Drops of Crimson

Chapter Nine

I stand in my tracks, unmoving.

Shit, I left my phone in my car...

At least I know where it is if I need to run and call someone.

I grab a pen out of my bag and silently curse myself for not carrying around pepper spray, or a knife, or something of use besides a pen. Holding it tightly in my hand I advance slowly towards the door.

Every fibre in my being is warning me, and my head keeps telling me to not go any further, but still, I continue. I walk up to the door and my heart beat quickens and my throat begins to dry as I breathe heavily through my mouth in panic. I get to the doorway and step inside instantly reaching for the inside light switch and I turn the light on.

Instantly a larger figure is illuminated by the light and I let out a small shriek.

"Celeste, don't run."

Dominic.

"Stay away from me Dominic." My hands tremble, still gripping onto the pen. Shoving my hand back in my bag I continue, "My phone is in my hand, I will call the cops." I lie through my teeth.

I know that the pen is useless, but with some force could do some damage. But I know that I am not physically strong in comparison to him; he will have no problems holding me down.

"Just let me explain," he says, eyes fixated on me, not even caring about what's in my bag.

Panic sets in, and Iris's warning sticks in my head; "you should stay away from that man."

He starts moving closer to me, and I start moving backwards through the door, watching him. He looks slightly past me at something and before I have time to turn around and look, my back hits a firm object. Arms reach around me from behind holding my hands down and I drop my purse. Before I have a chance to even react the man is dragging me back into my house. I kick my legs while screaming bloody murder trying to wriggle free from the grasp. I can only see the man in front of me and he appears to be in his late twenties or early thirties, dark brown hair disheveled, and eyes that look almost black.

I stop yelling, my throat already hurting, and I let a few tears slide down my cheek silently. Stay strong, Celeste, don't let them know how scared you are.

It doesn't take long until I am being flopped onto my couch, the three men standing in front of me, Dominic in the middle.

Forcing myself to stop crying, I get a good look at the man who was dragging me. He looks to be around the same age as the other one, with lighter brown hair that drapes wickedly past his ears, and his eye colour a deep brown. After memorizing his face, I stop looking at him and move on to Dominic. I glare up at him from my spot on the couch. I don't dare move, knowing all too well that it will be easy to catch me. Three against one? The odds are not in my favour.

He stands there, staring at me, as well as the two others. I wait a while longer for him to say something, but nothing comes out.

"Are you going to speak? Explain to me what the hell you are doing?" I say, my frustration evident.

Again, he says nothing, but side glances to the two men standing next to him as if waiting for the go-ahead to speak. I re-think trying to run away again and realize that they are all in front of me, and I could maybe try to jump over the back of the couch and make a run for it again.