Prologue

The frightened fourteen-year-old girl gazed sadly into the starless night. She turned around quickly to make sure no one was behind her. Part of her was relieved, but another part of her just wanted someone--anyone--to let her know they loved her; and the best way for said person to demonstrate that is to implore her not to do this.

If it were during the day on that Sunday, she knew the shoreline would be bustling with people. But now, at nine in the evening, the popular hangout had all but closed up shop for the night. The fluorescent glow of a few stores’ interior lights gave the road a peaceful feel and illuminated the roundabout with an innocent glow that filled her with fond memories of afternoons spent on the beach with her older siblings.

With a deep breath to cast out old memories of happier times, the young girl took a step off the curb onto a patch of dark pavement, willing the nervous shaking to cease. She always hated how her whole body reacted to tense situations and this evening was definitely not an exception. How could he do this to me…again she wondered. Tears pooled in her eyes, but she chose to ignore them by wrapping her arms around herself and walking to the center of the street. She closed her eyes and didn’t flinch when she heard a car approaching. Bracing herself for the impact of metal on her thin and frail body, she planted her feet firmly on the ground. Minutes passed without any crashing. I was sure that car wasn’t turning, so why am I still standing here? She cocked an eyebrow and mumbled curses under her breath when she noticed that the car was stopped and the driver was climbing out.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Just hit me. Why did you stop?”

“I’m sorry. Hitting pedestrians isn’t a favorite pastime of mine.” The male sighed and approached her, causing her to take a few steps back.

The blaring of a car horn made her freeze in place. In that moment, she began to have second thoughts. Maybe she didn’t want to kill herself after all.

Before she knew it, the driver grabbed her arm and pulled her to his car. He opened the passenger door and sat her down. He crouched in front of her and gently took her hands in his.

“Look, I don’t know you and I may not have a right to say anything, but there is a reason why you’re alive and you can’t take decisions like that into your own hands, okay?” The guy released her hands and massaged his forehead.

The girl’s eyebrows creased with concern and she immediately reached out to rub his arm. “Are you okay? What’s the matter?”

“Other than the fact that I almost hit you? Nothing.” The guy stood up and shook his head. “Put your legs in.”

The girl did as she was told and with a loud thud the passenger door closed. She watched as the guy made a path to his side, got into the car, and started the ignition.

“Where do you live?”

“What?”

“I’m taking you home. Where do you live?”

“Near the 28th Street Pier. On Hydrangea Circle.”

The traffic light ahead of them turned red and the black Mustang that the two teenagers were sitting in rolled to a stop. The boy turned to her with a warm smile and stuck out his hand. “I’m David.”

“David.” The girl repeated and shook his hand. “Lovely to meet you.”

David was a little upset that she didn’t impart her name, but decided to let that go for the moment. He pressed the gas when the light shone green, but became so engrossed in his own thoughts that he missed the turn.

“You wanted to turn there.” The girl pointed to the road that just passed them by.

David looked at her with mock irritation. “Thanks for telling me now.”

“Sorry.” The girl mumbled and sank into her seat. “You know what? Just drop me here.”

David shook his head. “No. I’m taking you all the way to your house.”

“Fine.” She grumbled. “You can turn right here and that will take you to the other end of the development.”

“Wow.” David whistled as he studied the extravagant houses. “You must be loaded.”

The girl softened her posture and chuckled. “Not as much as some people in the neighborhood. Right here.” She pointed to a simple yet classy white single story house with glass doors.

David pulled the car into the driveway and shifted the car into park. He turned to the girl who had been his companion for the last twenty minutes and realized how beautiful she was. Funny that he didn’t notice it before now. It was probably because of his anger and frustration. Why did this girl want to kill herself? What if he hadn’t stopped? Why was he, of all people, driving down that road?

“What?” The girl smiled.

David shook his head. “Sorry.” His eyes trailed across her body, stopping briefly to study her blonde hair and steel gray eyes before taking in her outfit. She was wearing a short jean skirt; a turquoise sequined tank top, which was covering a black baby doll top, both short enough to expose a purple belly button ring with a daisy charm hanging from it. On her feet were a pair of thin black flip flops, which displayed her red painted toenails and a simple silver toe ring on her right middle toe.

“I’m going to go inside now.” The girl announced, bringing David’s attention back to her face. “Thanks for the ride.”

David nodded and fished through the open glove compartment for a piece of paper. He wrote his phone number down and handed it to her, savoring the opportunity to hold her hand. Something inside of his head told him that letting her go now would be a big mistake, even though he knew he had to. “Please call me if you need anything…even if it’s just to talk.”

“Okay.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thanks again, David.” She climbed out of the Mustang and disappeared into the house.

David cringed when he heard the echo of screaming inside the house.

“What do you think you’re doing waltzing in at this hour, young lady? I’m going--”

David sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Please let her be safe tonight.” He muttered as he backed out of the driveway and began his journey home.