“Can I help you find something?” His voice asked. I was almost positive it was him.
“I don’t -” I began to say. But I couldn’t think of a thing to say after. I lifted my head enough to check the name. Sure enough, it was Erik.
“Miranda?” He asked, and he ducked his head to see into my eyes. He instantly looked concerned. He reached out a hand towards me. “Do you need help?” He asked softly.
“I need… I wanted….” I stumbled over my words. I gulped. I knew it. I couldn’t get my words out. I took a step back and tripped a little. Erik made a swift movement that was just a blur to me; he was standing on my right side and had slipped his arm around me. I was shaking so badly, but I felt the butterflies slam against my insides so violently that I felt sick.
“Look, why don’t you sit down.” He whispered. He was guiding me to the back area of the store. It was the “garden” area of the store. There were a couple of plastic chairs placed along the glass window side of the narrow room. “Here, just settle down here.” I sat but jumped when he appeared crouched before me, peering into my eyes. Yes, both eyes; I had let go of my hood when he had wrapped his arms around halfway to lead me to the chair.
“Miranda, who did this to you?” He asked gently; he lifted a hand and pulled back my hood. He could see my complete injury now.
“A guy,” I gasped. I blinked and realized I was crying.
“What is his name?” His voice held a hint of anger, almost wrath.
“Stan, but he isn’t from here,” I closed my eyes, trying to get the tears to stop.
“Do you know his last name?” I realized he had my hand now—my right hand, not my left with the ring.
“I don’t remember.” My eyes popped open, and I sobbed.
“Miranda.” He was speaking softly again. “Don’t cry. I will tell the guy I am working with I need to get off now. I will be right back. We can leave by this exit. Just stay right here.”
Now I thought about leaving before he could come back and running out the door. I did think about it. But when I thought about standing and leaned forward, I saw spots, and my ears began to buzz. I closed my eyes and tried to push myself into a standing position, but my shoulder gave a great pop, and I let out a little cry and fell back into the chair. I would have to wait for Erik. After all these years, I was finally stuck, unable to run away to hide.
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Spookychild’s writings 
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