"Maddison? That's you isn't it?" A timid voice called out to Mya from the left. It was this same voice that plagued her with nightmares. Her eyes quickly locked onto the source, but Mya couldn't find her voice to usher a response. Feeling as if her feet had become rooted to the ground, she tensed up praying her vision was simply messing with her. 'It can't be him…no..god please!' She couldn't get her eyes to look toward his face, and instead stared down at his chest. She watched the open blue button up brush back in the cold wind along with a white tee that was sloppily tucked into baggy faded jeans. The man seemed entirely blind to the blatant discomfort Mya was feeling as he yelled out again getting closer.
"It is you! I knew it! Finally I found ya! Ahh it's been too long Maddie, just too long! What, somethin' bout 2 years now? Well it's mighty fine to see ya! Mighty fine indeed." His words acted like needles, each one stabbing deep into Mya's mind.
She felt like a crushing weight was pressing down on her, as if forcing her to grow small and weak. With each step closer, Mya's heart sank further and further.
"Hey Maddison…say somethin' would ya? I've looked everywhere for ya and now…we're finally together! I mean ain't that great! Maddie?" The concept of that caused her stomach to turn.
Feeling his large coarse hands suddenly grasp her arms with a firm hold, mimicked the sensation of bugs crawling over her skin. She trembled at the feeling of his every breath that brushed past her hair. The mixed scent of booze and cigarettes made for a very nauseating experience. This man repulsed her to the point her skin started to grow irritated under his fingers.
"A-Adam…how…how did…wh-when did you get here?" Mya forced out her shaken voice as she began to feel faint. It got harder to breath and her face visibly became pale.
"You don't gotta worry your little head 'bout the details. I can tell ya later. Hey, Maddie, are ya feeling right? Kinda seem under the weather. Ya know, I bet-cha it was all that studyin' ya do! Haha! Always with yer face in those books!" Adam continued to prove oblivious to her discomfort, pulling her into a hug. Mya closed her eyes silently begging for help from anyone.
With her hand interlocked with Adam's now, Mya was trapped with no escape. The two walked down the vacant sidewalk dimly illuminated by the old yellow streetlights. The cold dampness of the air felt like a depressing blanket just locking her in. Mya was subjected these inappropriate ramblings that the country boy was spewing. She truly hoped he would just stay a bad memory, but now feels like she's been dragged back to hell. 'God please…kill me. Anything to get out of this! Anything?!' Staring at the ground desperately keeping her tears in as she walked slow beside Adam, Mya's mind focused only on wanting this to be over. Adam, without warning, stopped in his tracks. This made Mya jump with a panicked whimper.
"I just really missed you Maddison. Honestly, all of those things that people were saying, 'Bout you…'bout us! I never believed a word! I knew you wouldn't ever do that to me! No way no how! They were the ones in our way…always trying to keep us apart. Your Ma was always so…no. It doesn't matter anymore! We have each other now and are gonna prove 'em all wrong, together! My heart is always yours Maddison! My ride or die!" With this sudden profession of love Adam's hand roughly clasped her neck and cheek. Mya's eyes went blank while feeling the unkempt stubble from his face scratch hers. With his cracked lips smothering her own, Mya reached a breaking point she wasn't capable of processing. All of it was just too much.
Using all the strength she could muster, Mya shoved Adam off her. Her hand quickly swiping across his left cheek with a solid sound of impact. The moment halted as if time laid stagnant. Mya was feeling her adrenaline flowing strongly down her spine, but the fear of the realization began to creep in. 'Oh no! Oh no!!' Quickly while Adam remained still in an attempt to understand, Mya turned and began running. She didn't have any destination in mind other than far away from Adam. Not even bothering to look behind, she found herself running back toward the library.
"S-someone…Someone help!! Help!" Her voice cracked during the frantic cries, her trembling eyes darted around desperate for a savior.
Walking slowly with her eyes on her phone, Vivian was making her way down the sidewalk heading to a friend's apartment. It was just as she reached the door that the distant scream from down the road found her ear.
"The hell?" She looked over toward the direction of the screams, peering at the poorly illuminated distance. Slowly moving into view, Mya continued her panicked escape. Vivian saw the far silhouette growing closer, till she caught a glimpse of the red tee with that white flower design. "No way, the newbie?" Vivian had no way of knowing what had happened, but just from hearing the screams she knew it was serious. "Hey!! Over here!!" She shouted out to Mya hoping to get her attention, however it seemed Mya had already spotted her before this.
Seeing her savior, she ran toward Vivian without the slightest hesitation. Anything to get away from Adam. Catching Mya at the door, Vivian pushed her in and followed behind before closing the door. "Come on!" Vivian ordered while taking hold of her hand. She practically dragged the fatigued Mya up a flight of stairs and then down a hallway. Reaching the door, Vivian took out a key from her pocket and opened it. The two girls took refuge inside the small apartment after Vivian locked the door behind them. Both girls faltered from the sudden burst of exercise, and Mya had actually collapsed against the wall.
Barely able to usher a thank you, Mya came to finally realize who it was that just saved her. She had so many questions reach the front of her mind, but they quickly faded away as her emotions caught up to her. Tears poured from her eyes in streaks, while her legs just couldn't support her anymore. Vivian caught her quickly before her knees reached the ground, embracing Mya while she cried in agonizing relief. As Vivian held her tight as if shielding Mya from the door, a sudden pounding shook the door. That sensation of safety faded fast from Mya while she gripped Vivian desperately.
"Maddison? I know that ya went in 'ere! Look I ain't mad, just worried about ya! Open the door and let's get ya home, ok? Maddie!!" Adams voice echoed through the corridor as neighbors began to come out to investigate the commotion. Vivian felt herself trembling and was confused, but only when she looked down did she realize why. Mya had clung to her as if her life depended on it. Her whole body was shaking so excessively, it felt like she was vibrating. Gently moving herself to a better position, Vivian sat back against the wall with Mya's head in her lap. Sliding her hand slowly over her head and softly running her fingers through her hair, Vivian began humming a lullaby. Her soothing melodic sound washed away the shouting just opposite the door. Mya had exhausted her last ounce of energy and fell into a deep sleep in the arms of a girl she had never met.
Adams frustrations subsided after some complaining residents shooed him off. 'Oh Maddie…we're meant to be together! Why can't ya just see that…' His delusional and misguided pursuit of Maddison was cut short for now, but his desire was still burning in his dark blue eyes.
Flashes of lighting running rampant among the clouds above illuminated the darkened landscape that stretched out in front of Mya's eyes. A world of black and white stared back at her, empty and suffocating. Slimy chains coiled around her ankles, ripping her feet out from under her while she was dragged down through the vacant abyss. The subtle hint of a sweet aroma caused the darkness to fade. A soft yellow hue peered through her squinting eyes and the aroma grew stronger.
The distant sound of sizzling, and the warm rhythm of a busy kitchen caught her attention and woke her up. Yet again Mya had awoken in a strangers bed, her eyes darted around only to ease after realizing it wasn't a man's room. Her mind slow to recall all that happened last night, focused instead on taking in the surroundings. A vibrant purple wall with several posters of voluptuous women in skimpy leather attire were the first things she noticed. Various shapes and sizes, but all equally beautiful in their own ways, Mya concluded. Her curiosity was peaked when she heard the sudden chime of a timer going off in the other room.
Upon further examination, Mya came across Vivian in nothing but an apron happily making breakfast. Taking notice of the shy witness, Vivian used her finger to call her over. Mya wasn't sure what she had expected, but it wasn't this. Walking over to Vivian cautiously, Mya stopped at the opposite side of the counter. "You hungry?" Vivian asked as she slid a plate covered with pancakes over towards Mya's hand that was on the counter. "Yeah…" She muttered with that awkward nervousness when you don't know what to say to someone. 'How do I keep getting myself into these situations…'