Page 30 of Stolen

“SynTanner where are you?” she grumbled, knowing that if he was with her, she wouldn’t have panicked so damn quickly or heavily. On the bottom landing of the looming hospital building behind her, Blossom looked all around her, hoping to spot SynTanner approaching her. A deflated sigh left her lips when she didn’t see SynTanner coming towards the stairs, ready to greet her.

A spattering of patrons was coming to and from the building, and the traffic in front of her never stopped bustling. The hospital was the start of a large courtyard that held eateries, gift shops, a coffee shop, and a dessert bar. For those who weren’t tied to the dread of visiting loved ones in the hospital, the courtyard beyond it was the getaway from a 9 to 5 routine. Blossom’s eyes caught the sight of a small child, skipping happily with a popsicle in hand. Her mother was right behind her, trying to keep up with the hyperactive child. Blossom smiled when the mom finally caught up to her daughter and tugged the child to a stop. The mother bent over, with her hands on her knees, puffing loudly.

“Skye, ya momma is an old bird. You’ve gotta slow down,” she smiled. The young child only laughed at her mother before offering a lick of the popsicle and her mom took gratefully. Blossom was suddenly filled with yearning. As typical as it was, Blossom saw herself as the doting wife, and the mother of a bundle of children. She had a gut feeling that SynTanner would give her beautiful children. Blossom touched her mouth with her fingertips. Why would she think that? Her and SynTanner? Children? She couldn’t shake the thought even though she literally shook her head. She hadn’t even seen the man naked! How was she thinking about carrying and birthing his babies? It was insanity. Blossom looked back at the small child and her mother. The mother was tying the little girl’s sneaker and then they were off again.

Blossom tried to keep up with them through the crowd, but little by little, they only got lost in the crowd of the courtyard. Her eyes swept over the spattering of people. Amongst the fray of colors in the courtyard, the single splotch of darkness caught her attention.

A trickling chill shot up Blossom’s spine. She dropped her arms, letting the blanket fall open slightly. Her lids were continually blinking, trying to discern if her eyes were seeing what her brain was making her believe she was seeing. His smile was sly and dark, his long hair handsomely cascading around his face. His dark navy suit fit him as luxuriously as they always did. Holding a coffee cup, he was leaning against a slim tree planted at the curb of the courtyard. He placed one hand causally in his pant pocket and winked at her.

Blossom’s heart seized in her chest once more. She was frozen with fear, every fiber of her being shot full of icy cold dread. Quivering knees made her unbalanced. He had been watching her. How else could he have known she was here? Her gaze had never left him. She wanted to watch him intently; just so she could know what he would do next. Then he made his move. He tossed his cup into a nearby trash can. The sly smile he’d been wearing disappeared immediately. He glowered at her; his mouth turned into a frown. Before her eyes, he was becoming the Chance he promised he would become if she ever disobeyed him. His true colors were finally showing, and that fake façade of that humanitarian finally faded. Something silver glinted in his hand as he slowly unsheathed it from his pocket. Blossom gulped. It was a knife. He was sneering so deeply; she could see his gritted teeth. His mouth was moving but Blossom couldn’t hear what he was saying. One world fell from his mouth and Blossom didn’t need to hear him to know what he said.

Kill.Chance began to walk fiercely towards her, the evil intent never leaving his face. Blossom shook her head.

“No.” She forced her body out of its frozen statue. Even if she was terrified of Chance, she was not letting him take her again. Her feet began to stumble backwards as in front of her Chance was only picking up speed. Blossom shook her head wildly. Her feet moved faster. She was seemingly running backwards, afraid to take her eyes of Chance even for a second. It was like she needed to see him. How close was he to her? Could she get away?

“Blossom! Don’t you hear me calling you?!” She bumped into the warm chest that she was coming to know very well. SynTanner took her by the arms and turned her around fiercely.

“Your hands are freezing!” he exclaimed, the horrid expression on Blossom’s face matching the coldness of her body.

“He was there! Chance! I saw him! And he was running towards me!” Blossom screeched. SynTanner shoved Blossom behind him. He scanned the courtyard heavily.

“Is he there?!” she asked. SynTanner turned around to face her.

“No one is there Blossom. I don’t see anything out of the normal.” She peeked out from behind him.

“But—he was there,” she whimpered. SynTanner gave her a comforting smile.

“Your eyes are red sweetheart. Are you tired?” he asked.

“I—maybe—I don’t know,” Blossom fussed. She held her temples. The blanket fell from her shoulders.

“Shit woman!” SynTanner snatched up the blanket and hurriedly put it over her.

“I’m a jealous man Blossom. I don’t want anyone taking peeks of you,” he said. Blossom looked at him sharply.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m being honest.” He showed her the small bag he had in his hand.

“I brought you a couple of my t-shirts. Wasn’t sure which you’d like,” he said. Blossom peeked out around him again, checking for the second time if Chance was lurking around. Indeed, he was completely gone. Was it her imagination?

“Hey. I’m here now. What I tell you about when I’m here?” he asked.

“That you’ll protect me,” she replied softly.

“And I meant it.” He kissed her forehead. “Let’s go inside so I can put one of my shirts on you. Not only am I jealous, but I’m territorial. I’m eager to see you wearing my clothes,” SynTanner said. His voice was giddy and goofy. Blossom realized he was doing it on purpose to make her laugh.

“You’re silly.”

“Got you laughing though,” he pointed out. He put his arm around her waist and led the way up the paved steps to the front door of the hospital.

“Tanner, do you want to be a father?” Blossom asked casually.

“If I don’t, my mother will likely never forgive me for not giving her a grandchild,” he replied. He looked down at her.

“Why?”

“Oh, no reason,” she blushed, looking away from him with a tiny smile painting her lips.