Cruel Kiss (On Hold)

Chapter 3- Stranger Danger

According to Avery, my best friend extraordinaire, there are only two kinds of people in the world. Those that like cheese, and those that don't. The ones that do enjoy partaking in the cheesy goodness of the world, aka me, are destined to a life in the shadows, always following social rules and constructs. The ones that don't, aka her, having risen above the societal rules that dictate which foods are good for consumption, will rise above the others and shine.

She tells me this every single time we order pizza, and this happens to be one of those times. Avery throws a few strands of her short blonde hair over her shoulders, her gaze intent upon the slice on her plate. Her full mouth pulls down into a frown as she gingerly picks the cheese off of her pizza.

It's honestly barbaric. I've never understood why she doesn't like cheese. I suspect that she isn't fully human. A group of boys walk by, giving us curious looks as the walk passed. A slight blush rises to my cheeks as they notice Avery dissecting her pizza and snicker.

"Ave, do you have to pick it apart like that?" I whine, sitting back in my chair and scanning the room.

"Why yes, yes I do." She replied, matter-of- factly.

I noticed a strange movement on the far side of the food court, my eyes watching the man. He was tall and muscular, with blond hair cropped close to his head. He had a faint scar on the left side of his face, running horizontally on his cheekbone. His movements were slow and sure as walked leisurely around the area, but it looked forced. He looked like he was trying to be inconspicuous, except no one that good looking could ever melt into the shadows.

I had seen him earlier, lurking outside of the bookstore. I had turned around, and he was there. Our eyes had connected, and I had the disturbing feeling that he had been watching me.

Sweet Fudge, Kenna, get yourself together. He wasn't watching you! That's just silly!

Yet, I could almost feel his eyes on me. I shivered involuntarily as I turned back to Avery. She was munching on her cheese free pizza, a content look on her face. She popped the last bit of crust into her mouth, chewing slow and content, but froze when she looked up at me.

"What's wrong?" She asks, her lips turning down as she examines whatever expression is on my face.

I glance back at the man, who's now standing just a bit closer than before. The palms of my hands break out in a cold sweat. What if he is following me? What if he knows me? It's possible that we could have spoken while I was sleeping. People have been known to be able to have conversations while sleep walking, it wouldn't be the strangest thing to have happened.

"Nothing. I just- I think I may have started my period. I'm gonna go find a bathroom." I reply to her, my gut twisting at having lied to my best friend.

It's necessary though. What if that guy is after me? If he tries to make a grab for me, and Avery's there, he might try to take her too. I refuse to get my best friend kidnapped!

I walk towards the women's restroom, my heartbeat pounding in my chest. I'm too afraid to turn and see if he's following me. I push through the door, going to the sink to look in the mirror. My grey eyes are wide as I take in my reflection. Several strands of my chocolate brown hair are spilled out of the hair elastic. My pale skin looks almost sickly under the fluorescent lighting.

A woman comes out of the stall, giving me a strange look as she washes her hands. I remember I'm supposed to be in here for a reason. People don't take kindly to others panicking in bathrooms.

My hands shake as I reach into my purse, grabbing the tube of mascara. I drag in a shuttering breath, huffing out a sigh as I lean forward to apply another coat. I do this until the woman leaves, thankfully saving me from having some seriously freaky looking eyelashes.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. A few droplets of sweat bead on my forehead, the side effect of my nerves.

I hear a muffled voice coming through the door and I tense. My blood whooshes in my ears and my mind blanks.

"What do I do? Whatdoidowhatdoidowhatdoido," I mumble to myself, becoming lost in my panic.

I'm going to have to go out there at some point. My only hope is to make a run for it. I pause, is that even a good plan? That seems like a terrible plan, Kenna.

Sweet fudge, what if I trip? Then the guy is gonna get me for sure.

I tip toe to the door, internally praying that no one tries to come in as I get very close. I grab the handle, careful to slowly and quietly ease the door open a crack. No doubt looking super crazy, I move my face so that I can peak out through the slit.

Mall goers walk past, laughing and smiling as they go by. From here, I can see the food court. Avery is still stuffing her face, while occasionally looking up to watch for me.

A flicker of movement to the right has my eyes snapping sideways. It's him. I suck in a breath, holding it as my body becomes rigid. He's standing off to the side, hands in his pockets. I can hear his deep voice, and I open the door a little further to see who he's talking to. There's two other men with him, one blond like him and the other with shaggy black hair. His goons maybe?

"We can't let her get away, man. You know what the Alpha would do to us if she is the one. Are you willing to risk that? Because I'm sure not!" Goon Number One tells the man.

What does that mean? If I'm the one?

The man sighs, his hand coming up to scratch his head absentmindedly before saying, "I believe she is the one. I'm almost certain. We'll just have to grab her when she comes out."

Oh, hell no! There's not a chance in hell I'm going to let blondie and his goons grab me. Absolutely, one hundred percent not.

I fling open the door, my legs propelling me into a run. I hear one of the goons shout as I dart through the crowd. My muscles burning from the effort, I round a corner and pause as I see the exit doors. The pounding of footsteps behind me has me hurtling into motion again. I fly through the doors and out onto the parking lot.

The bright rays of the sun stun me only for a moment and I swing my body to the right, running as fast as I can. I turn my head as I run, scanning the lot for Avery's car.

A terrible feeling of dread fills me when I don't see it. Where could it possibly be? Why isn't it here? What am I going to do? I'm panicking, my breathing coming out in labored pants. I round the corner of the brick building, only to crash into a wall of solid muscle.

The collision unbalances me and I fall to the ground, my butt hitting the concrete sidewalk. A shot of pain snakes up from the area, and I wince. That's surely going to leave a nasty bruise.

I look up at Goon One right before he lunges at me. He grabs ahold of my arms, his callused hands locking into place. I let out a scream before his hand comes up to cover my mouth. Tears streak down my face as I struggle to get free. Blondie and Goon Two round the corner and look at us with wide eyes. Goon Two steps forward, his hands coming up in an appeasing gesture. I look over as Blondie takes off running into the parking lot. I look around wildly, hoping for someone to come and help.

Goon One's other hand comes up, a cloth covering his palm. My body bucks, desperately trying to get free  as the cloth rises towards my face.

Against my best intentions, I inhale. A strong chemical burns my nostrils and my vision goes fuzzy. I feel large arms snake around me, before lifting me up. My head bobbles and my arms hang limp at my sides, before I finally fade into unconsciousness.