The Fall

"Your love took me to new heights.

While your hate threw me from where there was no respite.

Yet I stood up , not giving up this fight.

Because the heart which learned to love you, was first a trainee of mine.

And my own reflection?

The first love of my life.

- Vivian

( by suzangill©)

.....................................................

Present

" What do you mean by you dropped her here?"

"How can you leave a girl alone on this deserted road!"

I screamed at the old man, the very taxi driver who brought Vivian here.

My anxiousness coming out in form of frustration.

"I understand your concern Sit. But the girl was persistent. She wanted to reach some place urgently and she didn't wait for help"

I run my hand through my hair. Thinking about the worst case scenario.

I drove along the entire 10 mile stretch till FE Financers head office but I couldn't find her.

Where did she vanish to?

What if she already reached home?

No...she would have replied to the calls them.

Her number would be working then.

She is in trouble.

I don't know I just feel it.

Fuc* Vivian!

Where the hell are you?

I say looking around at the deserted road with no one other than us.

The rain has stopped but the dark clouds above said something else.

At worse,we are going to have a thunderstorm tonight.

"Till now did you see any other car passing by?"

He seemed to be in deep thought before replying.

"Yes. One car did cross but it didn't stop for me. It was overspending and the man seemed a bit crazy."

The scenario of someone kidnapping her or forcing her made my stomach to churn in anxiety.

No. Be positive Ethan. Nothing will happen.

Slamming my palms on my car bonnet, I just go back and start the ignition.

She has to be in this 10 miles distance. No where else.

And I will find her.

.

.

.

12:10 am

My tired eyes were red, the tapping of raindrops on my car window making it almost impossible to see the road.

I was going very slow, making sure to not miss a hint which will take me to her.

The thunder was already making it impossible to even hear someone's scream,but still I had rolled down the window of my sedan , not caring of the interiors getting wet and electronics getting ruined.

Where are you Vivian?

I was going passed this road the third time.

What did I miss...she has to be near the road.

Where can she be.

What if someone really did force her? The place is deserted...no one will even hear her screaming.

Shut up Ethan! Vivian is stronger than this.

She can take care of herself.

Nothing bad will happen. Calm down.

I was trying to fool or convince myself,I really don't know.

But I will make sure to fire Sally tomorrow.

How can she send her alone?

Vivian doesn't know this area well ,but Sally knew.

My thoughts are interrupted when I see something in the corner of the road.

It looked to be a belle flat which was almost drenched and wet ,mixed in mud and rain.

But she wore heels.... didn't she?

Sh**!

She just changed them. I saw her changing them to a comfortable pair of Belle flats and I remember scoffing at her.

Considering it to be so unprofessional of her.

Pressing on the break,I rush out to see it closely.

And I was right...they belong to her.

But looking around I found now one, my anxiety sky rocketing.

Did someone... really kidnap her?

Holding the flats tightly in my hand,I feel all hopes of finding her draining.

What have I done?

The dread started settling in and I feel myself sliding down my car.

The rain not bothering me anymore as I stare at her heel and my trembling fingers.

"Vivi...an.."

I say lowly. And close my eyes. This is not happening...no.... please....punish me God ...but no this... please....

Her green eyes and smiling face comes in front of me and I couldn't help it.

I scream.

Letting it all out

"Viviaaaaaaaaan!!!!"

The roar of thunder responds to my scream and I feel numb all together.

Gathering enough strength and doing it again, letting all the anxiety out.

"Viviannnnnnnnn!!"

And that's when I hallucinate her voice calling me.

Her sweet voice taking my name.

"E...than"

I let the raindrops wash over me , breathing heavily.

When my glass of hallucination actually breaks as I hear her broken yet sweet voice again.

"Eth...an"

Getting up , almost instantly. I look around trying to find the source of the voice.

Switching on the flashlight of my phone I call her again.

"Vivian! Can you hear me?"

I ask desperately to hear her voice in reply.

Making relief to flood in like a rain on a piece of vegetation on verge of dry out.

"I ..I am here Ethan....I fell ..into...the hole...."

And that's when I see it. The big sink hole going meters deep, covered by twigs and leaves.

Damm**!

It looked deep.

"Are you hurt?"

I ask , trying to see her. Flashing the light below.

"I....my....ankle and back....I... can't move..."

The rain's intensity was increasing and I lower myself to see her atleast.

And what I say made me freeze

Her green eyes were afraid,features morphed in pain.

But that's not what worried me.

It was the sight below it,the water....it was rising and covering till her chest.

If the rain doesn't stop, there are chances she may drown in it.

"Try moving Vivian....just try to stand atleast..."

Her teary eyes looked up at me, moving her head in a no.

"It ..it hurts....my back...it ...I can't move an inch Eth..an.."

I can't look at her like this...no... turning my back on her. I run my hand through my wet hair and move them back from my face.

I need to call for help.

It looks like a 18-20 feet fall atleast.

But the water.... it's rising.

I have to do something.

The signal is dead here...it will take 30 minutes one way atleast to get help.

Think Ethan! Think!

I look back at her again to see the water reaching her chin. Her body shivering and her lips turning blue.

Dammit!!

I don't have time for anything.

"Hold on Vivian. I am coming."

She just nods at me, looking at the water around her.

While I rush towards my car and search for anything that could help.

Nothing! Fuc**** not even a single thing!

Opening the boot of the car,I look around to only find jeck and spare tires.

Tyre...yes it may do.

But for how long,I don't know. It's pressure and water density play and I don't have enough time to do physics here.

I was going to close the boot when my eyes stop at a car washing pump in the corner.

At the pipe attached to it specifically.

Pulling out the pipe,I assess it's length to nod to myself.

This would do.

"Vivian! Hold it! "

I say throwing the tube at her and she holds it desperately.

Thankfully it was helping her temporarily to hold herself up few feet above the water.

Tieing the pipe I had with me ,in the tow bar of the car.

I breathe heavily tieing the other end around me after making sure of the length.

Looking down at the fall,I gulp before slowly entering.

"E..th..an....wh..at...are...you... doing....st...o..p?"

She says stuttering and I continue descending.Thanfully the rainfall has slowed down a bit and I could see things more clearly.

I was just a foots distance from her now and I jump ,to reach her.

Her scared green eyes getting filled with relief.

Moving aside the car tube,I pick her up in my arms and a scream leaves her lips as she moves.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh.....It...hurts.... Ethan....my back....I....."

"Shhhh... it's fine. You are safe now. I will stay still."

I say. Staring at her teary eyes that were red with crying.

Standing up to my full height, I hold her in my arms.

The water merely at my knee level and she breathes heavily. Pressing herself closer to me.

Clothes all drenched and lips cluttering with cold.

Coiling her arm around my neck ,she presses her cheek on my my chest.

Breathing heavily and body shivering.

"Breathe in..and breathe out....come on.. Vivian. The rain has stopped and it's gonna be fine. okay?"

In response she just sobs, tightening her grip on my shirt collar and hiding her face on my neck.

Her fragrance hits me even after mud and dirt covering us entirely.

And I find myself calming down.

I felt in ease now that she is alive and breathing in my arms.

I don't know how bad her injuries are,but I just hope they are nothing major.

"How...how long...will you keep... sta...n...ding like this.....you...will hurt... yourself...?"

She asks and I look down at her hypnotizing green orbs.

My arms will be aching in few minutes, and my own back may break holding her for so long.

But I won't keep her down no matter what.

I won't leave her when she needs me.

"I am fine."

I merely say pressing her more closer to me.

"They will come searching in few hours."

She nods.

Pressing her face in my neck again,she whispers lowly.

"Why do you...always save me Ethan...when you say you hate me?"

Her words surprise me and my jaw hardens.I suddenly remember what she did to Soph and I wanted to hurt her as bad as she hurted her .

Looking down at her red eyes with anger I answer putting on my cold fascade.

"I am not like you Vivian.'

She knows what I am going to say. Her eyes say it .

" I don't leave people dying in front of my eyes."

And that's when her grip from my collar loosen and more tears pool in her innocent looking eyes.

"L...eave .....me..."

Pushing on my chest,she tried to let go when I instead harden my grip on her.

"Leave me...dammit!"

She says defiantly and I just ignore her words.

"I will. When the help arrives"

"I.. don't...need any help...from you...."

And I look at her in indifference.

"Sure. But ,what to do? You are stuck with me for the night ...princess"

She again tries to wringle out of my grip when her features cover in pain and she bites her lip to suppress her scream.

Laying back her head on my chest in defeat,she sobs and I do nothing to soothe her cries this time

Leaning my head back on the wall behind, with her engulfed in my arms.

I look up at the dark clouds and remembering the first time I saved her that night.

.....................................................

Flashback

6 years ago

Ethan pov

I reach the school building,my car's tyre screeching against the cobalt ground.

To make it worse, thunder was rumbling in the sky.

I pulled on the front door to only see it locked from the inside.

Shit!

Slamming my palms on it in irritation,I look around worried.

There is no another way,let it be this then.

Looking up ,I take a deep breath and place my foot on the railing of the metal door.

Holding it firmly and crossing over ,I jump to land on the other side with a jerk.

Dusting away the dirt on my hands,I splinted towards the detention room.

The fear in my heart intensifying.

What if something bad happened to her?

I am not like this ,then why with her?

How can be I so stupid to forget about her.

Is this how much I really hate her?

Putting aside my thoughts,I reach the room to see it was very dark here.

The lightning outside,the only thing illuminating the dark corridor.

No lights, nothing.

And as that bitc* said, the door was locked from outside.

"Vivian?"

I ask afraid to hear nothing in return. The silence making the fear to multiply manifold times.

I banged my hand on the door this time,for only silence to follow.

This doesn't look good...what have you done Ethan!

Moving back,I take a deep breath and nod to myself. I have to it.

Running towards the door,I use my shoulders and nearly bang on the door.

An excruciating pain numbs my arm but I didn't care.

I run again, and slam on it again.

The door finally broke of its hinges and I pushed it aside to enter.

It was pitch dark inside and nothing was visible.

Switching on my phone's torch,I look around.

Nothing.

Was that girl Aliza lying? What if she was not here.

The very thought of the sisters making a fool out of me,made me clench my fist.

There was no one here...dammit ! How can I be so stupid.

Kicking the table I sigh in frustration. Running my hand through my hair and turning around to leave.

When suddenly I hear a low whimper and I froze.

"Vivian?"

I ask again.

Gulping the saliva stuck in my throat,I turn back and proceed towards the last benches.

I am sure I heard something here.

I step on something and I use my torchlight to see what it is.

Paper, a crumbled paper.

There was not one no...I look around to see there were hundreds.

What the fuc*? Did she actually tried it so many times?

Can she be innocent? How can she be so stupid to not remember her own password?

I crouch down to open , something was written to be only crossed over.

Weird.

I was still confused , staring at the scribbled writing ,when I see a newly crumbled paper rolling on the floor.

Surprised I look up to see something move under a table.

Moving closer,I move the torch in that direction and the paper drops from my hand.

She was there, sitting under the table. With her knees pressed to her chest and a notepad in her hands.

Scribbling something on the paper,she looked oblivious to my presence.

"Vivian?"

This time,she stopped. She looked up at me and my breath got knocked out of my chest

She looked so fuck*** beautiful.

Her green eyes bore into mine and I see trails of tears , covering her cheeks.

She just stares at me ,not saying anything.

Confused and afraid.

I offer her my hand,regret filling my insides. She didn't deserve this,no one did.

"Come Vivian. Let me get you out of here."

I say softly, trying not to scare her. But she just stares,blankly.

First at my open palm and then at my eyes.

Not moving forward to hold it.

"Come"

I urge her to take my hand and she looks reluctant. Her grip on the pen tightening.

And then all of a sudden , her expression changes.

All the vulnerability,all the fears. Gone.

To be replaced by anger and defiance.

Getting out of the table herself,she throws the pen and paper on the ground.

Moving past me towards the doors.

Due to the dark,her foot hits a table and it screeches. But she didn't stop, determined to get out of here.

I stare at her back , perplexed and stunned.

"Hey! Wait! Vivian!"

I nearly scream after her, but she didn't stop. Her steps hastened as she tried to outrun me.

What the hell is wrong with her? I wanted to apologize, if only she stops running dammit.

Plus it's dark, she can fall down the stairs at this speed.

And my fear did came true, she nearly stumbled on her own feet, tumbling forward.

And if it wasn't for my reflexes and grip on her wrist, she would have had a really bad fall.

Pressing her back on the wall and blocking her, I try to catch my breath.

Looking up to see those green eyes starting at me.

"Are you crazy? Do you wish to die or what?"

She looks at me coldly, her eyes hardening.

"Leave me"

Her voice was so cold that I felt a chill, geez why is she like this?

"See Vivian. I only wish to apologize..I..didn't lock-"

"Leave dammit!"

She screams at me and I see a tear slide down her cheek.

She looked beyond angry, murderous if I may say.

Those green orbs burning in a fire of hate.

But I refused. She has to listen to me.

I won't let her go and do anything stupid.

It was nearly 12 at night, there will be no taxies available at this hour.

I have to make sure she reaches home safely.

"See...calm down. I understand ok-"

She interrupt me, looking at me in disbelief.

Moving her head to a side.

"You understand? You will never understand. You don't understand anything! "

Her tone reaches a higher pitch,I see her fingers shaking as she nearly screams.

Holding her head in her hands,she takes deep breaths.

Avoiding my gaze.

"Look Mr Ethan Lockwood. I am really grateful that you found back your humanity and decided to come back here to save me. Thank you, really now please let me leave."

I place my arms on her either side. Clenching my fist.

Her sarcastic comment not settling well with me.

"I said I didn't locked that stupid door. What fuckin* proof do you need for you to believe me?"

She just stares. Contemplating on my words. And I hold her stare, I hate taking blame for something I never did.

"It doesn't matter. Just step back"

She says, breaking our eye contact and looking down.

I don't know how to help her, she looks so shaken and confused.

"Are you fine?"

I finally ask and she looks up surprised. Covering her shocked expression with a fake smile, she holds up her head to answer.

"I was just locked in a room. What was the worst that could happen? Stop asking such stupid question."

I move closer to her. Making her hold her breath.

Beads of sweat covered her forehead and she was looking more pale than usual.

"Haven't I told you I hate lies Ms Vivian? Stop this pretence and tell me, are you feeling fine?"

"Haven't I told you I hate intruders. Mind your own business!"

This girl is getting on my nerves. I was trying to be polite, to even apologize but she doesn't understand it that way.

Moving back from her, I lift my hands. Letting her go, why do I care if she reaches home or no?

That's not my concern,plus she is so ungrateful.

Why did I even came back to save her?

Leaving my own party to only hear such words of disrespect and arrogance from her.

"Fine. Do whatever! I just didn't wanted the guilt trap."

She doesn't even listens to me. Running down the stairs, she rushes out of the building.

I follow her, fearing each step she took, but she manages this time.

I sit in my car and turn on the ignition. Trying to calm my chaotic mind.

Such an ungrateful bit**.

The road was empty and through my side mirror I see her, walking on the road alone.

Rubbing her hands on her arms.

I should leave. Don't look back Ethan. Ignore her.

But who was I kidding,it's not safe right now.

Plus the weather looks really bad,it could rain any second.

Turning around my car and cursing in my mind, I slow down near her .

Rolling down the passenger window.

"Come. I will drop you at your place."

She didn't stop, not even bothered to look at me,instead she started walking faster. Making me blow the horn to irritate her.

Slamming my hand on the steering wheel , I stop to stare at her back in disbelief.

Just how egoistic and snobbish can anyone be?

Sophie is wrong. This girl is not better, instead she is worse than others.

Another roar of thunder stuck the sky and next I know it started raining cats and dogs.

Wow, great! Now this!

Winds accompanied the heavy rain and I couldn't even see the road in front of me. The raindrops hitting my windshield.

I have had enough.

Stopping the car and stepping out of it,I see her.

Hugging herself tightly and still walking down the road.

Not bothered by the rain or thunder.

This girl is crazy. I am telling you, does she plans to get sick or what?

Running towards her, without asking her I grab her wrist and started pulling her along.

She tries to wriggle out her hand,but I remained persistent.

"Why can't you just leave me!"

She screams at me as I open the passenger door and nearly push her inside.

"Just shut up! "

I say frustrated,she tried getting up again and I nearly slam the door shut on her face.

Going towards the driver seat,I again see her struggling with the door lock and opening the window.

Oh come on! Why is she so stubborn.

Before she could step back into the rain again,I place my hands around her waist and slam her back in me. Using my other hand to child lock the car and breathe heavily in relief.

"Shhhh enough. Just breathe"

I say near her ear and surprisingly this time she listens to me.

Her body calms down and she stops thrashing.

Few seconds passed and that's when I realise the position we were in.

She was sitting on my lap ,her back pressed on my front and our clothes drenched.

My hands holding her wrist at her front,my face just inches away from her.

The sound of our heavy breathing,the only thing audible against the tapping of raindrops on the windows.

"Close your eyes and hear the sound of raindrops tapping. Forget about everything else."

She closes her eyes, her long eyelashes were wet and sticking together.

Raindrops still falling from the tip of her nose.

"Now breathe with me. Inhale"

I say and she takes a deep breath. I couldn't help but smile seeing her,I never thought she will this obedient for even once in life.

"Good. Now exhale. Let it all go"

Her lips move and I for a second got distracted by them.

Stop it Ethan! You hate this girl, remember?

She looks calm now ,better I would say.

Slowly her eyes open and that's when she meets my stare.

Looking down almost immediately,she stares at my hands holding her.

I let go immediately.

Rubbing my neck awkwardly I turn towards the steering wheel as she sits on her seat, looking down at her fingers.

Turning on the heater ,I move the blowers towards her.

Not daring to look at her.

Damn. It feels so awkward.

Stepping on the accelerator,I speed up . The uncomfortable silence stretching between us.

Reaching her place,I kill the ignition and just stare at the wheel.

Those eyes...I don't want to look at them. They do something inside me.

Her hands move to open the door, however she looked reluctant.

Stopping,she turns around to look at me.

She wanted to say something,I can tell.

Deciding not to ,she steps out of the car and just when I thought the night was ending.

She places a piece of paper in my hands and I look back at her confused.

"Goodnight. Ethan."

With this she leaves and I stare at her retreating back before opening the paper.

The words written on it, made my heart to thump in my chest and my mind to go numb for a second.

The words being.

Password-

Ethan Lockwood ,I like you.