Snatched (On Going) I'm Sorry---have Been Extremely Ill---will Update Soon

FIVE.

      My mouth felt dry, completely void of any air or saliva. "Bridger?" I asked this question with an almost accusatory tone, even though I had already known it was him. "In the flesh." He said a smile curving up the side of his lip in his voice.

     "Not that I'm not happy to hear from you but... how did you get my number?" He actually laughed a bit. "I have my ways." I closed my eyes at this. "Okay." I said lamely, without any idea what else to say. "I was wondering if I could come see you. I really need to talk." I screwed up my face. "When?" The smile in his voice came through his voice thicker now. "Today?"

         I looked at my ceiling again. "I thought you lived over six hours away?" I said. "Oh, I do. Or at least I did." "What do you mean?" He chuckled a little and said, "I'll tell you when I see you, so today is good?" I was quite for a long moment.

       "Okay." My heart thumped a bit. "Can you text me your address? I'm about an hour away from Gildburg." My stomach gave a jolt. "Okay, I will. See you soon." "Can't wait." The phone clicked. I pulled my phone away from my ear and typed my address into the text message box and hit send. My head was swimming, both with the high I had going and the new high that was on his way here.

       I got out of bed and walked over to the mirror, my eyes have deep bruise-like purple circles under them. I had barely any color in my once vibrant tanned skin. I decided that I shouldn't try to get pretty. I just didn't care. If he could have stood the sight of me in that place, he would certainly be able to handle me this way. I decided to tell my mom he was coming.

       I got up and walked out of my room. I walked down the hall and found her in her room. The door cracked open a bit. "Mom?" I called before I pushed the door open. "Come in." She said kindly. I walked over to her bed and sat down. "Mom. Bridger is coming over." She looked up at me. "The boy..who.. was with you?" I nodded. "Are you sure that is a good idea? Are you ready?" "I do think it is a good idea. I am ready to see him. We have a lot to talk about."

      My mother looked at me with a little unease etched into her face. "You can make your own choices, just make sure you let me know if you need me, okay?" I smiled and hugged her. "Of course momma."

  I got up from her bed and walked back to my room. I went to the bathroom and took my time using it and washing my hands. I had about 45 more minutes till he arrived. I went back to my bed and left the door cracked to hear when he knocked on the door. I lit another cigarette and smoked it slowly, inhaling deep hits and exhaling them. I ashed my cigarette in my ceramic tyedye ash tray.

      The minutes seemed to tick by slowly. When you're looking forward to something time seems to crawl. I picked up my phone and decided to play some solitaire for a little while.
I was in the middle of a game when my phone started to vibrate and ring. It was Bridger. I felt my stomach twist into knots as I answered. "Hello." I said. "I'm here." The line clicked again.

    I got up and walked to the door opening it up, and walked down the hall my heart seemed to be exploding from my chest. I walked into the living room and opened the front door. There he was, walking up the drive.He was smiling brightly, and I couldn't help but smile back. He began to jog a bit and put his arms around me hugging me tightly.

     "Hello, beautiful." I just hugged him for a long while. We finally broke apart and I hadn't realized but I was crying again. That is all I seem to do these days. He brought his warm hands to my face and rubbed his thumbs across my cheeks to whipe away my tears.

    I looked up into his deep brown eyes. The truth was I think I loved him. He changed my whole world. He saved me. He got me through all that terrible time I was locked away.
He put his hand on my hair and stroked it slowly, "sh...sh....sh.." He whispered softly next to my ear. Why was I such a little bitch now? I never used to cry. I could watch any sad movie and mosey right along without even the slightest watery eye. I now cried over everything.

   It took a few minutes of his comfort to ease away the tears. I finally pulled away and wiped my eyes on my sleeve. He had to think I was a nutter. I was surprised he handled everything so well.

    I could barely order food in the drive thru these days. I decided the best place to talk would be the back deck. "Follow me?" I asked a hint of despair in my voice. He nodded and I led the way to our kitchen. As I opened the sliding door I felt a bit uneasy.

     I wasn't exactly ready to talk to him about this... but.. It has been 4 months since I saw him. And the last time I had saw him was in the back of the ambulance... He looked pristine now. No dirt on his face, his hair completely springy, his eyes bright. They were filled with something though... I think it was pity? Sadness? Anger? It seemed to be all of those things.

   I swallowed hard and sat down in the deck chair bringing my knees into the chair and resting my hands on my knees. I didn't look at him, instead I stared out at the mountains my house was nestled in.
"How are you?" He said finally. "Well... I am not great." I said. He nodded. "I know, Em."

     I shook my head a little. "How about you?" He stared at me his eyes piercing into me. "I may look fine but I am also lost.... My head is constantly full of sick images and memories." I broke his gaze and stared at my hands, "I have terrible nightmares. I can barely sleep at all and when I do I wake up screaming." He reached out to touch touch my hand and then stopped himself and looked away.

     I didn't know what I should do but I reached out for his hand. He looked at me and a little smile curved his mouth and he took my hand. He laced his fingers between mine. The heat radiating from his hand felt so comforting in my own.