TRIP TO...
"Done packing?" said Lexi. I was on a call with her, as she was still staying at Lia's place because I insisted.
"Yeah, what about you?" I asked.
"I'm still thinking if I should pack hot or cute," she replied.
"We're going to a beach anyway, so pick hot."
"For that, I need to come over," she replied lazily.
"How about I just pack it for you?" I suggested.
"You will?" she asked eagerly.
"Yeah, I would do anything to keep you out of danger," I reassured her.
"Well, such a good sister you are. Ironic. Anyways, I will text you which clothes to pack."
"Okay then," I said, ending the call. As soon as I hung up with Lexi, I received another call, this time from Liv.
"Hey there, done packing?" Liv asked.
"Yeah, I'm done. Now I'm onto packing for Lexi since I forbade her to come here. I told her I would pack for her," I explained.
"Oh my, that would be a hassle. Lexi never settles on one thing," Liv chuckled.
"I know, but she said she would text me which outfits she wants," I said.
"How about I help you?" Liv offered.
"How about I refuse?" I countered.
"Oh come on, Lex. I'm craving you," Liv teased.
"I know, Liv, I am too. But I can't risk your life," I insisted.
"You won't risk it. I'll come over for an hour, help you pack, and then leave," Liv proposed.
"Okay then, if you say so," I relented.
"Okay then, open your front door," she said.
"Huh? My front door? Don't tell me you're already here! Do you know the risk? You're here at night! I don't know about you, Liv, but I would not appreciate it if something happened to you," I expressed my concern.
"Oh, come on, don't be a coward. Nothing will happen to me. I'm in martial arts, remember?" Liv reassured me.
"Nope, you never told me about it," I replied.
"Oops, my bad. Now open the door, I'm tired," Liv said.
I quickly ran downstairs and opened the door. There stood Liv with a bouquet of roses in her hand. She came in, and without wasting a moment, we locked lips in a passionate kiss. After a moment, we broke off the kiss, laughing as we looked at each other. I took the roses from her hand and placed them in a vase.
"See? You missed me too," Liv teased.
"I do miss you, but I wouldn't like putting you in danger. Safety before needs," I insisted.
"Hey, come on, chill. Besides, I know martial arts. I was a national state champion before I couldn't play," Liv shared.
"Mind if I ask why you couldn't play?" I inquired.
"No, not at all. It was my parents. They said sports wouldn't have a great outcome in life, so I stopped and focused on studies," Liv explained.
"Oh my, I'm so sorry," I sympathized.
"Don't be. I hated those pre-workout sessions, though I miss it sometimes," Liv reflected.
We both headed to Lexi's room where she texted me a bunch of outfits. We began packing and chatted about various things as we worked. After what felt like an eternity but was just an hour, we finished. It was now 11 PM.
"It's too late, and with the stalker lurking around the corner, I wouldn't like to let you go home alone. So... I know this is against the rules, but can you stay?" I asked Liv.
"Of course, I will," Liv smiled.
We planned to watch a movie and settled on Titanic after debating for a while. We both agreed that Jack could have survived. After the movie, we decided to go to sleep. It was a stormy night with thunder and lightning, and I was scared to sleep alone. I gladly offered Liv to sleep with me. It was already late, and we had to leave by noon the next day.
As morning light filtered through the curtains, I woke with a start, momentarily disoriented before memories of the previous night flooded back. Beside me, Liv stirred awake, her presence a reassuring anchor in the stillness of the early hours.
"Good morning," she greeted with a yawn, blinking sleepily.
"Morning," I replied softly, a mixture of relief and apprehension swirling in my chest. "We should get ready soon."
Despite the calm facade, my mind raced with thoughts of the looming trip. It was meant to be a break from the relentless pressure of recent events—a chance to unwind with friends amid the uncertainty that had plagued us all.
We gathered our things quietly, trying not to disturb the fragile peace of the moment. The storm from the previous night had passed, leaving behind a damp freshness in the air. I glanced out the window, half-expecting shadows to move in the early morning light.
"Are you okay?" Liv's voice broke through my reverie, concern etched on her face.
"Yeah," I answered, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "Just thinking about everything."
Liv nodded knowingly, her gaze steady and understanding. "We'll be okay," she reassured me, a quiet strength in her words.
Together, we stepped outside, the world awakening around us with the promise of a new day. The street was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of our lives recently. We walked in silence, each lost in our thoughts yet finding comfort in each other's presence.
As we reached the end of the street, I stole a glance back at the house hoping everything would be the same when I returned just hoping that the stalker disappear.
Ahead lay the unknown—the trip, the friends, and the respite we sought. But beneath the surface, I knew the shadows of the past still lingered, waiting to resurface at any moment.
"We'll figure it out," Liv said, breaking the silence as if reading my thoughts. Her hand found mine, squeezing gently as if to anchor us both in the present.
With a nod, I tightened my grip on her hand, drawing strength from the simple gesture. "Yeah," I agreed quietly. "Together."
As Liv and I stood in the deserted parking lot, our hearts sank with each passing moment of solitude. The absence of our friends weighed heavily on us, casting a shadow of uncertainty over our plans.
"They should have been here," Liv muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, unable to shake the sinking feeling in my chest. "I don't understand. They knew we were coming."
Just then, a distant sound broke the silence—a faint rumble growing steadily louder. We turned towards the noise to see a convoy of vehicles approaching from the opposite end of the lot. Relief washed over me momentarily, thinking it was our friends finally arriving.
But as the vehicles drew closer, my heart plummeted. These were not our friends' cars. They were sleek, black SUVs with tinted windows—a stark contrast to the familiar vehicles we had expected.
"Liv," I said, gripping her arm, "this isn't right."
She followed my gaze, her expression hardening with realization. "Who are they?"
Before I could reply, the SUVs came to a stop, and several figures stepped out, their movements deliberate and synchronized. They weren't here for a casual gathering—they were here with purpose.
"We've been compromised," I said quietly, my voice tinged with fear.
Liv glanced at me, her eyes wide with apprehension. "What do we do?"
Panic surged through me as I scanned the perimeter for any means of escape. The strangers were closing in, blocking any route that didn't lead directly towards them.
"We have to run," I said, my voice urgent. "Now!"
Grabbing Liv's hand, we sprinted towards the nearest cover, our hearts pounding with each desperate step. Behind us, I could hear shouts and the sound of boots hitting the pavement in pursuit. Adrenaline fueled our flight as we weaved through the maze of parked cars, seeking any advantage in our race against the unknown threat.
As we reached the far edge of the lot, uncertainty loomed before us. With nowhere left to hide and our enemies closing in, we faced a daunting choice—fight or flight, with no guarantee of survival.
"Stay close," I whispered to Liv, steeling myself for whatever came next. Together, we prepared to confront the danger head-on, our future hanging in the balance as we braced for the inevitable confrontation.
The strangers closed in, their intentions still unclear but their presence menacing. Liv squeezed my hand tightly, our eyes locking in silent determination. Whatever happened next, we would face it together, united in our resolve to protect each other against the unknown threat closing in around us...