Page 62 of Mara
“Jinx,” I hollered behind him, trying to catch up. “So chivalrous to just leave me on the ground, you dickhead!”
I couldn’t hear him, but I imagined he was laughing in response to my squawking.
He was about six feet ahead of me, and suddenly a car parked behind his motorcycle, lighting up the black suede color with bright, beaming headlights.
I squinted, not understanding who would be out here at this time of night, and why they would magically pop up now.
Jinx kept walking, unfazed, unlike me.
I was wary of whoever the fuck was in the driver’s seat. I couldn’t see any markings or the color of the car, just the blinding lights.
Jinx got to his bike and threw his jacket and helmet on. I was still a bit behind.
The car door opened, and a dark silhouette got out. The passenger door opened afterward, and two figures walked over to where Jinx stood.
Oh God. Who the fuck are these people?
“Jinx?” I called, hoping he would turn around and come to where I was.
I was naked and trying to stay hidden in the shadowed area of the trees out of the strangers’ view.
Jinx held up his hand, with one finger visible in the light, the other hand dropping. He was facing the people, but I knew he was signaling to me.
I stopped walking and stayed hidden behind a tree, watching the scene play out before my eyes.
The two strangers came into view, lit by the car’s headlights. It was two guys, both wearing police uniforms.
There was a conversation going on, but it sounded like warped hums to me. Growling in frustration, I continued to watch.
Jinx dropped something, the lightning reflecting off before it hit the ground. He proceeded to lift both hands above his head.
The two officers were shouting, drawing their guns, and aiming them at Jinx.
Was he being arrested?
One of the cops grabbed Jinx and slammed him against the front of the car. The shadows danced on the ground.
I tried to go closer, keeping to the trees and listening as best I could to the voices.
The two officers were shouting angrily at him. Jinx didn’t say a word. When handcuffs came out and clipped over Jinx’s arms, I froze.
No, what are they doing?
I tried running, but the men were already hauling Jinx into the back of the black SUV, not even seeing me or hearing my voice over the storm.
“Wait. Stop,” I screamed.
It was too late. The car doors closed, and the headlights backed away before speeding off. I tried to catch my breath, reaching down to grab my discarded clothes at the foot of the motorcycle. There wasn’t anyone here. I was alone in the freezing storm.
I rubbed my arms and remembered Jinx had dropped something.
I followed the footsteps in the mud and saw the glittering metal on the ground where he had stood.
“Keys.”
Jinx left me his keys to the motorcycle. He wanted me to be able to get out of here.
He was protecting me.
