Samantha was almost late to work. Something she didn't like and always thought it a sign of irresponsibility and laziness. She had gone out this morning to throw away some trash when she noticed a beat up guy sleeping between two dumpsters.
He was practically naked and only in his underwear.Well that's what she thought because they looked more like huge napkin wrapped around him. It was cold out and she had a small blanket wrapped around her. She decided to wake him and when she did he tried getting up. She looked away and offered him her blanket then invited him to a cup of coffee.
Samantha wasn't overly fond of strangers but she was always kind to them, though inviting a half naked beaten up stranger was something she had never done she felt like it was the right thing to do. Jacob who she learned later that it was his name gave her a sense to trust him and trust him she did.
"SAMANTHA " said a colleague of hers to while waving a hand in front of her. " What's got into you. You've been in a trance for like the past thirty minutes. Are you okay ?"
It was Amy a long time friend and colleague of hers.
"I'm fine " she said" Ahhhh what were you saying again "
"I was just asking if you wanted to go out tonight. It is a friday and the girls are having a friday night today, so wanted to check if you were interested"
" Ohh sorry Amy not tonight. I've got something important to take care of maybe another time, but thanks for the invite " she replied.
" Ohh well your loss girl" she said and left.
The rest of the day passed by like a blur. Since it was friday she left work a bit early than all the other days. She remembered to pass by the grocery store this time. Maybe it was because she had a guest at home and she didn't want to feed him just pizza.
After buying all that she needed she hailed down a cab and gave the driver her address. A couple of minutes later they arrived at her apartment building. She got out of the cab and paid the driver.
" Keep the change " she told him.
" Why thank you miss " he said and slowly drove off.
Samantha climbed the steps to her apartment ever since she moved her. The elevator was out of service and the landlord didn't seem keen on repairing it. She opened her door and everything was quite. She entered the living room to find Jacob reading her favorite book.
"Welcome home " he said sheepishly.
"Thank you. I see you've found my book"
" It's a good book. I hope you don't mind me reading it" he said.
"Of course not , it's just a book it's not like you're gonna eat or something".
Samantha took her grocery bags to the kitchen and turned on the stove . She went to her bedroom to get a quick change. She started preparing dinner. Jacob joined her and sat on the kitchen Ile.
"Well, how was work " he said.
"Don't do that " she said
"Do what " he replied.
" Ask me about work " she said " you sound like my ex"
"Ohh sorry, didn't mean to "
"Ahh its okay no harm done" she replied " So how are you?"
"Sorry?" Jacob asked.
" How are you feeling. Had some rest I hope "
"Ohh yeah I'm better, a bit sore but better thanks" Jacob replied.
Jacob and Samantha had some small talk while she continued preparing dinner. Half an hour later they were seated around the kitchen island. Before eating Jacob Samantha noticed Jacob put his hands together and pray. When he was done he began to eat.
" So you're a believer, a christian by the looks of it " she said.
"Something like that why ?, aren't you a believer?" he asked.
"Not really, no I don't believe in a supreme being. I have no reason to believe in what I cannot see and only know through myth and folklore"
"God is no myth no folklore my dear, he exists just as you do. Just because you cannot see him does not mean otherwise" he said.
" How can you believe in something you have not seen with your own two eyes" she asked.
"My dear, do you not believe the existence of wind but can you see it. Do you not know of the presence of bacteria and micro bacteria but do you see them ?.
Even scientists claim to have discovered things such as black holes yet you believe them but have you ever seen them with your own two eyes?. Not everything's existence is determined by the capacity of us being able to see it with our eyes"
"Well you have a strong pint there I cant argue with that but still I think its a bit way over the top. I mean God, Angels , Demons ,Hell these are all too much for me to believe" she said.
"I don't blame you. Humans tend to be afraid of what they don't understand.It has always been that way and I believe always will" he replied.
They finished the rest of their meal in silence. Jacob washed the dishes while Samantha cleaned the Ile .
"Well I'm off to sleep " said Samantha with a yawn "I'll see you in the morning"
"Goodnight" Jacob said.
""Goodnight"
It was in the middle of the night when Samantha was woken up by strange sounds. She glanced at her bedside clock and it was two thirty in the morning.
'What could be making such a ruckus' she thought and climbed down her bed. She opened her bedroom door and peeped into tye living room. When she saw nothing she stepped out.
She could hear the sounds more audibly now and they were coming from the room Jacob was in. She knocked on the door and received no reply. She knocked again same response so she decided to open the door.
What she saw puzzled her. In front of heron the bed lay Jacob but struggling as if something or someone was choking him. He's arms were trying to release something that seemed to be around he's neck.
"Jacob " she said as she stepped into the room. "What's going on?" She asked.
"Run " he managed to say through gritted teeth.
" What!" She exclaimed " What do you mean ru.." she didn't finish her sentence as she was sent flying into the wall. She managed to get up she wasn't hurt but she had hit her head kinda hard so she felt kinda dizzy.
It seemed like her presence had causedJacob's assailant to loosen the grip it had on Jacob because a moment later Jacob was jumping off the bed and running towards Samantha. He grabbed her hand and sprinted out of there. They were heading down the stairs and Samantha still felt kinda dizzy.
Once out of the building Jacob took a right and started running across the street pulling Samantha behind him. Once the dizzines had cleared she tried to stop but Jacob didn't let her.
"Why are running " she asked.
"Run now explain later" he replied.
They ran for about six blocks then took a right into an alley and hid. That's when Samantha became aware of what she was wearing. She was in an alley with only her pajamas on and her morning sleepers on.
Jacob on the other hand was in the Jeans she had given him but didn't have he's shirt on. She was about to ask him something when he put he's arms on her mouth preventing her from making a sound.
Jacob was shaking and she couldn't see what he was so afraid of. He was looking straight ahead and was sweating terribly. She just couldn't see what was chasing them but she had been hit and her gut told her that something was up so she kept quiet.
The air seemed to get heavier with each moment that passed by. The dustbin in the front of the alley was thrown by something invisible. It hit the wall behind them and crumpled to the ground. Samantha was now frightened and the hair on her skin was standing on end.
Jacob looked at Samantha then put a finger to his lips. She nodded indicating that she understood. Another dustbin was thrown off but this time it was closer than the last one.
Samantha could hear her heart hammering in her chest. It was so loud she thought Jacob could hear it. She gripped his hand without thinking, she needed reassurance that he was there.
It was suddenly quiet, too quiet to be exact. Fir a moment Samantha thought that whatever thing that was chasing them had left. She turned to Jacob to speak but before she even opened her mouth the dustbin they were standing behind was thrown to the side along with them.
Samantha had hit her head again but this time she had hit it hard. She was lying on the ground and could barely see. Jacob kept coming in and out of her vision. She was getting dizzy and soon she would faint. Moments later she was grabbed by her hands and forced to her feet. It was Jacob, he was dragging her with him as they ran.
Samantha kept tumbling as they ran. She could barely see nor stand yet alone run. They were in a car park now. Jacob sat her down by the side of a car and smashed the window with his fist. He unlocked the door and helped her into the passenger seat. He then ran over to the driver's side and Samantha unlocked the door for him.
"Keys have you seen any keys..?" Jacob asked.
Samantha just shook her head. Jacob rummaged through the car looking for the keys but didn't find any, so he tried hot-wiring the car. Gosh he didn't even know what he was doing. He had never driven a car yet now he was trying to hot wire one. He broke the compartment under the steering wheel and started hooking up random wires.
The sound of the car alarm wasn't doing them any good. It was a clear beacon to where they were. Another test of random wires and this time he heard the engine give a low hum. Car alarms started going off wildly and he knew they it had caught up with them.
He tried the wires again but all he got was a the same response. Cars were being thrown aside and it was getting closer and closer. He tried it again and this time the engine roared to life. He gripped the wheel and then out his foot on the gas. The car went in full reverse and hit the car behind them. Jacob adjusted the gear to drive and then he sped out of there.
He looked at her Samantha sitting in the passenger seat. She was passed out and badly bruised. She had blood on her face probably from hitting her head twice. Well her life was ruined because of him and that was fact. If only she had left him in the alley this wouldn't be happening to her. They were on the run, from what he just couldn't tell her not yet at least. The truth would terrify her. It was better this way not fully being aware of what she was in danger of.
"Ahhhh if only she had left me " he said out loud.
" Guess kindness does come back to bite you in this world"