Oh, Sunday!! This week flew by faster than I thought. Based on the feedback of the past few weeks, I can tell you’re enjoying Julie’s gullible tribulations… Hehe. We’ll see how she grows up in the upcoming chapters then. A little excerpt for you to enjoy!
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We went fast. Really fast. Everything around me became a gigantic blur, just like catching a glimpse of a speeding car on the left lane on the freeway.
We were literally flying through trees and bushes. The boy held my left hand while my right hand held the box of chocolates. I couldn’t let go of it, even if I wanted to. Maybe my fingers were glued to it or something. Mostly, I couldn’t wrap my head around what just happened! First, I woke up in a place I didn’t recognize. Second, my encounter with another human being started with the word “run”. Third, I had no clue how or why I was able to sprint as though I didn’t feel my legs. I’ve never been good at running. Ever.
I stared ahead and all I saw was a warp of green, brown and white flash around me. The boy didn’t slow down or stop but strangely enough, my heartbeat remained calm and steady. I wasn’t panting. I wasn’t tired. No air hit me in the face. It was as if I stood behind an invisible shield, and was transported from one place to the next like on a train or an airplane. My run felt effortless.
My mind, on the other hand, was all over the place. So I focused on the movements of the muscles in the boy’s back, which strangely reminded me of Mark without a thing on him. Tall and slender, my ex hated exercising, but a two-packs-a-day habit does do wonders for metabolism…not to mention a bucketful of other stuff that makes me angry just thinking about it. Don’t get me wrong. Mark’s a smart guy, but did he have some serious issues! How did I fall for him? I’m not sure anymore. His smile, his glance, everything about him cried for my attention, and love never gives a warning.
Okay, the scenery was gorgeous. The aforementioned muscles rocked. Why was I still thinking about Mark?
When we finally stopped running like torpedoes, the low murmur of waves hitting the shore brought me back to a place dear to my childhood. Sand stretched for miles on a deserted beach that strangely reminded me of Oceanside, California, where I used to live until I was about fifteen.
“Where are we?” The water formed a perfect mirror that reflected the brightest sunlight.
“We gotta go!” The boy pulled on my hand but I didn’t move an inch.
“I’m thirsty.”
“Really?” The boy puffed. “There’s water here.” He pointed ahead of him.
“Oh yeah?” I puffed right back, “Where do you think I’m from?” and held his stare until he looked down.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Where do you come from?” He tilted his head just enough to glance at me, and I caught a mocking spark in his eyes.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I slowly started to feel uncomfortable. “Where are we?”
“If we stay here, we’re going to get killed.”
“That’s hilarious. And who’s going to kill us?”
“You don’t want to know.”
His somber gaze ratcheted up my uneasiness. “What’s your name?” I barely managed before my legs wobbled under me.
He quickly grabbed my waist to keep me steady. My vision blurred.
“What’s happening to me…” I slurred.
“We need to find shelter, and then we talk. Deal?” He sounded genuinely concerned.
I closed my eyes.
“You’re shivering.”
Oh, who were you, my beautiful stranger? Were you sent to guide me to the holy gates of heaven on my last day?
The weight of my body dragged me to the ground to a crescendo of pain filling my head.
“I’ll take care of you,” I heard him whisper in my ear before my whole world turned black.
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Check back next week for more!! And don’t forget to check the other participant’s blogs.
