You & I: Summer Love

Chapter 15: Running Girl

That night, I am asleep comfortably in my bed, until I hear a weird noise. I sit bolt upright in bed. Trying to console myself, I tell myself it's just the house creaking. That was until I heard footsteps. My eyes widen in fear. someone was in my house?!? My eyes shoot over to the clock on my bedside table. Almost four in the morning. I think James brought me home sometime after two. There's someone in my house.

I slowly climb out of bed, not wanting to reveal my location. I creep to banister so I can look into the kitchen. My eyes strain to see what is happening. Faintly, I see a dark blob that looks like a human being. The figure had their back to me. They were dressed head-to-toe in black. The silhouette of the individual was burly and tall, definitely ruling out the possibility that this was a woman.

My breath catches in my throat.

The man turns around, and I slide back. I hear footsteps coming toward the stairs. I quickly and quietly crawl away, then stand-up and quietly run. Throwing open a closet door, I stuff myself in with the blankets. No sooner do I get into position, I hear heavy footsteps pass by my hiding space. The door opens, revealing the burglar. His flashlight sweeps over the blankets, lingering slightly on my location. My heart is beating rapidly, but I can't breathe. He reaches his hand toward me. I scream.

Jumping out, my would-be attacker stumbles back. I use my surprise outburst as a distraction and shove past them, fleeing down the stairs. I run to my front door, the intruder hot on my heels.

I bang on Nathan's door, hoping they come quickly. That's when he grabs me.

"Ahh!" I scream, trying to project my voice. I thrash my body around in an effort to get out of his grip, but it feels like iron.

"No. You're coming with me," his gruff voice spoke in my ear.

"Let go of me!"

He starts to walk away, me still in his arms, when the door of Nathan's house is thrown open. There, silhouetted against the hallway light, were my heros: James, Gabe, and Nathan.

"HELP!" I yell, which seems kind of unnecessary seen as they were already running toward us.

My attacker turns, shielding themself from the onslaught of people. A flying tackle knocks me out of his grip and crashing to the ground. I roll away, looking back toward what is going on. Nathan and Gabe tackled him. I feel a tug on my arm. I almost pull away when I hear James's voice.

"(Y/n). It's me."

I stop fighting and let him pull me up. We run toward Nathan's house, the others in tow. We sprint into the house and hide, Nathan and Gabe climbing into the attic, before helping James and I up. We sit there, close together, James's arms wrapped protectively around me. Nathan pulls out his phone and calls 911. He whispers quietly to the operator what is going on. Shortly after, he hangs up.

"They're coming," he whispers to us. Or, I think that's what he said. It was so quiet.

Sitting there in the dark, hearing him running through rooms, trying to find us, panic sets in. Thoughts like 'What if he finds us? Will he kill us? Will we survive I told the police get here?' James must have sensed my panic because he tightens his hold on me. He places kisses on the top of my head, my forehead, and my cheeks, always wiping away any tears that escape my eyes.

What feels like hours later, we hear police sirens outside. There seems to be a struggle. Probably that guy. I'm scared I'm going to hear gunshots. Soon, we nearest assume is a police officer.

"Hello! Is anyone in here?" I hear someone call. Panic seizes me once again. I think it's the robber trying to trick us which is irrational since I can hear the sailing of police sirens outside.

We wait a few seconds, scared for the same reasons. Nathan breaks the silence. "Here! In here!"

Soon pounding footsteps and sweeping flashlights fill the attic, illuminating the area we were hiding in. We slowly crawl out while they ask us if we are ok. We all are, despite being shaken up.

I guess they sent an ambulance as well because someone leads me outside and gives me a shock blanket. I sit there in the open back of the ambulance, blanket draped over my shaking shoulders, trying to process all that has happened. James comes up and crouches down so he can look me in the eyes.

"Do you want to sleep with us for the night?"

I continue to stare at the ground, still scared about what had happened. Though, I manage to nod my head. Once I have calmed down, the paramedics leave. We walk back to Nathan's house. It's now after five o'clock. Despite the early hour, we are all extremely tired still. Nathan stumbles off to his room, and Gabe stumbles off to a guest bedroom. James and I walk to the couch, a big yawn escaping my mouth. We lay down on the couch,my head resting on James's chest.

I try to sleep, but every creak of the house sends me into a panic again. When he sees I am having trouble sleeping, James whispers into my ear, "I won't let anything hurt you."

I smile at him in the darkness. With those comforting words, I try to drift off to sleep, and eventually do, being lulled by James's heartbeat and steady breathing.