07

« Um, thank you, » I say, slipping my arms through and welcoming the warmth.

« I’m sorry about the kiss, » he says. « I… it doesn’t matter. You can trust me. »

« Seriously, it’s fine. I don’t want to disturb you anymore than I have. I’ll go and get the train, » I reply, but when our eyes meet, that spark spirals inside of me. There it is again. That pull.

« You don’t have to. » His eyes drift to my lips and he steps closer—

« Hey, love, is this guy bothering you ? » a voice suddenly snaps through the trance.

I turn my head sharply, seeing a group of guys standing outside a house with the windows boarded up. They all look drunk and intimidating. The type you know like causing trouble over anything.

« No, I’m fine. »

« Get in the car, » he suddenly says again. This time he sounds different. On edge. From the corner of my eye, I see the guys are now walking toward us. Something about the way they look scares me. He looks at me, his eyes pleading with mine. « Please. »

I hear the warning, and I know in that moment that whatever’s going to happen isn’t going to be good. He turns his head to glare at the guys that are getting closer, backing me up.

« Okay, fine. I’ll go, » I say quickly, and he lets go of me. I run over to his car, opening the passenger door. I get inside and close the door, my heart sinking when the five of them are now surrounding him threateningly.

I’m not sure if this is bad or not. His fists are clenched by his sides but that’s all I can see. I can’t hear what they’re saying to one another. Then, suddenly, he reaches out and grabs one of them around the neck. The leader, I’m guessing.

I gasp when I hear shouting. What is he doing ? He’s going to get himself killed !

After saying something to him, he pushes him away and the guy falls back onto the floor. I watch in shock when the rest of them lunge at him. I go to grab the handle, to try and stop it somehow, but the doors are locked and no matter how hard I pull on the locks they don’t budge.

I hear a yell, and when I look back, one of the guy’s fist are trapped his hand. I shudder when I notice he’s crushing his hand. Snapping his bones one by one.

The rest of the gang jump him, but he lashes out and they all fly back into the air, landing on the floor while he stands perfectly untouched. The one he pushed down first charges at him fast and he grabs him easily in a vice. Then, he twists his neck, breaking it in half.

I scream and pull on the door handle like a lunatic. He just killed someone. I can’t believe it.

« Help ! Someone help me ! » I bang on the glass with my hand, continuing to scream. My yells are that loud, I don’t hear the door open beside me.

Not until I hear him say, « You’re going to break my car. »

I shut up and freeze. Turning my head slowly, I swallow hard that he’s sitting right next to me. He looks at ease, like killing someone had no effect on him.

He twists the key in the ignition and the car roars to life. I squeal, pressing my body into the car door to try and get away from him. He doesn’t look like he’s broken a sweat. His clothes are still perfect. Not even a wrinkle. How ?

« Let me out. »

« I’ve finally just got you in here, no. »

« Let me out of this car right now you fucking psychopath. You just killed someone ! »

« What ? » He shakes his head. « No, I didn’t. »

I stare at him. He’s joking, right ?

« Yes, you did, look. » I point out of the window, but my mouth drops when I see the guy he just killed is standing right in front of us, cracking his neck from side to side. Completely alive.

« Like I said. I didn’t. »His foot slams on the pedal and we speed away.

The car speeds down a dark road. I grip onto my seat-belt, very away that his hand resting on the gear stick is close my leg. His thumb thrums against the steering wheel in time to the song that’s playing on the radio.

It annoys me at how calm he is when I’m anything but. My heart thumps against my chest, my head going over everything I saw. He took out a gang of guys and walked away unharmed. How is that possible ?

I’m trying to understand. Understand how that man managed to get up after I was sure his neck had been broken. Did I imagine it ?

I just witnessed a murder, but it wasn’t a murder, because the guy is alive. I sigh and rub my head. What a mess.

« You’ve gone quiet ? » he breaks the silence, snapping me out of the argument that’s happening inside my head.

« Can you blame me ? » I shoot back, intending for it to come out rude. I want to ho home, and as I look around, I realize I’ve let my thoughts drift for too long. I’m in a place that looks unfamiliar. My heart starts racing. « Wait. Where are you taking me ? »

« My place, » he replies, and my heart sinks.

« What do you mean your place ? » I ask. « Take me to the train station. »

« I can’t do that. » He shakes his head and I gape at him. « For one, it’s one in the morning. No trains run past midnight, and if I’m honest, you’ve caused that much shit tonight, I don’t think letting you walk around this town is a good idea. »

What did I do ?

« You can’t just make me do what you want. Let me out of this car now. »

« Not happening. »

« Why ? » I protest. « I’ve done nothing wrong. » He snorts, making me angrier. « Whatever I’ve supposedly done, I don’t care. It doesn’t give you the right to keep me in your car against my God damn will. »

« Actually. » He gives me the darkest look. « I do have the right to do what I want since you broke my rules. Whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me until tomorrow. »

I grit my teeth with frustration and slam my back against the seat. He’s unbelievable. « Who are you ? »

« What do you mean ? »

« Your name, » I demand. « It’s the least you can give me. »