In the arms of evil

A new me

I've never been anywhere but Tennessee. It's my whole life and all I've ever known. But I've lost everything here. Every little part of me. And I need to get away. To start fresh. Maybe then I'll be able to forget.

'Hey, come on girl, I ain't got all day' Cara shouts, hanging out of her car. At least I still have her. I'm so thankful she agreed to give me her old car to take with me when I leave. I owe her so much for reasons I can't bring myself to say. She's like my sister and I owe her my life. "Sorry" i chuckle, taking one last look at my house "just trying to savour the memories."
"Trust me Brook, there's no memories here you want to remember" she looks down and shakes her head, getting rid of last months reason for my departure. "I'm gonna miss you. So fucking much" she tears up and pulls me in for a hug to hide her tears from me. She's always been the tough one. I've always been the sweet one. That's probably why I ended up the way I did. With who I did. "Promise to text and call everyday?" She demands, holding me by my shoulders. I let out a laugh and roll my eyes "yes mom" I say sarcastically. She shoves my arm playfully before pulling me in for one more tight hug. "See you round, Cara". And with that I get in my new black  bmw and drive towards my new home. Nantucket here I come.

It took a while to drive there but I finally made it to the boarding ship. It was the only way I could get the car across to Nantucket. Within hours of sea and peacefully watching waves crash by, I was here. A little town by the sea. Somewhere he will never find me. After a few wrong turns and asking some people for directions, I finally came across my new beach house. Perfect. Just what I wanted. I've always found a clarity near the sea. Laying on the sand and looking out at the stars kept me going. It gave me hope. Hope of a new life and something better than what I had. Not that my life in Tennessee wasn't great. It was. But with no grandparents left and my parents death a year ago, along with the monster living with me, life got dark quick. He went too far though and he had to go. But I don't know where and nor does anyone else. So here I am. Running as far as I can.

Finally unpacked on the few things I have, I hear my phone ping loud in my pocket. My heart races and my palms grow sweaty until I see its Cara's number. I pick up with a shaky sigh and push the thought of him aside "hey, I've just finished unpacking. I'm all set up. Think I'm going to go to bed though. This stuff is really tiring" I find myself yawning. "What? Noooo, you have to get out there. Go to a bar or something. Meet some new people" she's very hyper. "Cara, you know I don't want another man in my life right now. I think I'm done with them for now." I roll my eyes. "Listen, you wasn't always this sweet, remember? You were tough as hell and could handle yourself before that pig came along. You'll get your spunk back Brooklyn. You just need a push" we both fall silent for some time before I let out a sigh "fine. I'll give it my best" she squeals in excitement and asks to FaceTime to help me pick out an outfit.

I end up wearing black leather leggings, and a laced up , red mesh top. Finished with black louboutins and a leather jacket. "Yeah, now I'm starting to feel like myself" I say, licking my lips covered in a silky red. "That's my girl" Cara whispers, literally wiping away tears like a proud mother. I chuckle and roll my eyes at her exaggeration before telling her bye and heading out.

I end up at a run down bar filled with the scent of old cigarette smoke and sticky whiskey. Neon lights illuminate the dark corners of the bar, and there's a rumble at the pool table. I try to stay avoided and find myself at the head of the bar taking a seat on a satin emerald stall. Men barge by and women tumble over but I keep myself hidden amidst the glowing of the alcohol shelves. Leaning against the bar beside me  stands a broad man with a crooked smirk across his chiselled jawline suited with a worn leather jacket, boots and ripped jeans. He smells of whiskey and motor oil. He reeks of bad decisions. With a thin white T-shirt, you can clearly see his muscular body pressing against his shirt along with hidden tattoos. I look up into his eyes; pools of green greeted with flickers of sunlight orange. They burn brighter the harder I look. His hair is raven and  flicked back with gel. He has a broken lip and a bruise forming under his eye but he smiles anyway. Like the other guy is clearly in a worsened state. A neck tattoo catches my eye. A Cerberus stands strong surrounded by hellfire. This man clearly has a red flag waving above his head and I'm the idiot checking him out. 
I turn away quickly and examine my drink. He takes a seat beside me and calls the barman over. He must be a regular, because the barman already knows what the mysterious stranger to my left, already wants. "Haven't seen you around here before" he says taking a strong gulp of his whiskey, eyes forward. His voice is husky and authoritative. He clearly catches my attention because I'm back at staring at this god of a man. "Didn't your parents ever tell you it's rude to stare?" His emerald orbs trail up and down my body before he stops at my eyes and goes back to taking another sip. I clear my throat and take a sip of my cognac. "I could ask you the same" I say, feeling brave. But I regret it instantly. He puts his glass down and turns his top half of his muscular torso towards me. "Say, what's a pretty little thing like you doing in a bar like this?" He doesn't take his eyes off me. But I can feel the dominance radiating off of him so I keep my eyes glued to my drink. "You're new here...aren't you?" His eyes squint as he examines me further before he continues after I don't reply "well this is a quite town, lucky for you. Not everyone's as intimidating as me,doll" I set my drink down, stunned at the words pouring from his egotistical mouth. I threw my head back and laughed in bewilderment "Yeah, lucky for me I don't find you intimidating, honey. I've had a lot worse than the likes of you" he seems stunned by my response but doesn't have time to reply before I pick up my bag, pay my tab and storm out.

Before I know it, he's caught up to me in a rush. He yanks my arm back, and at the sight of my frightened eyes, pulls away and holds his hands up to show he means no harm. "Listen, lady I'm real sorry about back there. Didn't mean to scare you off" I scoff at his attempt at an apology "listen, pal, my names not lady. And you had no right" I can feel my body shaking. I'm not afraid, I'm angry. For the first time in months I actually feel something other than fear. "Okay...well how about we start over? Promise I'm not always such a dick" he tries to laugh off. It relaxes me enough to stop huffing and puffing and take a chance. "Fine. My names Brooklyn. And I'm no doll" I say sarcastically, narrowing my eyes. He chuckles at my attempt to intimidate and holds out his hand. "Hey" he says, " my names Colton. Nice to meet you...doll".

Little did I know, meeting this 50's playboy would lead me towards the stars.