Page 2 of Midnight
I'veneverbeenina cop car and when I saw him pull up a few minutes ago, I thought for sure I was going to end my night in the back of a police car.
"I will protect you," he tells me.It’s as if he can sense my nerves are kicking up the longer that we drive towards his house.
"What's your name?"I ask, pretty sure this is something I should have found out before I agreed to live with this man.
"You can call me Nate."He says with a smile.
He keeps his eyes on the road which gives me a chance to study him for a moment.I’ve always thought I was a decent judge of character and I believe him when he says that he will protect me.At least he believes he will, I guess only time will tell.
We pull up to his place, and he helps me inside before locking the door behind us.
"I want to be very open and honest with you.I should be taking you down to the station, but they would just send you back to whatever situation you're running from.If we wait a few days, then you have the choice."
"I understand.I've just been counting down the days as well.Though I never expected how hard it would be to get a job without an address."I tell him while looking around his apartment.
It's pretty basic and not really decorated.There’s only one picture in the living room of him and what looks to be his parents and possibly a brother and sister.
"Are you in school?"he asks.
"No, I'm too stupid for school."I reply with the phrase that I've heard over and over and over.
In an instant, his mood shifts.Anger flashes across his face and I instantly know I said the wrong thing.Backing up to put some space between us, I find my back is hitting the wall.Immediately, I look around for an exit, but he is standing between me and the door.
So, I slide down the wall, wrapping my arms around my legs, trying to make myself as small as possible.
"Fucking hell."He whispers just loud enough that I can hear him.Shaking his head, he looks down at the ground with his hands on his hips.
Though he still has his uniform on, somewhere along the line he's taken his belt off that has his gun and handcuffs and everything that was around his waist earlier.When he looks up, his face is calm again.
"I'm not mad at you.I’m angry at whoever made you think you are not intelligent."He shakes his head."Come on let's get you settled."
Then he picks up my bag and heads down the hallway.
Nate
Whoever made this sweet girl believe she was too stupid for anything is going to pay.I don't care if it was a parent, sibling, friend, guardian, or teacher, they will pay.
When I get to the door of the guest room, I turn, finding her standing in the hallway.
"Since you aren't eighteen yet, you have to stay in the house until your birthday.It’s just to be cautious and to keep you safe, okay?"I stress this because the thought of anyone taking this girl from me sends me into panic mode.
"I understand," she agrees.
Sitting her bag down on the bed, I make a silent vow that I would show her that she can do anything she puts her mind to.
"Wait here.Let me grab you some dry clothes."I tell her, going into my room.
Any of my clothes are going to be huge on her, but something dry is better than any of her wet items that she has on.Then I grab a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, a pair of sweatpants, and a pair of socks.
Even though I’ve already turned the heat up, I want to make sure she has clothes that she can put on so that she stays warm.Grabbing a few towels, I go back to the guest room and put it all in the bed for her.
"Use the bathroom in my room, and any of the stuff that you need.Next time I’m out, I’ll pick up whatever else you need.Use what you want to take a shower and get into some dry clothes.We'll wash and dry all of your clothes.Do you have anything other than what you have on?"
She nods, opens her bag and pulls out a few clothes.It's not much, but just like I thought, they're all soaked as well.
"Okay, we'll get all this dry for you.Go shower.Take as long as you need and when you come out, we'll get you some food."
"Thank you," she says quietly.Then, taking the clothes and towels I laid out for her, she heads to the bathroom, and closes the door behind her.
