Forgotten Bodyguard

Prologue - Like A Nightmare

It felt like a nightmare.

I heard the sound of raindrops falling and getting louder every second. Everything was black, my eyes were closed but I suddenly was aware of the wet, hard ground beneath me. I heard the trees rustling violently as gusts of wind whooshed through them.

I slowly opened my eyes and waited for my vision to come back as at first everything seemed to look like a blur. I slowly rose to my knees and held my palms on the wet asphalt. Every part of my body ached as if I haven't moved for a long time.

As my vision finally came back, I looked in front of me and all I could see was an eerie road with forests of trees on both sides. The only light present was the moonlight, and nothing could be heard apart from the strong wind whistle. I looked around and behind me to see if there was any car approaching, but it looked like that long road was never starting and ending, and as if only I existed with the scenery.

I shivered, either from fear or because I was soaked and freezing. I got up and rubbed my arms to try and create some warmth, but I couldn't do much without shelter. I had to keep walking. I was hoping to find someone - anyone - to help me.

It felt like I'd been walking for hours, but I still wasn't getting anywhere. The more time passed, the more I realised I had no idea where I was and who I was, or how I ended up in this situation. So many thoughts have crossed my mind and I thought about how surreal it was for me to have woken up in the middle of nowhere, with no recollection of absolutely anything. Tears were streaming down my face and I didn't know when I started crying, because my whole face was wet from the rain.

Why couldn't I remember my own name?

I didn't even know what I looked like.

How did I end up here?

Was somebody out there looking for me?

All these questions started popping up in my head, but I didn't have much more time to think. I heard the loud engine of a car approaching from behind me. I made a mistake to turn around and expose my face, and the car screeched to a halt, now in front of me. All I could see was the blinding lights of the car, but I couldn't see the driver. I was hoping for somebody to find me, but I didn't know what to expect from this sudden stop.

I didn't move from my spot, and it took a few moments before the man in the car opened his car door. His movements were careful, and as he got out of the car he kept his gaze on me, and he slammed the door of his car.

I stared and shivered from the cold. Who was this?

I could now see his tall, well-built figure standing next to the car, but for a moment longer he still hasn't said anything, though it felt like the more seconds passed, the more his breathing quickened. I could see his chest moving up and down, and his knuckles closing.

"Allie?! What the fuck are you doing here" The man spoke in disbelief, almost in a broken voice, but assertive. As if he demanded answers, right then and there.

I couldn't quite make out his face, but I could see his Adam's apple moving up and down as he gulped.

I panicked, realising he knew me. When I averted my eyes from him, so that I wouldn't keep eye contact, I noticed a shiny object in his left hand. Its surface was reflected by the moonlight.

It was a gun.

My breathing quickened, and my eyes widened.

He noticed I was scared, and quickly reloaded his gun and looked around. I felt like prey, too weak to run away from its hunter.

And as stupid and helpless as I was, I made a run for it with all the strength I had left in me. I could as well get shot in my back anytime, but I had no other choice than to try and escape my death. I ran into the woods.

I was too scared to try and understand what he shouted at me, while chasing after me. I could hear him getting closer as I ran deeper into the woods, only hearing his shouting and the snapping of branches on the ground as he was desperately trying to reach me.

I knew I wouldn't be fast enough against a man. Especially not with the little energy I had left in me. It wasn't long before my legs gave up, and I'd lost my balance and fell straight down on my face, grazing my legs, arms and chin.

I cried from frustration, and the man caught up with me. Was this the end of me? This is how I die, not even remembering my life? I was still laying on the ground on my stomach, and I laid my head in my arms blocking any sight from me. Through my fear I didn't realise the man kept speaking to me until then.

"Jesus Christ Allie, why would you run from me?!" He shouted and as he got closer to me, he noticed cuts on my legs, and my bleeding arms. I was only wearing shorts and a t-shirt, definitely unsuitable for this weather. It wasn't summer anymore.

He kneeled next to me and panted, still adjusting his breathing after running for me. I refused to look at him.

"Please just kill me quickly. Just get this over with." I cried and whispered helplessly. A few seconds passed until he replied. I felt him looking at me.

He laid next to me and propped himself up on his left elbow and used his right hand to turn my chin towards him.

"Allison, look at me." He whispered gently. Even though I had my head turned towards him, I couldn't see through the stream of tears.

"It's me. It's James. You're safe now." He looked at me expectantly as he helped me get up. I calmed down a little, realising he wasn't going to kill me. We stood up, and he was much taller than me. He was a very attractive man with a chiseled jaw, dark hair, broad shoulders and grey-green eyes, and was really well-built. Like a soldier. He had on a black tank top, a leather jacket and black slim jeans. I could see tattoos on his neck and hands. He probably had more. He waited for my response patiently while looking down at me, although after a few moments he furrowed his brows.

"I-" I tried to get words out of my mouth, but I had no idea who this guy was and I didn't know how to tell him. I looked at him picking up his gun which he'd put on the ground earlier when he caught up with me. He put it back into the pocket of his leather jacket. I still haven't said anything else.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Allison, tell me your full name. Now." He demanded and put his hands on his waist, looking more and more frustrated.

"I-I don't know it." I said embarrassed, and flinched when he shouted back.

"Who am I?!" He started pacing around and running a hand through his hair. It seems he did that often when he was angry.

"I don't remember anything." I said, and looked at him while he was trying to control his anger. He pinched his eyes closed, sighed and stopped pacing. He looked back at me with emotion I couldn't quite decipher, and I was sure his eyes wavered for a moment.

He took off his leather jacket where he hid his gun, and put the jacket on my arms. I could feel his hot breath on my neck as he did that. He was so close that our lips would touch if I moved.

"I thought I'd never see you again..." He said, whispering and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

I didn't expect him to then pick me up and hold me in his arms on the way back to the car.

"I hope that's alright with you, but no way in hell would I allow you to walk by yourself when you're hurt and freezing cold." He muttered, and I blushed. As he held me in his arms I felt safe. My mind started wondering what my relationship was with this man. I guess it wouldn't be so bad if he turned out to be my husband, but I wanted to slap myself for thinking that about a stranger. I hoped to find out who he was soon. After all that's happened, I fell asleep in his arms - unable to keep my eyes open any longer.

He was warm.

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Hi! I am currently rewriting this story. I first started writing this book a couple of years ago, and I wasn't happy with the lack of effort and quality of my writing and unfortunately stopped, even though it reached 3k reads and I'm so grateful guys

I've always wanted to finish this book, because it's always on my mind! And this time it will be even better. Let me know what you think of this prologue :)