BENEATH TWISTED HEARTS - Lies Doubt and Obsession

The alley was quiet but, the gentle breeze soothed and cozied me.

I put on my headset listening to "Break My Heart" by Ella Mai. It was funny how I enjoyed romantic songs and movies, but as a person it never interested me.

The alley was dry, and no one was seen. Just then, pang...pang...pang.

I stopped for a moment. It was a gun shot.

For a moment I refused to let it bother me. My steps were firm and sturdy. Whatever happened was not my business.

The gun shots intensified.

I reduced the volume of my music but, I kept walking. I never let things that weren't my business faze me.

However, I felt someone run past me but, I wasn't sure.

I stared into the distance the figure had disappeared into, but no one was in sight.

I quickened my foot step.

Suddenly, a firm hand grasped onto me.

I froze.

The hand was cold and strong.

"Help me," He said in a whisper. I tried to remove his hands but, he stared down at his other hand.

It was a gun.

Cold sweat ran down my spine.

"How can I help you?" I stuttered.

What if he pulled the trigger? God ooh no I didn't want to die.

I closed my eyes tightly.

His other hand was covered in blood. He was bleeding from his belly.

Goodness gracious, "what have I done?" I mumbled.

He stretched out his gun. "What did you say I should do?" Fear grips me. "Take me with you." The words he said rang like a bell in my ears, "How do you mean." My heartbeat quickening. "I mean your house." He said hoarsely. I didn't ask anymore questions. I held onto his hand and led him to my apartment.

What crime have I committed? I thought. Hand in hand we walked into my apartment. I loved my room clean and in order.

He removed his face cap and tossed it onto the couch. I wanted to tell him not to do that however, my life was still hanging on a thread.

Having mysophobia was already killing me but, what if he shoots me?

I gently picked it up and threw it into the bin. I ran into my room.

My heart closed just like the door did.

I stood there wondering what just happened. "Did I just bring a stranger into my house?" I didn't understand, but I had no choice.

I went to my bedside and, picked up a first aid box and, exited the room.

Slowly, I walked over to him.

My hands trembling. "Let me help you dress your wound" I said, trying to compose.

He stared at my face then to my hand and, waved his hand gesturing for me to come closer.

"Make sure not to do anything silly" He muttered, his gaze fascinated on the box.

I bent over and, helped him undress. My hands trembling.

Looking at his well formed abs I couldn't help but swallow hard.

His body was freakishly good looking.

I gasped.

I could feel his gaze glued on my face.

"You like what you see?," He teased coldly.

I called my thoughts in order. I didn't reply to his remark.

He watched my every action until, I was done dressing his wound. It was a stab not too deep, but I assumed he must have lost a lot of blood.

As soon as, I was done dressing his wound; I stood up to leave but, he stopped me.

"Because you have helped me, I won't kill you yet" I knew that voice, that demonic voice. Those from dark romance dramas.

"Thanks," I said and I hurried into my room. My heart almost jumped from its rip cage.

Just then, I had a loud bang.

He was banging of the door

My heartbeat quickened.

"What are you doing inside there? Are you calling the police?" His voice pierced the whole place.

I froze.

"Who did I bring into my house?" my body trembled, cold sweat ran down my body.

"Open this door" he said, his voice devoid of any warmth.

I didn't dare open the door, I couldn't. My hand gently clung to the door handle. Should I open it, should I not? My heart raced.

My life become more and more chaotic, ever since Jude arrived. Everything in my life has turned upside down.

We ate together, although we didn't talk much but the bond between us had grown stronger.

So to say, he was no longer as cold as he was three months ago.

Just like the first day I had brought him home, his constant scary remarks made me stay on my toes every time.

His grey eyes carved on my face, "I already promised not to hurt you" he paused a sometimes "Even if you called the police It won't be of any help," He had said.

I had to open the door and pray day and night he wouldn't kill me.

The three months together has really changed a lot. I never thought we would be close, but fate always has its way.

I heard a loud knock on the door. I knew it was him. That's how he knocked on the door.

I quit what I was doing and hurried to the door. He hated it when I wasted time before opening the door.

This guy has wrecked my life. Not only has he refused to go back to his people, he has made living in my apartment uncomfortable.

I dragged myself to the door.

Jude's hand was clipped onto a short knife, as he walked inside.

My breath halted and I smouldered. He stopped. Scanning me from head to toe.

I stared at the blade in his hand. It was covered in blood. A devilish smile creased his face.

Gosh. I moved away from him.

"Don't move," he said. I stood there frozen. My heart thumped louder.

He stood before me. His hand gently rubbed the knife. He crouched closer; his face frowning. The edges of his eyebrows itched together.

I smelled blood. I thought it was the blade, but then I realized he was bleeding. " You are injured?" I questioned.

He smiled. "Was he smiling?"

He held my hand, dragging me closer.

I stared at him in horror, "If I die, I will take you with me," he said cheekily.

I took a step back, but he dragged me closer.

Reluctantly, I took him to the couch and helped him undress. What was the deal with this guy? I had thought. Why was he covered in blood again?.

His constant returning home covered in blood and wounds was becoming alarming.

He was too dangerous to be around me. Quietly, without asking any questions; I treated his wound.

He watched all my movements, his face slightly frowned "I can tell you have so many questions to ask" he said, staring at my face.

I didn't say anything, nor did I want to say anything.

After I was done dressing his wound I left there to my room.

He followed me.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"To keep you checked," he said grinning. I scoffed.

"I won't call the cops on you" I said but he wasn't buying it.

Looking back to the Dangerous day I met him. My heart grew heavy with fear.

But that was far from what lay ahead. Many things were about to happen.

Things I couldn't see, things I couldn't fathom but I could feel it.

He followed me into the bed. I watched his every move.

His eyes glued on my face, every of his actions made me wonder if he had any sense of propriety.

I hoped he wouldn't do anything.

Just like that, we shared the bed.

Things took a new turn, was it a scheme or coincidence?

We shared the room from that day onwards.

Undoubtedly, I had started to see Jude in a new light. No longer just as a street thug. First and foremost he treated me better not with contempt any longer.

If I had known that fate was in one's hand, I could never have prayed for Jude.

He was already fast asleep. Looking at his dangerous handsome face which looked harmless, I couldn't understand why such a handsome man lived a dangerous life.

A normal person wouldn't sleep so soundly with such a deep cut but he does.

"Who was he? What does he want?."

I watched the crazy Jude lying quietly on the bed. He nearly traumatized me the day before.

I picked up my school bag and notebook ready; to depart. Jude's voice roared. "Wait, I will drop you off at school."

I stared at him surprised, "Why would you do that?" I questioned not understanding why he was suddenly nice.

"I have some business within your school area... so dropping you wouldn't be a bad idea" he said, dressing up.

I couldn't afford his favor, so I rejected his help immediately but that provoked him.

"You don't get to say no to me," he said and picked up his keys.

I had no choice but to comply.

He put on his helmet and gave me one. I held onto his waist and we drove off.

In five minutes we arrived.

He drove away, not even giving me the chance to say a thank you.

I didn't overthink it; he was an asshole. I didn't want anything more to do with him. Was that even possible? I wondered what his mission in my life was.

I walked into the hall.

After school, I arrived home just like usual. He wasn't around. There was peace and quiet just the way I loved it. No interference, no Jude. Just me and me alone.

I wondered how good my life would have been without him. But yet, I still couldn't imagine living without him.

I feared him, but he gave me a sense of security.

I sat down there watching the TV, hoping for his return but Jude never returned.

The day passed by then another day. It was a week.

I still hoped and waited for his return. But Jude never came back.

I was already used to living with him, 'A Stranger I grew fond of.'

My life continued as usual but it was never the same.

Even when walking on the street, I hoped to see his face. Sometimes I hoped the scene where we met could happen again.

It's crazy right? but I couldn't help it. He left with a part of me. I missed him, his presence and his constant teasing.

My life continued just like that, only Gracias no more Jude or a strange suspicious man.

Going through my books, I saw a drawing.

A picture of me tagged A002. A smile creased my face. "He drew this?" I asked but no one was there to answer me.

It bothered me, I couldn't hear from him. I hoped he was still alive so we could meet another day.

I spent most of my day drawing and writing to him. Letters that were never sent.

Only I knew the content, I filled them with memories and events that might seem silly but they were what made us.

Days passed, weeks passed and months, Jude didn't return. I guessed it was over. It pained me that I could never see his dangerous handsome face.

If there was ever a chance to meet again, I hoped to have a taste of his lips. I don't know but I wanted to kiss his lips, it looked so good. Even if I had to steal it, I wanted it.

I was gradually forgetting what my days without Jude was like. Even the tiniest moment alone felt suffocating.

He was really dangerous for me. I needed to forget him.

Lucy noticed my change in moods and speeches, she assumed I was in love but if I told her the story of how I met Jude, and what he was like. She'd absolutely help look for solutions to forget him.

I didn't tell her I refused to tell her.

I walked back that day.

At the alley, I saw a figure.

"Jude?" I called and he turned his back. It wasn't Jude but who was he? Jude never smiled like that. Then who was he if not Jude?