Mason
Guilt swarmed through my body as the paramedics took her from my arms.
I stayed there by her side watching the paramedics check her over. They asked me questions to get a better understanding and agreed she should be taken to hospital as a precaution.
I felt so guilty for what she went through. I never meant for her to get hurt, I just wanted to get her out of there. I wasn't stupid, I knew it was a set-up. Before the show had started, I noticed a blacked out van waiting in an alleyway nearby with armed men.
They were here for her.
But they wouldn't hurt her or even attempt to take her now that I was here. I knew exactly why they were after her. And I knew exactly who was behind this.
It all made sense. George threatened me and then turned up making me lose sight of the men I was trying to follow.
But I had to keep playing the dumb act. I had to act clueless. That's the only way I could ensure her safety.
Her hand remained in mine the whole time reassuring her with my presence that I'd never let anything happen to her. But if she was conscious then I know the exact reaction I'd get from her. She was scared of me and would run away from the monster I am.
The paramedics reassured me that she'd be fine and started to wheel the bed away from me.
Her hand fell out of my grip making me feel empty and cold. I stood still in the pouring rain watching as they closed the doors and started their journey to the hospital with my jacket still covering her body.
"I'm going to make things right baby. I'm going to keep you safe sunshine".
Clenching my fists tightly, I looked round the outside of the club that had now been cleared of people and sighed heavily.
I knew that Juliette would be safe in the hospital for now, but as of right now I had to try and find out who the bastard was that was hanging out with my girl.
Walking over to the alleyway that I had previously seen the suspicious blacked out van in, I chuckled to myself as it was no longer there.
At least they were gone, for now anyway.
Walking back to my car, I rubbed at my tired face and sighed as I reached the driver's side door.
After this event, I realised that some promises had to be broken to ensure another was kept. I had to do something I never thought I'd do and I knew Juliette would hate me for it.
But it had to be done, for her own good.
****************
Juliette
"Ow".
"Shh sweetheart. It's going to be alright".
Falling back onto the plump pillow I closed my eyes as the pain throbbed in my head.
"I swear, I didn't drink anything".
I could hear my mum laugh as she stroked my hand.
"I know baby, I'm just glad you're okay".
I didn't even know where I was, but I knew that I was not sleeping in my bedroom.
"Mum? Where are we? Is this heaven?".
Mum suddenly went silent. Normally she'd laugh at that sort of comment. Something must have been bothering her- oh never mind.
She let out a very loud and obnoxious laugh that made my body startle in fright at how loud and sudden it was.
"Oh sweetheart, that knock really was bad".
Knock? What knock?
Slowly finding the strength to open my eyes, I was instantly greeted with my mother's beautiful brown eyes.
"How? Who? What".
"Slow down baby. You're safe".
Mum began rummaging in her bag and pulled out a large punnet of red grapes.
"You're the best" I muttered as I reached out for the punnet.
As I began to eat the juicy red grapes, I looked around the room wondering why an earth I was in the hospital. All I remembered was being in the club, but then everything went dark.
"Do you remember what happened last night?" Mum questioned with her brow raised.
"Not really. I was in the club and then everything went dark".
Mum gave me a sympathetic smile and stroked my cheek.
"Apparently the fire alarm went off and they told everyone to get out. From what the paramedics told me someone knocked you down causing you to hit your head on the metal banister of the stairs. A man rescued you and called an ambulance for you and that's how you got here".
As she finished off explaining last night's events, it started to come back to me. The overwhelming anxiety, Charlie's unwanted displays of affection and the chaos of a stampede trying to get out of a overcrowded club.
"Was it Charlie who saved me?".
"I'm not sure honey, but you came alone. The man stayed behind. Do you think Charlie would do that?".
I wasn't sure, but a little part of me was glad he wasn't here. He made it clear through his actions that he fancied me, but if anything it made me cringe. But as I lay on the soft bed staring up at the ceiling, I tried taking myself back to last night to remember who saved me.
He was tall, dark and very strong. My vision was blurry when he came to my aid, but his presence felt familiar like I had spent a lot of time with him. It was strange how safe I felt when he picked me up and carried me out of the club.
His touch was gentle, his smell was comforting and his voice so soothing. I had definitely met this person before. I wish I had the opportunity to thank him for saving my life.
"He wrapped you up in his jacket to keep you warm. It's over there on the chair. Is that Charlie's?".
Following her finger, I looked to the chair on the other side of the room and noticed a very large jacket which actually looked more like a coat.
"No, that isn't his".
That confirmed it. Charlie left me to get trampled on and some random man saved me. And I'm certain he was the same man that I saw looking down at me from the balcony.
"Well, let's just focus on the fact that some kind man saved you and got you here. You seem to be doing better. I was worried you'd be in a worse state. Are you having any symptoms? Feeling nauseous?".
Raising a hand to my head, I noticed that it was wrapped up with a bandage. I probably looked so stupid as hell.
"Apart from a small throbbing pain in my head, I think I'm okay. I just want to go home and sleep. Can we leave?".
"Yes, but the doctor wanted to check you over once you had woken up. I'll go and find him and tell him you're awake".
Thanking her softly, I lent back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling again.
I guess last night was an example of why I should just stay at home.
Being around people was stressful. That's why I preferred to be alone.
******************
"It's so good to be home".
Placing down the overnight bag my mum had brought for me, I stepped into the hallway and made room for my mum to walk in and lock the door after her.
She was normally pretty chill about locking the door, but ever since everything went down she was now over the top about securing the house even though we were in it.
"I bet".
Mum rubbed her eyes and it was only then that I saw little bags under them. I didn't even need to ask whether she stayed the night at the hospital with me. I was the only person she had left and she was now very protective over me.
"Mum, go and have a rest. I'll make you a chamomile tea and make a start on dinner".
"Juli-"
"Mum, stop. You need to rest. I'm just making dinner, not like there's a strange man in the kitchen that I'm going to have to fight".
She sighed heavily before nodding and dragged her feet into the living room.
Following in her footsteps, I walked past the living room and headed straight into the dark kitchen.
Flicking on the light switch, a shrill scream escaped my throat as my eyes fell upon an intruder in our home.
The man I thought I'd never see again. The man who brought me the darkest nightmares, yet also the sweetest dreams. He was standing in our kitchen with his hands in his pockets.
My body began to tremble uncontrollably as he held up his hands in surrender and shook his head.
"Please, I'm not here to hurt you or take you away" he whispered out hoping not to scare me.
"I'M COMING BABY".
I could hear my mum's heavy footsteps pound behind me getting louder and louder.
Her hands wrapped around my shoulders ready to throw me behind her, but she stopped and looked past my shoulders.
"Who the hell are you?" she shouted as she picked up a nearby frying pan.
Mason's eyes flew to mine looking at me with a sad sympathetic expression.
"Mum, this is Mason. The man who kidnapped me".
I could feel my mum's body shake with rage and she let out a heart wrenching scream as she went for him, but I held her back.
Mason promised me that he wouldn't see me again. And the way he said it held truth that he meant it. There had to be an important reason as to why he was here. He looked as if he was scared, as if he didn't even want to be here.
"Wait mum. Mason, what are you doing here?".
I could feel my mum's eyes glaring at me, but something about Mason's facial expression was scaring me. He was scared, he was really scared.
"I know I'm the last person you want to see and I know I broke the promise that you would never see me again, but I'm doing this because I will not break the other promise I made to you, and that's to keep you safe. Some people are after you. They're out to hurt you to hurt me. They planned to kidnap you at the concert last night, but I intervened and stopped it. Now I know you're going to be angry and scared, but I need you to trust me right now. I want you two to pack some bags and come and stay in one of my safe houses for some time until I resolve this. You'll be safe there sunshine".