-Unhealthy Obsession-

.23. So Close Yet So Far

My heart rate skyrockets and I jumped to Shelia, grabbing her arm. My frantic eyes scan the area but don't see a furious Andrew storming after me.

God, Mia, he has really gotten to you. You're hearing things girl...

I take a breath and let go of the poor woman. "I-I'm sorry." my voice shakes as I hold my head. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"

"It's...alright." she coaxes slowly. "Do you...want some water? Or something? Have you eaten?"

"Not in two days." I blink confusingly. "Or three...I-I-I really don't know."

"Okay hold on, I'll be right ba-"

"Please don't leave me alone!" I blurt, grabbing her shirt. Her blue eyes are sad as she thinks for a moment, then gingerly taking my arm.

"It's okay, clam down. Let's go then." her tone is gentle and I nod as she leads me back farther. Finally she stops in front of a man in a black shirt. He must be the manager. "Um, Liam? This girl here...she's Amelia Roberts. You've heard of her right?"

The man scans my body but he looks angry and bored, "Yes? Why is she here?"

"She said she just escaped from her kidnapper and ran here. She seems really discombobulated and jumpy. She hasn't eaten in quiet a few days. I was wondering if she could have something on the house?"

He looks at me again. I looked like he would've said no but he nodded. "Of course. Has anyone called the police?"

"Yes, she did." Shelia answered for me, and I nodded.

The man's tone was softer as he looked down at me. "What would you like sweetheart? would anything do?"

i quickly nod again and he waves Shelia off. "You hear the girl. hurry now, before she starves." Shelia unlatched herself from me and I immediately hooked around Liam's arm. He seemed shocked at first, but he awkwardly let it slide. "Are you okay?" he asks in a low, sincere voice. i look up at him. "You look really banged up."

"Yeah.." I peep.

"Would you like to sit here for a bit while I tend to some work? Shelia will be back quickly with some food."

"I-I really don't want to be alone." my voice shakes and I realize how vulnerable and scared I sound. I didn't like it. Why was it I was more paranoid when away from Andrew?

He thinks for a moment then looks around and snatches the first employee he sees, stopping him in his tracks. "Tommy. Watch over this girl. Don't leave her alone she's scared."

"Why? Who is she? Why is she back he-"

Liam pushed Tommy towards me angrily. "Doesn't matter. Stay close to her. Shelia will be back soon." and with that, he left. I look eye level with Tommy with innocent eyes and decide not to latch onto him. He gave the vibe he didn't exactly like me.

A couple minutes went by and he hasn't even tried to strike a conversation or looked worried about me in the first place. It kind of hurt.

Finally, Shelia came back with two plates of food and Tommy immediately left with a sigh of relief. Okay yeah, that really hurt.

"Sorry it took me so long." She apologized. "But here ya go. I didn't know what you liked so your burger is kinda plain. Though, I can grab some condiments if you'd like.

"Some ketchup would be nice." I peep and she nods, running off. I freeze and is left alone in this room. I didn't feel safe. I felt like Andrew would snatch me up from behind at any moment.

I look around and frown, standing with my back against a wall. He's going to find you. He always does. Mia. You're screwed.

My hands start to shake as Shelia comes back, making me scream. "Oh! I'm so so sorry-" she apologized, handing me the ketchup. "I didn't mean to rush in here. I forgot you were alone there for a second."

"It's okay." I say as I take the ketchup. I squirt some onto the sandwich. But it was like I had suddenly lost my appetite. Just eat, Mia. Everything's fine. I tried telling myself but it was as if I could feel him coming. "Actually-" I give the plates back to Shelia. "I have to go. Now."

"You can't leave. The police will be here soon."

I was conflicted. I wanted to stay because she was right, the police should be here soon, but Andrew somehow finds me. Like fate wants us together. I shake my head and push past her, out the back doors running outside. The fresh air was nice and refreshing to my lungs.

I hear faint sirens in the distance  and walk along the side of the restaurant, watching as the car's pull up and officers rush out. I go to walk to them but hear Andrew again.

"Mia!" he sounded so happy. I shake my head to clear it. It's in your head. It's all in your head. As I begin to walk up, a hand snatches my wrist pulling me back and into a sturdy chest. My blood runs cold as I freeze. "Mia oh god, I'm so happy I found you."

It was Andrew.

The real Andrew.

Not in my head. Not in my head!

I slowly look up at him and see him beaming. His face was red and he looked like he was punched in a fight. Multiple times.

"Andrew..." my voice fails me. "H-how are you he..-where did...-" 

"Nevermind me, love. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

"N-no! I was safe, please let me go." I try to tug my wrist out his grasp but he tightened it.

"Oh god, they brainwashed you." he uttered, pulling me away from the restaurant. I didn't realize he had a gun in his other hand until I saw him tuck it away in his pants. 

"Andrew please let me go! HELP HELP ME PLE-!" his hand slapped over my face, hurting me a bit. He looked at me angrily but then he softened, looking sad. 

"God, what did they do to you, baby?" he seemed so pained. "Don't worry I'll get us outta here."

"Wait-no-they're helping."

"Helping? By taking you away from me?"

"No they..." I couldn't think of anything. After a while, he yanked me away from the restaurant. I couldn't believe it. I'd just let my chance of freedom slip away. Again. No! I have to do something! 

I dig my shoes into the dirt, making Andrew stop. I pull away from him hard and try to pry his fingers off of me. 

"Mia stop! Stop it!" he gritted his teeth, trying to control my spazzing body. "Please don't make me use it..." he frowned, and I calmed down to get a breath. After a few seconds, his grip loosened and I yanked hard, and broke into a sprint. 

Of course, I was immediately tackled from behind and pinned down.  I wiggled and tried bucking him off of me, but as you can see, I'm not very strong. 

Andrew took off his backpack and dug around it while still mounting me, but not to the point I couldn't breathe. I stop resisting and lay my head on the dirt. I'm done for. He pulls something out and I heard liquid. What?

Suddenly, he pressed a rag to my face and that sickly sweet smell I once inhaled months ago filled my lungs. Oh my god no! I tried fighting him again but he pushed my chest into the dirt, holding the rag deep into my face. I had no choice but to inhale. So I do.

It makes me nauseous as I hear him whisper things I couldn't understand. I let my body go limp and just inhale. The smell makes me dizzy and sick as my eyes start to flutter close. And then my whole world was swallowed into darkness.

I was his again.