attempt to break free. Instead, pain shot up my arm making me cry out in pain. The young man just watched me calmly. Reluctantly, I sat back and glared at him, waiting for him to turn around and proceed driving. When he did, I had given up any hope of escaping the car. I would just have to wait until we stopped and got out. I slumped down in the seat and folded my arms angrily.

About twenty minutes had passes before the man slowed the car to a stop. Sitting up quickly, I tried to see where we were. I quickly found that he had somehow blacked all the windows out, making it impossible to see outside. I felt as though my heart would burst with anticipation. My sweating hands had stuck to the leather seats. I made a face in disgust.

The man had turned around to face me. Biting the inside of my cheeks, I tried hard not to remain calm. Scolding myself for being so frantic, I looked the man in the eye. He obviously knew of my... gift, as he immediately pushed sunglasses on over his eyes. I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering who he was.

Suddenly, he spoke.

"Follow me, please." He said politely.

I shook my head, causing him to raise and eyebrow at me and give me a stern look.

"Not until you tell me who you are." I retorted.

He heaved a sigh and rolled his eyes at my request.

"Fine. I'm Jeremy. Now, will you follow me, please?"

I tilted my head to the side in curiosity.

"Why should I follow you, Jeremy?" I asked nonchalantly.

Frustration overtook him and he threw his head back. I knew he was about to crack and that frightened me.

"OK! I'll follow you. But promise me, Jeremy, you won't hurt me?" I said sweetly.

He flashed a pearly white grin and opened his door.

"Get out." He demanded as he slammed the door.

I didn't need him to ask me twice. Immediately, I swung my door open and heard Jeremy yell. When I stuck my head out to ask him what the problem was, I saw that I had smashed his door into the brick wall we had just parked next to. I gasped.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to, I swear!" I ranted frantically.

Considering the fact that I was trying to stay on Jeremy's good side, I was doing a terrible job. His jaw clenched and I could tell that he was furious. I was grateful that he was at least attempting to hold it in. Trying not to anger him any further, I eased the door shut silently.

Without warning, Jeremy began walking towards the building. Quickly falling into step with him, I tried to look for an escape. We were in a small alley that most likely had a dead end. There was no chance of me outrunning him so I just sighed and followed quietly.

When he stopped, I found that he had lead me to the doorstep of a large house. Before he could even pull out a key, the door had swung open revealing a tall young man. He looked a few years younger than Jeremy, with golden blond hair that seemed to brighten up his face. His eyes were a deep shade of green that I could melt away in. But what puzzled me most was the fact that I had never seen this boy in my life, yet his eyes were so hauntingly familiar.