(Orion Ligh)
In all honesty, I'm scared. I just left my jewel with my dad. I can't believe I'm going to be traveling with him in the same car. This is just a recipe for disaster, which, in all honesty, is my fault, for our small encounters. I need to act like the grown-up that I am. Just then, I get a text from an unknown number.
What's your address? I'm going to pick you up.
Who's this???
It's Colton. Now will you hurry up🤦🏻♂️.
Okay, well in that case, it's 128 Fresit, Arnes, MN.
How did he even get my phone number? I was told someone would come pick me up, I didn't know it would be him. I just know we were supposed to be traveling together. Shit!! I just gave him my address, now he'll know where I live. Well, the guards will give him a hard time at the entrance, this place being an estate area after all. Picking up my travelling suitcase I head for the door. While closing my door I hear a deep voice behind me, it makes me stop pulling my suitcase.
"Is this where you live?" I turned around to see Colton leaning casually against his Jeep Wrangler. The vehicle loomed large and powerful, a striking contrast to the vibrant green of summer that surrounded us. Its iconic seven-slot grille, now a deep, menacing black, seemed to snarl at the world, while the oversized tires whispered ominously as they rolled over the sun-drenched asphalt. I glanced back at my house — modest yet charming in its own way — and hesitated before responding. "It's... well, it's okay, I suppose, especially for a gated community like this." To my surprise, Colton's expression showed genuine approval as he surveyed my home, a spark of appreciation flickering in his eyes.
"Hunh? sure." Walking up the pavement towards him and his car, I couldn't help but keep staring at his car. As if on cue, he takes my bag from me opens the backseat door, and puts it there. He then goes round to the driver's seat. Was he nice just now, maybe I might've jumped to conclusions about this trip.
I thought he'd have a chauffeur but this, this is a big contrast considering who he is, so he isn't a stuck-up after all.
"Are you waiting for an invitation to get in? We have a long week ahead of us."
"Sorry, it's just this is my first time in a Wrangler. I like my mini Cooper but big cars are just different." Opening the passenger seat, I'm immediately attacked by the new leather smell, with a hint of cedar, it was raw yet captivating at the same time. Settling into the seat it felt like I belonged here, it offered a calming embrace.
"Don't get too comfortable, and please fasten your seatbelt." Looking at Colton I couldn't help but notice the slight smug look on his face. His voice wasn't that of reprimand but it just felt like it was natural, not uptight either but it was still deep it was intoxicating.
The drive was uneventful, we each kept to our own devices, except, when I had to put on my music in his car, he just scoffed at my music taste. I mostly just rolled down the window and became my main character, staring into the unknown. He kept staring at me when he thought I wasn't looking. Which I found weird. This drive is too long.
"Are we there yet?" I asked.
"Well, we aren't there yet? But we are somewhat somewhere close I'd like to think." Sitting upright and looking at him, somethings off. Not the good kind of.
"What do you mean?" I ask again dread creeping me up.
"We are on the track to our destination just not on the right track to our destination," he smiles politely, rubbing the back of his neck, "I....I....well wanted to tell you but you seemed to be enjoying the scenery so I just assumed you knew where we were going."
"Please don't tell me we are lost." Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. Looking at him again. This hunk of a man doesn't know how to read directions and got us lost. "Have you checked the GPS, maybe you overlooked something."
He immediately replies, "Yeah I did the problem is, it's the longest route. We only need to find a filling station. And well that's also about another mile unless we take a detour. Is that okay with you?" Sighing I just nod, I mean what else am I supposed to do, teleport us there?
"Are you planning on kidnapping me?" I ask him because this is a dirt road we are driving through.
"Why would I kidnap you?" He replies.
"There's nothing on this road except dirt and...." I don't get to finish what I was saying when we get stuck in a ditch, perfect just perfect.
"I'm going to check," he looks at me then continues, "Don't leave the car." He can see the fear on my face, am also pretty sure he can smell it too, okay maybe I'm exaggerating.
"Can you try to start the car!" He shouts from the back of the car. Moving onto the driver seat I try starting the car. I try but we are still stuck in the ditch.
"Aah fuck!!" He shouts again not before I hear a thud. Stepping out of the car I can't help but laugh.
" Don't you dare! " He warns but it's too funny he's covered in mud I mean he isn't in a suit but in casual wear but still he's covered in mud. This is meme-worthy I take out my phone to take a picture, and that's when I notice we don't have any reception.
""As I climb back into the car, a wave of frustration washes over me at his sharp tone. 'Get in the car and let's try again!' he barks, his deep voice laced with irritation. I can't help but feel the weight of his anger pressing down on me; it has an inexplicable effect that makes my heart race.
Determined to push through, I grip the steering wheel tightly and press down on the gas pedal. The engine roars to life, and the car lurches forward, finally moving after what felt like an eternity of hesitation. But just as I think I have it under control, disaster strikes. The vehicle veers off course and slams into a tree, the impact jarring me violently in my seat.
In an instant, the airbag deploys, enveloping me in a protective cushion. But even with the airbag's safety features, the sting from the collision reverberates through my body, reminiscent of the sharp pain one feels when a pinky toe strikes a doorframe or a table leg. I wince, trying to shake off the disorientation.
Suddenly, the car door is yanked open with a force that surprises me, and strong arms wrap around my waist, lifting me effortlessly from my seat. I'm gently set down on the dry, cracked ground, the earth solid beneath me contrasting with the chaos of moments before. He kneels beside me, concern etched deeply across his face, his brow furrowed and eyes wide with worry. It's a look that softens the grip of his earlier frustration, and I can see the genuine concern flickering in his gaze as he checks to see if I'm okay.
"Look at me! Are you hurt anywhere?" His voice trembles with urgency and concern, and I can see the tension in his posture as he leans closer. His eyes search mine, desperate for a response, but his expression remains a mix of worry and confusion that I can't quite interpret yet. The words spill out in a rush, filled with an intensity that makes my heart race. "Please, just tell me are you okay?
"I'm...okay I think." He lets out a deep breath and looks around his hand stroking his hair backwards.
"What were you thinking? You could have gotten hurt! Were you not taught how to drive a car." I stiffen at his outburst. I'm not used to being shouted at I can't deal with it. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. Standing, I try to walk only to end up bumping into him and sliding in the mud. Could this day get worse as if the universe is listening?
We spot the gas tank leaking. Just great. We decide to leave the car and walk to the filling station. Although it's a bit far.
"Are you sure you can walk? Don't worry about the luggage, I'll get someone at the hotel to bring them to us." He reassures me but mostly I think he's just reassuring himself.
Further along the road, we spot a small vineyard.
"Maybe they have a phone we can call someone to come pick us up," just then his stomach rumbles, "and maybe get something to eat it's an afternoon after all." Looking at him I notice a trace of fear on his face before he masks it for some reason. Not sure what that's all about.
Upon entering the small vineyard we find no one and certainly no cellphone to make a phone call but what we do find Is water, we need to get the mud off ourselves. Turning the tap on, I take the hose point it at him, and spray it. He curses but still lets me hose him down. Next, it's my turn. He just smirks at me and takes the hose.
"Please don't kill me." I practically beg him.
"I can't promise anything ." He just deadpans and hoses me down as if am some kind of criminal.
"You....I....am clean!" He just laughs, his laughter is mesmerizing it's the first time I've heard him laugh, and it's a good look on him. What?? Shaking my head I watch as he goes and turns off the tap.
I turn and head for the vineyard, technically it isn't stealing if there's no one here to see it, and am hungry.
"That's theft," He shakes his head and goes for his pocket takes out money, and ties it to the tap, "at least have some dignity while stealing won't you."
I could argue but my mouth was full of blueberries my favorite. He then joins me. I just smile at him and he gives me this weird look I can't decipher.
"We should continue walking, I don't want it to get late. We are in a foreign place, we also need a doctor to check you out." He turns to tell me, I can't help but notice concern etched on his face.