A slight Detour

CHAPTER 2

The engine of my car revved as I charged straight at the delinquents. My headlights flashed at them and in seconds they scattered like flies. In a swift turn, I drifted at the curve barely missing the white minivan parked at the other side of the street. One of the masked thugs clenched the girl’s arm to keep her put. He had a dragon tattoo on his forearm and spoke in Greek to his accomplices. I pulled down the windows of the passenger’s seat and pointed my Jennings J 22 rifle straight to his forehead. His face was drained of blood as he stood frozen like a deer in headlights.

“Come on, get in!” I screamed while kicking the passenger door open. The girl broke free from the man’s hold and ran into my car. The moment her legs were in, I stepped on the gas and sped off. The men swore in profanity behind me and threw their weapons, but I was way past their target range.

“Are you okay? Did-d they touch you?”

She vehemently shook her head “no”. The wave of wet clothes and faint vanilla hit my nose and oddly enough, a soft whip of cupcakes. I turned to the right to examine her. She couldn’t have been older than 17. She looked like a doll, her chestnut hair was packed in a low bun. She wore a light blue denim jacket and a pink bubble skirt. Her feet must have been mushy in the wet uggs. Laurent ugs I might add.

​Now that I know nothing happened to her. I had to know who the hell she was. Is she the child of a politician?

​“What’s your name?” I asked. Her mouth parted but she held herself back almost in hesitation. She lowered her head and said “Amelia Tempest.”

​The name rang a bell, but I didn’t know where. Never mind that, now I know her name. I took a deep breath.

​“Okay Amelia, do you live around here?” She vigorously nodded. Huh, not much of a talker. Not that I blame her after all of that.

​“Right. If you could type in your address on my phone.” I sighed, scrolling past the missed calls from Stacy. Her jaw is gonna snap loose after I tell her what happened today. Amelia typed in the address so I could follow directions to her place. The ride there was mostly quiet because I didn’t know what to say. She was risking it all trusting me and I didn’t want to make her feel more uncomfortable. After much rambling in my head, I summoned the courage to ask her.

“Why were those guys after you?”

Amelia gulped while fiddling with her fingers. Her hand covered her mouth in time for a sneeze. She sneezed the second time, then the third. Luckily, I had a blanket in the backseat, so I parked the car to safely get from behind me, then continued the ride. She looked so cute wrapped up in the lavender blanket. It was also the first time I saw her smile. She pursued her lips.

“T-They tt-tried to kidnap me for ransom.” Her bottom lip quivered. “So, my b-brother could pay them off and save me. And it’s all my-”

“Oh, sweet child, I’m so sorry.” Her deep brown eyes began to water. I can’t even begin to imagine how horrible that must have been. And I thought I was having a bad day. I stretched out my hand to her side.

“Good thing I was there, don’t worry we’ll get you back home any moment now.” She cleaned her eyes and held my hands in a firm grip. Maybe I am good for something.

The next street had posh air to it. The roads were tiled in perfect order, and it had an off-white regalia gate entrance. It held up a sign that read “Nirvana Estates.” At the gate some guards walked up to my car and asked for a gate pass. Amelia handed them a black card with the golden corners. This made the guards open the door swiftly. My mini Chevrolet felt so inferior to the array of regal cars parked outside the houses. The compounds were huge and beautifully adorned with exotic plants, marble fountains and obvious surveillance cameras. Once we approached the gate of her home, I couldn’t believe my eyes. This is a freaking mansion, why would she ever want to leave?

We walked up to the entrance where Amelia rang the doorbell. I could hear someone angrily talking to her while she hung her head. Suddenly some men in jet black suits walked out the gate to pick her up. One of them gave me a dirty look. What was that for?

“She’s the woman who rescued me.” Amelia said. The men took a deep bow. “Thank you for returning Miss Tempest to her abode.”

Suddenly her eyes lit up “Do y-you want to come inside? my brother would want to-”

I shook my head no. “Sorry Amelia, I have to head… home,” Home. I didn’t know where that was anymore. “Take care of yourself kid.”

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“Oh my goodness Eva that’s a lot!” It was 9pm. I snuggled in Stacy’s duvet sipping hot cocoa under a faint warm light. My luggage was lying on the edge of her queen size bed. Stacy wore her fancy baby pink robe, stirred her glass of red wine and sighed while handing me another box of tissue.

“If it counts for anything I never liked him from the start.” Stacy scoffed. I let out a slight chuckle. Stacy never approved of my type. She believed men should bow at her feet and worship the ground she walked on. With her looks anyone would do that for her, not small hometown Eva.

​During the weekend, I drowned myself with funny cat videos on my phone when a notification popped up at the top of my screen. It was a work email. I clicked on it to respond till I saw in bold capital letters, title of the email. My eyes widened in horror “Letter of Termination” That asshole, He has absolutely no right!