Save Me from Darkness

Not what I Thought

A bright light shown in my face as I opened my eyes. My jacket was off, and I had on different clothes. Looking down I have on a long sleeve shirt and soft, grey sweats.

Examining the room around me had me in awe. It was large and something I could never imagine having. The large red curtains, grey carpeted floor, and cream satin sheets gave it the pop factor.

Looking over around me, Atlas was nowhere to be seen. Attempting to sling my legs over the bed, a sharp pain emulates from my side. I roll back onto the bed gripping my side as tears form in the corner of my eyes. "Atlas, where are you buddy. I hope you are okay".

The pain felt as if someone took a hot stake and drove it into my side, but I knew it was from the bullet wound. So much happened yesterday. How could the life of me, Chelsie Marie Richardson, be changed from horrible to worst in just a matter of a day.

My mother could probably be dead. I have no remorse for her, but maybe I did kill her. The bullet could have punctured and artery or maybe even a vein. As for Amanda, she is probably scared.

All I had to do was go inside, pack my bags and run. I wasted time running to get the gun and money that I truly didn't need. Amanda's family had everything covered and I ruined it all. "Oh Atlas, where did we go wrong?". I roll my legs off the beg again hoping to be able to move again,

"Stop moving, your dog is fine." Looking over to the door, a tall man stood looking at me. His demeanor was strong. He was wearing a navy-blue suit, red tie, and a white dress shirt. Although he had on business attire, it didn't cover the tattoos that were on his chest and hands. He was neatly shaven with his beard and mustache trimmed down. Arms that were well toned, but nothing to the extreme. Surely his appearance is enough to make a girls panties drop. Stepping away from the door, he walked up to the bed and sat on the end of it.

"You mind telling me why and how you got on my door step last night. Stephano luckily opened the door in time." He gave me a saddened look as I looked down at my side.

"I ran from home after an incident happened. I made a stupid decision that I regret. I left people that truly cared for..." I stopped talking immediately. What was I doing? Telling a stranger, who took me in, information that he had no business knowing. He could be a serial killer for all I know. Wait, serial killers don't own their own plot of land that holds a three mansion, or do they?

"Do you mind telling me your name?" The nice man in front of me said. Looking up at him I give him a partial smile. "My name is Chelsie Richardson. If I may ask, what is yours? Figure we shouldn't be strangers to each other." I chuckle before clenching my side. Maybe laughing isn't the greatest thing for me right now. He extends his hand out to me as I take it. "Name's Antonio, Antonio Reznikov. "It's a pleasure to meet you Chelsie." Antonio's hands were soft yet strong. He truly was a gentleman.

As we released hands, I looked up at him with slight worry in my face. "Antonio, please tell me that Atlas is okay and well". He looked down as he intertwined his hands together. Fearing the worst, tears brimmed my eyes. "The doctor I called up here said Atlas had lost a lot of blood. The bullet pierced his abdomen and got lodged inside. He underwent a very long procedure and-". I looked down as tears flowed down my cheeks and balling up my fist I slammed it onto the bed. "God dammit Antonio! Can you just tell me if he lived or not!"

Antonio stood and walked toward the door. Opening it he left leaving the door open. This man allowed me into his home and saved my dog and I and yet here I was, being not only rude, but childish. I should be ashamed of myself. Putting my head into my hands I cry harder. I'm selfish to not only my friend, but to a gracious stranger.

As time went on, feeling like an eternity, a soft wet kiss was put on my forehead. Looking up from my hands, sitting in front of me with his soft precious face, was none other than Atlas. Without thinking about it I lunged at him hugging him and pulling him close. "Oh Atlas, your okay. I thought I lost you!".

"He certainly is a trooper that's for sure." Antonio, once again, stood in the doorway. Giving a smile as he looked down. "Take all the time that you need. Come downstairs when your ready." Looking up at Antonio I gave a slight nod and went back to petting Atlas.

Atlas and I laid together for hours before I finally decided I needed to get out of Antonio's bed. Taking it slow I slid off the bed and stood up. Atlas jumped off the bed and walked beside me. As we walked through the long hallway, which was covered in multiple art pieces, I couldn't help but wonder what Antonio did to become so fortunate. Maybe he was a banker or even a lawyer. Who knows he could be a celebrity! No, he couldn't if he was he wouldn't have let me in and I certainly wouldn't be in his home. I'd be in a hospital and Atlas, a shelter.

When we got to the bottom to the steps, in front of us were a set of doubled doors. Telling Atlas to stay, he laid at the bottom of the stairs. I walked up to the door to hear yelling. "Yes, I am highly aware that Blaine is looking for me! I certainly don't want to go looking for him". Who was this Blaine? I really wonder what he does for a living. I looked between the gap in the door as Antonio paced the room "Dammit Fernando I want answers and I want them now. My father didn't make me head of this Mafia for nothing!". I leaned up against the wall as I covered my mouth with my hand. Peering over at Atlas who gave me a worried look. Oh my god he's in the Mafia!