private.

[align=center]Grateful, I ripped a single tissue from the box, and dried my eyes.
Hearing him speak about potential ex-girlfriends, I rolled my eyes. Not at him, but at the fact that I wish I knew.
"Before I married him, I had known him for only a few months. I never met his parents, much less known of an ex-girlfriend or wife."
Running my fingers through my hair, I gripped it at the scalp and turned back to face him. "At the moment, jail doesn't seem like such a terrible place, " I said in a negative tone, "But I'd much rather be able to take care of myself. I've got somewhere to stay."
I rubbed the burning sensation the had accumulated in my eyes.
"Is there something you'd like me to call you? Since you apparently know my name."

[align=center]"Alright, then. Better than the nickname I would've given you," I replied with a smirk. "But a lift back there would be nice, thanks." I followed him out of the room, and to his car.

The ride back to the hotel seemed to drag on forever, even though the total duration was only about fifteen minutes.
I stared out the window, my cranium compacted with thoughts.
They ranged from what I'd be eating for dinner tonight, to what my fate, jailwise would turn out to be.
When the car came to a stop, I wasted no time getting out of it. My bottom side was numb f from being forced to sit in a highly uncomfortable chair, and my legs needed to stretch.
Fumbling around in my jacket pockets, I retrieved my keys, and them into the lock located under the door handle, and pulled open the door.
Before taking my seat at the driver's side, I rested my hand stop the hood, and turned back to him.
"How do you suppose you'll know where to find me when you need me?"I asked, tilting my head a bit to one side, avoiding staring straight into the sun.

[align=center]"I suppose I could do that, " I said with a small shrug, reaching into my back pocket and opening it to a new contact, then handing it to him.
"But, I'm pretty positive that you don't need to worry about me. I'm smarter than you'd think, Lucian."
For the first time since I'd come into contact with him, I gave him a genuine smile.
"The only complication I know I'll eventually come across is money. But I'm capable of getting what I need."
After he had programmed his number into my phone, I slid it back into my pocket, and took a seat in my car.
"Get some rest; I'd imagine you were waiting in the parking lot for me for quite some time."
Rolling my window up, I removed a pair of sunglasses from the visor, and slid them over my face.
Pulling out of the parking lot, I raised my eyebrows in a quick motion as a 'goodbye.'

Setting the GPS into my phone, I located the nearest next motel that still had vacancy, and decided there.
The first thing I did when I arrived at my room was sprawl myself out over the bed, and give Lucian a call. I wouldn't be too excited for him to come looking for me again and bring me back there.
Surprisingly, it rang multiple times before the voicemail finally came into play. Rolling my eyes, I threw tossed the phone aside.
He'd been so adamant on me checking in, yet hadn't answered when I called. Oh well, not my fault.
I directed my eyes at the alarm clock beside my bed. 7:41 PM. The night was still young, and I wasn't planning on going to bed early. I supposed that not many people knew about the incident, considering I was a couple hundred miles away from where it had occured.
You'd think I would've still been emotionally and mentally scarred from the ordeal. I was the exact opposite; aside from earlier, this was the happiest I had been in there years. It hardly crossed my mind that I'd soon be dealing with possible life in prison.
Tonight, I was going to treat myself for once, instead of constantly worrying. Maybe I'd go have one of those 'fancy' drinks at a bar. I did just that.

--------------

I'd bought a new outfit for my night out tonight; a crimson colored, pencil dress, with some heels to match. My hair was up in a messy, yet cute bun.
But best of all, I had had the privaledge to shower since I had arrived in Hickory.
For the first time in what felt like forever, my self-esteem was at it's highest.

Pushing through the two, large glass doors of The Steel Grill, I noticed that the entire place was split in half; one part bar, the other a make-shift restaurant.
With a wide and confident grin, I took my seat at an empty stool, in between two men who seemed to be giving me 'friendly gestures.'

I had been getting along with the two men that I was sitting between fairly well. It was apparent that they had come here for the simple fact to meet girls, but still seemed utterly respectful.
I had let them buy me a few drinks, but I didn't take any past my limit; I had to be sober enough to drive myself back to the hotel that I was staying at.
Excusing myself for a few moments, I took my my purse, and brought it to the lavatory with me.
Setting my purse on the sink, I dug through it to retrieve my cellphone, and opening it to a missed call from Lucian, I shrugged. Even though he had wanted to help me through my ordeal, there were still parts of him I couldn't stand.
Acknowledging his attempt to reach me, I sent an already-programmed-in quick text to him.
Hey, can't talk right now. Busy.
Checking my makeup, hair, and whatever else one last time in the mirror, I walked back out afterwards.
Taking my seat back on the stool and my purse under it, I spoke:
"Sorry, had to answer a call."
Taking a sip of my drink, I noticed that it had a slightly metallic tinge to it, but I didn't take as much thought to it as I probably should have.
Still, I continued to talk to the both of them, but had started to realize that something was wrong with me- my head hurt, my words were slurred, and I felt so weak that I felt as though I'd pass out at any moment.
Not soon after, I came to terms with what was going on. Those assholes.
"I'm sorry... I...have to leave. I think I'm getting.. Sick."
I noticed one of them stood up as if he was legitimately worried about me.
"Are you alright? I think you've had too much to drink. Maybe I should take you home..."
"No! I mean... I uh... I have someone coming to pick me up..."
He had attempted to press the matter further, but I ignored him.
Sliding off the seat, I nearly fell completely to the floor, but kept my balance. Clutching my purse tightly in one hand, I stumbled through the front door.
I had to get to my car. I feared that I didn't have much time before whatever they spiked my drink with, would take it's full effect.
Squinting out to the dark parking lot, I spied my car; it seemed so far away...
I took my shoes off, and carried them in my hands. Making my was slowly across the asphault, I unlocked my car, climbing into the passenger seat, and making sure that I had locked it behind me. Within literally two minutes, I had completely blacked out.

I couldn't open my eyes. That, or they were open, but I couldn't see a single thing; only darkness. My voice couldn't be put into words either; everytime I had spoken, calling out for help, (which was incredibly stupid of me, considering I had my doors locked, and my windows rolled up) it came out as nothing more than a soft whine or groan.
Although, when my phone started ringing, it made me realize that even though it sounded distant, I could still hear. It must've also been what had half-woken me up.
With that, I hadn't even known that my arm was moving until I felt it grip my phone, and once I did get a hold of it, I gripped it as tight as I could, having it take every ounce of strength I had just to lift the phone to my face. Blankly, I pressed my finger to the screen, hoping that by some chance, I'd hit the call button.
When my phone went silent, and I could hear a quick moment of static through the other line, I attempted to speak. Once again, I was shot down.
"Meggghh..."
Even speaking took my breath away.
I wasn't even able to wait for a response. My consciousness was coming in cycles, and my body had decided it was tired again. You know, putting a phone to your ear takes a lot out of you, apparently.
My phone slid through my fingers, and flattered onto the floorboard.
Doubling over, my body sprawled itself out over my middle leather compartment, and the PRNDL station.

Sprinting over rocks, foliage, and whatever else might have been in my way, I was focused on only one thing; not stopping. Its seemed as though I'd been running and tripping for hours, although I never grew tired, and the slashes on my arms, legs, and face from stray branches didn't sting.
My body was covered in dirt, and leaves stuck wildly throughout my hair. Who knows how long I had been out there.
What scared me the most wasn't the fact that I didn't know where I was, or that my surroundings were pitch black, with the exception of the moonlight. It was the fact that no matter how fast and long I kept my pace up for, I could hear his voice echoing all around me, excelling in volume every passing minute.
I kept moving, determined to have my freedom.
Finally, I was cut short by lack of ground, and a large expansion of air; I was standing at the edge of the cliff.
His voice still rang, pounding in my ears.
Staring below me, jagged rocks pointed upwards, waves crashing against the wall of earth. All of it seemed so.... inviting.
I chose my own fate, not him. I decided how I died, he didn't.
"I've got you now, you little-"
Shane's voice thundered right into my back, but he was too late. He wasn't going tonhurt me anymore.
Without hesitation, I flug my body over the edge.
Then, something else happended.

Dizzying myself due to the sudden, quick motion, I sat right up. A small yelp was all that escaped my lips. Usually, I woke up screaming. I guess I preferred this more.
Fortunately I was wide awake by this time. I assumed I had been asleep for many more hours.
I stared at the wall across the room. Wait a minute. Where the hell was I?

Being so confused by every little sight around me, I hardly noticed Lucian at the doorway until he spoke. Whipping my head over to look at him, my face read an expression that said, Oh, I totally expected you to be here. Not.
When he mentioned that he found me in parking lot, I was stunned.
I wrinkled my nose, and looked at him as though he was insane.
Although, come to think of it, I didn't remember leaving the bar last night.
I shook my head, speaking in disbelief.
"Wait, wait, wait. A parking lot? What the- What the hell was I doing in a parking lot?"
I glanced downwards, trying to recall what had happened last night. Then, something even more puzzling came to mind.
"How did you even find me? Did you bring me here? And I was nearly dead? I don't feel dead..."
I was speaking so fast, I could barely process my words.
And... He'd brought me to his house. Where had he slept? I assumed that this was his bed. I also assumed that he hadn't decided to make me his 'cuddle partner' either.
But I didn't question him on those last few thoughts.

With a grateful nod, I took the glass and sipped it slowly.
Taking in his words, my expression was as hard as stone. This was a lot for me to take in, considering I had no memory of any of it.
When he mentioned the roofie part, I rolled my eyes, and let out a huff.
"Well, they seemed nice at the time. I guess people can easily fool you. Jerks."
Since he had told me of him bringing me here, I presumed that my car was still sitting at the bar.
I was silent for a few more moments, glancing about the room; then I spoke again.
"But, uh, thanks. For helping me."
I tilted my head slightly, looking up at him more, to meet his gaze directly, a questionable look on my face.
"Why did you coming looking for me, anyway?"

When he had stopped himself from finishing his sentence, and abruptly changing the subject, my eyes narrowed. That had to be one of my biggest pet peeves; I hated being cut off. But, I didn't question it. Although, I was grateful that he had found me. I would've rathered it be him than another cop- or worse.
Him giving me the option to stay or leave, I seriously considered just going back to sleep; I didn't particularly want to go out and brave the world again for quite some time. Although, his next statement grabbed my full attention.
"You what?"
Crawling on my hands and knees to the end of the bed, I slid off and followed right behind him.
"Why in hell did you do that, Lucian? It's in the shop? Do you realize that I am low on money as it is, and now I have to pay for the window to be repaired? Awesome."
Frustrated, I ran my hands through my hair to the end of my bun and let them hang there.