Short Stories

Who's My Savior

     I was too busy scratching my ideas down to notice who it was, or when they placed it, but by the time I went to take a sip of my boba I saw it. A small folded piece of paper lying on the cafe table next to me.

     It held a simple message. "Get out now. While you still can." I whispered it to myself. "So weird"

     Deciding to not take my chances, I grab my note book and pencil bag and head straight for the exit. Never looking back. I think of the park I love to visit when I have writers block and make my way over. When I'm about to cross the street to the park, an ambulance speeds past me. Fears knocks me back on my butt.

     "Ah....come on~" I notice a small scrape on my hand where I had caught myself and cringe.  Trying to stay in a positive space I get up and brush myself off, and go to rest in the park. My second favorite place to be after the cafe.

     My ideas are really started to flow when my phone starts buzzing. It's my mom. "Ugh~ you have got to be kidding me" I groan. "And now I've lost my train of thought" rolling my eyes I pick up the phone, packing up my things.

      "Mom, I love you but this better be freaking important." I say in to the phone I hold between my shoulder and ear.

     "Clara?!?!?! Honey, are you okay??!?" She asks frantic.

     "What? Yeah, I'm fine mom. What is it?"

     "Oh...oh thank goodness." She sighs

     "Mom, what's wrong? Why did you call?" I ask, finishing up packing everything into my arms. I go to stand but freeze when I hear her next words.

     "Well, I'm walking past that one cafe you love to write in and it looks like someone went in and shot the place up. Oh thank heavens you weren't in there when...I don't know what I'd do if you..."  her breathing became shaky as her emotions took over

     "Again? What is this??" I mumble to myself

     "What? What do you mean again? Clara?"

     "Nevermind that. Mom I'm fine. I have to go, I be home late tonight." I rush, hanging up the phone as soon as she tells me to stay safe.

     I waste no time in texting Bradley, asking him to meet me outside his house in ten minutes. I walk as fast as my short legs will take me, my head reeling with information I just received.

     "Hey babe" Bradley greeted kissing my forehead before before intertwining our hands and continue down the sidewalk with me "what's up? Did you miss me?"  He smirked kissing my cheek.

     "Hmm" I gave a short nod, my mind still processing. He stopped walking, pulling me to a halt as well.

     "Hey" He used his free hand to adjust my chin to look up at him. "What's wrong?"

     "It happened again" I stayed with a sigh. His green eyes just continued to stare at me, concerned and confused. His brows furrowed, his small lips opening to ask "What did, Clara?"

     "Someone saved my life" I let out

     "Oh" His gaze dropped to my worn out sneakers before continuing "this again? Clara, it was probably just a-"
     "Coincidence?" I cut him off, shaking my head "nope. Not this time. This time it was a note!"
     I pull it's crumpled form out of my pocket, smoothing it out as much as I can, and hand it to him. He reads it, tilting his head so his black hair fell out of his eyes. "Who-"

     "I don't know. But there is no other explanation this time. None. I'm not going crazy, and this," I tap the paper with my index finger "is proof. Someone is trying to keep my alive"

     "But-Clara, think about it. I mean, it just doesn't make sense" he tries to put his hand on my shoulder, but I move out from under it, allowing our hands to slip apart as well.

     "Nothing in my life has been making sense for the past month! Just because we don't understand it doesn't make it fake. Bradley, this can't be anything else. This can't be ignored. First it was the email saying class was cancelled that only I got, seven people died. Then it was Joyce needing me to cover her shift instead of going to that party and over 30 people were injured.  Now this. All three places I was supposed to be, a shooting occurred. Explain that" when I finished, my hands were balled in my skirt. I stood and waited for him to answer but he just stood there. I took a step back. And another. And another. Till I was far enough from him I hope he couldn't see my tears.

     "You might be able to pretend this isn't real. But I can't. I can't live knowing I've cheered death three times and not know why. What about those other kids Bradley, huh? Why didn't they get saved? Why me??" The tears were falling out as fast as the thoughts of been keeping in since I first suspected something was off. "Why didn't I die Bradley?!? THATS what doesn't make sense!!!"

     The whole time he just stood there, staring at me. I continued to walk away from him. When I was far enough I knew he could no longer hear me, I turned and ran home. Never stopping to wonder why he didn't chase after me.