Hollow Hatred

Chapter Seven

           I kept denying what my mind was telling me. He's the one, I thought said, he proposed to me. I would mentally shake my head. They're many people who use the word "love" as a nickname, and he's probably on some good medication. Yeah, I thought, that's it.

           "Ari?" Owen said. I snapped back to reality. "Are you alright, love?"

           I furrowed my eyebrows and wet my lips, trying to think of something to say. "Uh," I started, "yeah, yeah." I looked down at him and bit my lip. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

           "You go to school with my nephew Andre." Owen said.

           Despite his black eye and split lip, his smile lit up his face. Owens facial features were sharp and perfect. His smile was bright, his skin was smooth, and his eyes were light. He had short brown hair, and light blue eyes. But like my father, you could feel an aura from him. An aura that made the warning bells in your head to go off. As if I didn't have enough bells ringing in my head now.

          "Oh, yeah." I said. "Andre, he's in some of my classes. He's in my-"

           "Algebra, Physics, and Biology class." Owen spoke with a proud hint in his voice.

          I stared at him warily. "Yeah, he-e is." I said.

           Maybe Andre told his uncle about me. I did show him around on his first day. In the back of my mind, I knew that was bullcrap. But it would explain how mystery man knew I got detention. Stupid Andre. He's such a blabber mouth!

           I subconsciously took a look around. There wasn't anyone else in the room. No one to protect me. Lets look at the situation I'm in. I'm in a hospital room alone with a man who's possibly stalking me. Calm down Ari, I thought to myself, it's okay. Everything is under control. I'll just thank him, and I'll walk out of the hospital and hopefully never see him again. Good plan.

          "Well," I told him, "thank-you for, you know, saving me, Mr. Booker."

           "Owen."

           I slowly nodded. "Owen." Something reached his eyes when I said his name. "Right, I'll remember." I said with a nervous chuckle.

           Get out now, I thought to myself, go!

           "I have to go." I said.

          I let go of the bars on the bed and began to walk towards the door. Suddenly, he reached out and snatched my wrist. His cold fingers around around my hand, and I internally shivered. His hand was as cold as snow.

            Owen looked around. "I don't see anybody telling you that." He said.

           "I know," I lightly pulled on my wrist, "but I'm sure my dad is looking for me." Or making out with a girl fifteen years younger than he his.

           "Why haven't you been answering me clearly, Ariana?" He suddenly asked.

           I gave him a confused look. "What?" I wanted to know.

           "Is there something I should know about?" He raised his voice. "Or someone?"

            "No." I told him. I tried to pull on my wrist out of his grasp, but it tightened. "Mr. Booker-"

           "Owen!" He yelled at me. "Do not make me repeat myself!"

           "Owen, you're hurting me!"