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Room 314. Another dark, dingy hotel in another disgusting town. What in the hell am I doing here? I think as I walk down the dimly lit hallway, inhaling ungodly amounts of cigarette smoke and who knows what else.
It's the same as basically every other day. Checking into another room, another hotel. Crashing on the bed, a bottle of vodka in one hand, room key in the other. Trying desperately to not think of how disgusting these beds and linens are. Wondering where I'll go from here and how I'll manage to survive. When thoughts of him fill my head, it's physically painful to breathe. The liquor is the only thing that can soothe the sting and ease my racing mind.
I've been running from him for nearly three years now. No, not from him exactly. Just from the thoughts of him. If I can just make it to the next town, the next man, the next drink.... Maybe it will be enough. Maybe I can finally get some peace.
With my head spinning and stars forming, I drag my feet to the tiny bathroom and groan at the thought of taking a shower. I grab a towel and washcloth, starting the water and wishing I was anywhere else. Wishing I was still in his arms, cradled in his hands. I know that's just the loneliness talking though. There was honestly nothing good about that man and the absolute hell he put me through. As the tears threaten to spill down my cheeks, I swipe my left hand under both eyes, shaking my head and stepping into the lukewarm water.
As I step out of the small shower, I am feeling much more like myself. It's amazing how much that simple act can clear my head and remind me of exactly who I am and what I want. I smile to myself and throw my hair up in the damp towel. There's still a painful emptiness in my chest, tightening it until the breaths are a bit painful, but I refuse to let him drag me back down yet again. Resolved to have a better day, I grab my makeup and get dressed. Black jeans, black fitted tee, distressed leather jacket, natural makeup, with my shoulder length ruby hair cascading around my shoulders. By the time I'm walking out of the hotel door, I am ecstatic. I am ready to take on the world. I am ready to claim what is rightfully mine.
************
With it being Thursday evening, I step out onto the street and am not the least bit surprised to find it nearly deserted. Most people have work tomorrow and families to tuck in at home. Bed time stories to read. Baths to give. Memories to make. I lightly shake my head to clear the thoughts and start walking, destination unknown.
I find myself in a 50's style diner with a hamburger, fries, and a strawberry shake in a matter of an hour. My buzz is wearing off now. My head feels a bit foggy. As I take a sip from the milkshake, I glance up and see the most gorgeous human I have ever laid eyes upon. He is tall, fit, jet black hair down nearly in his eyes, baseball cap turned backwards. I can feel his energy from across the diner. It's damn near electric.
Watching his jaw move as he takes another bite, the way his hands move, the tattoos on his forearms flexing. Holy fuck! I start sputtering as a chunk of strawberry comes in contact with my uvula, nearly throwing the cup to the floor. God damnit, you idiot! I slap down a $20 bill on the table, still trying to regain my composure, grab my jacket, and stomp outside as quickly as possible. Leaning against the next building to catch my breath, I try to calm myself down and not jump out in front of the next moving car in the street just to end my embarrassment. How fucking stupid are you?
Ugh, it's no wonder he left you. You can't even manage to drink a milkshake without nearly killing yourself! SO embarrassing. I'm trying to drown out the self-hate but it's difficult today, especially after making a total idiot out of myself. Running my hands through my freshly dyed hair, I push off the building and head out to find my hotel again. I head down a dark alley, thinking it's a shortcut back to the hotel.
After about twenty minutes of walking, I turn down a pitch-black alleyway. Well, not truly pitch-black. There is a small light on the right wall, about halfway down. How strange, I think to myself, my feet leading me directly to it.
There's a solid metal door, but it doesn't look like it would be functional anymore. It's rusty around the edges, with cobwebs in the top corners. Looking around, I don't see any clues as to what this door might lead to. I try the knob this time but find that it's locked. Disappointed, I shimmy it a bit, just to be sure, before letting it go and continuing on my way. When I finally turn the corner, I see the neon sign for the hotel a little way ahead. Pulling the vodka from my pocket yet again, I'm determined to drown my sorrows and kill the embarrassment. I gulp it down like it will fix all the broken pieces in my soul.
************
After two days of self-pity and a fuck of a hangover, I pull myself together and head back out on the town. I find myself in the same little diner again after taking in some of the sites. I had fully intended to avoid this place like the plague, but I'll admit I'm curious. Was he just passing through? Plus, that was the best burger I've had in a long time and I'm famished. I haven't eaten since the milkshake incident.
The waitress, her tag says Cindy, is sweet as tea in the deep south. She brings my burger, cheese fries, and Coke in record time. The diner is empty today, minus an older couple at the bar and a mom and son at another table, tucked into the corner. No handsome stranger in sight today. I eat quickly, pay my tab, and head out the door, just as the sun sinks down behind the buildings across the street. I put my earbuds in and head off in the opposite direction of the hotel. I want to see what else there is in this town.
I've been walking in circles for hours now. It's completely dark out and I'm getting sketched out a bit. It's eerily quiet, even with just one earbud in now. The music helps me keep my sanity though. My mind is racing with unease and I can't seem to recall which way I came from anymore. I feel like I've been here a thousand times yet never seen this spot before in my life. This is what you get for wanting to go exploring, genius. Now you have no choice. Good luck not dying tonight.
Ignoring my thoughts, I turn down a dark street. Within seconds, I recognize it. This is the alleyway with the weird door, except there's no light on tonight. Weird. At least I sorta know where I am now though. Maybe I can find my way back to the........
************
"What the actual FUCK?!" I scream as soon as my mouth is uncovered. "Who are you and where the fuck am I?!" I still can't see anything. All I can smell is cigarette smoke and sweat. Maybe some blood. Can you even smell blood? I take a quick mental note of the smells and sounds. I hear ice in a glass, music in the background, heavy shoes (boots maybe?) against the floor. Men talking in the distance. Where the fuck am I?
I don't hear him move, but I can feel his presence in the room, coming closer. A finger touches my face, starting from my left temple, down my cheek, across my lips. All I can feel is pure rage. Blinding hatred. Just when I open my mouth to repeat my questions, his hand is iron around my throat. He cuts off my protests in an instant. There's no doubt this man is in control here and I am helpless. Well, not entirely.
I slam my knee up into his groin, rolling to my right as he lets out a groan and releases my neck. As soon as my weight shifts, I realize how stupid this was. My hands are still tied, still blindfolded. This is bad.
What the.... Is he actually laughing? Oh no no no. Fuck.
His hand is back around my throat, making my head swim. I can feel his glare burning holes through my head, even though I can't see anything. I am in so much trouble, I think to myself before my ears start ringing and everything fades away.
************
When I peel my eyes open against the pain in my head, I'm surprised to actually be able to see. No more blindfold. The room is dark and silent, the only noise coming from me moving around to get a better look. Why am I on a bed? Why am I handcuffed?! My heart rate picks up its pace until I remember what happened before I blacked out. I slump back against the comforter and release a sigh I didn't know I was holding in.