Meet Me in the Bathroom

Don't Let Go

I've been wandering the streets for half an hour now and I think I've wandered my way into the bad parts of town. I can see numerous drug deals going down on the trash ridden sidewalks and it's starting to get creepy. "J-Julian?!" I call out once more, knowing it won't make a difference.

I guess walking back the way I came would be an idea...if I can remember the way I came.

I push myself off the wall I've been leaning on and start trying to retrace my steps.

"Hey, beautiful," a raspy voice makes me jump and turn around. "What are doin' down in these parts?"

Where the hell did he come from?!

"I...I got lost." I say to the old, junkie guy stood before me.

"Well, that's no good, is it?" he pushes his long, matted hair out of his eyes and takes a step closer to me.

"It's really not. D-Do you have a phone I could borrow?"

"A phone?!" he chuckles. "Do I look like I own a phone?"

"I..."

"Look, I'll tell 'ya what. How's about you come with me and we'll find you a payphone..."

"Thank you, but I think I'll be fine." I bite down hard on my bottom lip out of anxiousness and I turn on my heel.

I let out a squeak as I feel a tight grip on my shoulder. "It wasn't a question, love."

"I'm sorry, but I've really gotta go!" I pull away from his grip.

"Just a minute ago you were askin' me for a phone, and you made the mistake of tellin' me you're lost."

"Well, I've changed my fucking mind!" I decide I've had enough and I push him away. "Back off, creep!" I start to jog, but he grabs me and wraps his arms around my torso, pulling me back with him. "Let me fucking go!" I kick and scream until he cups a hand over my mouth.

"Shut up!" he hisses in my ear. "I ain't goin' back to the can!"

"No!" I bite down on his hand, which makes him pull away and I kick him really hard in the crotch. "Don't ever fucking touch me again!" I kick him down and then start to run.

"Come back here you fuckin' bitch!" his voice calls in the distance. "I'm not done with you! I'll get you!"

I ignore him and continue to run. I'm so scared right now I don't even notice the tears blurring my vision. I can hear his footsteps getting closer. I've never run so fast in my life. "Julian, where are you?!" I call out as I run and I don't even look back to see if that creep is still chasing me. "Jules, please!"

My lungs burn. I don't know how long I've been running for. I turn a few corners until I feel my face slam into something, causing me to fall on my ass and let out a sob.

"Jade?" I hear the voice I've been longing to hear. "Holy fuck, where did you go?! I've been looking for you for ages!"

"J-Julian?" I look up and sniffle.

"Are you okay?" he bends down to help me up. "What happened?"

I wrap my arms around Julian and bury my face in the crook of his neck. "I...he-"

"He?! Who?!" he questions and I can feel his arms wrap around me, making me calm down a little.

"This g-guy! He grabbed me and tried to...to," I break down into tears again at the thought.

"Jade, it's okay. I'm here now." he pats my back and squeezes me tighter. "Fuck the groceries. We're going back to the apartment, okay?"

"Yes p-please..." I stutter and Julian pulls away. "Don't let go of me!" I grab his hand and hold it tightly.

Julian nods, wrapping his fingers around mine. "We're gonna go back and you're gonna tell me what happened, okay?"

"Okay." I squeeze his hand a little more. "I think I hate the city..."