Dragon's Heart

Chapter Three-Robyn

Robyn’s POV

I am pacing my living room. I don’t know if I should tell Big John and Julie I am leaving and never returning. I don’t want to do that to them, but I don’t think I can remain here now that he is here. They like him a lot and he has already boosted the economy for the town compared with almost the last five years. Why did he have to come here of all places? I didn’t realize he was the owner of the land, which I guess makes him the owner of Black Moon.

When I found this town, I never thought anyone from my past would find me. Well, he technically isn’t a main part of my past other than what is in my mind, I guess. I had thought the days of obsessing over him and pining for him, though I knew I never had the chance, were over. When Amy brought me to the table and he was sitting there, my stomach dropped partially in excitement, but mostly with dread. I am glad he doesn’t seem to recognize me. I would definitely have to leave if he were to tell his family where he was and that he ran into me.

I decided to pack some of my precious things that I won’t be able to leave behind. If I find out he has let his family know, I will leave immediately. I sat at my table and wrote a letter to Big John and Julie for taking me in all those years ago and giving me the family I never thought I would get. Tomorrow I will withdraw money from my account to have on hand if I need to leave fast. I tucked the letter into an envelope and slid it between my cookbooks on my counter. I know eventually Big John or Julie will find it.

I will make sure my last foster father never finds me. Not especially after he hollered into the night that he would never stop looking for me and would kill me once he did find me. I luckily made it to my secret hiding place and was able to hide and rest for the night. The next morning, I began running away early. I was never more grateful that I kept most of my possessions in my secret place than that night. I even had money I had saved from my after-school job at the burger place clearing tables. I walked to the next town over and to the bus station. I had enough saved to buy a ticket, but I chose to remain in the state because if I got a ticket out of state it would’ve cost more, and I didn’t know how long I could make my money last.

When the bus was practically out of town, I saw his car heading into town. I crouched down so he couldn’t see any part of me. He never tried to stop the bus, so maybe he thought I didn’t have enough money to get a ticket, or that I wouldn’t head further in the state and try to leave state. I didn’t know. I was on edge for the first two hours of that bus ride. I kept thinking he was going to find me. I had told the ticket attendant my grandmother was sick, and I needed to get to her before she could pass. She felt bad and wished me luck. I had seen her leave before the bus left, so I assume she was the overnight worker. That I like to think bought me time in case he did check at the bus station.

When I got off at my stop, I got myself some food and water. I then made my way into the woods nearby. I walked all day and most of the night through the woods. I made camp near a stream that night. At least I would be able to clean myself in the morning from sleeping on the ground. The thermal blanket helped to keep me warm, and I used my backpack as a pillow. It was, ironically, the first sleep I had had in a long time that I wasn’t terrified at every noise. Maybe I knew I was safe from his grasp. I didn’t know. I spent many a night in that forest not having any real direction.

It was on the fifth morning when I came upon Black Moon. I cautiously made my way into town. I needed to find a place to get some food as I had run out two days prior to that. I hadn’t made it far into town before. I guess I blacked out from exhaustion, and hunger, and thirst. I woke up the next day in a hospital bed. Big John was outside my room and Julie was sitting in the only chair available in the room sleeping. I guess I set off some alarm on one of the wires attached to me when I tried to get up. A nurse and a doctor rushed in along with Big John and it woke Julie.

The doctor told me to remain calm. I learned later from Big John what had happened to me. I thought I had only been in the hospital for a night, but it had been three nights and I was on my fourth day when I woke up. I had panicked because I thought they were trying to see who I was and where I came from. I didn’t have my identification because my foster family kept all my personal papers and things like my ID and my birth certificate and such.

Luckily, they were waiting for me to wake up to ask me who I was because they had no idea where to start looking out to find out who I was. They were planning on starting the calling if I hadn’t woken up though. I begged them not to tell anyone where I was. The doctor had to sedate me after my panic attack. During that time, Big John and Julie decided to take me in and protect me from whatever and whoever I was afraid of.

I hope they will appreciate that I explained it to them in my letter to them. I never wanted them to think less of me, and I still hope that they never have to read my letter. I am just praying Adrian Chase never figures out who I am. I avoided him the rest of his senior year after the first and only time I had an encounter with him. It didn’t stop the obsession I built up over him. Most girls wanted to be his girlfriend no matter what grade they were in. He was the most popular guy before things changed in the last half of his senior year.

I never thought he had got Layla pregnant and abandoned her. He just didn’t seem the type to do that. She damaged his reputation pretty badly, but he began pulling away from the popular kids after. After it came out, she lied about him. Girls still pined for him. He’s gorgeous what sane girl wouldn’t. He looks even better now than he did then. I heard he was nominated as prom king and won, but didn’t attend prom, or didn’t accept it because Layla was prom queen. I am not sure. I wasn’t allowed to go to prom unless an upperclassman asked me of which they didn’t.

Soon after, it was discovered she was pregnant this time around with her new boyfriend’s baby. I heard she told him after they graduated, and he left her on the spot. I think she has three or four kids now, all with different boyfriends, or maybe a couple share the same dad. I really don’t know. All I remember the most from that time is my encounter with Adrian.

I usually stayed after school and helped in the library. I had made my way through the woods to go to my secret place and that’s when I found Adrian on the path. He was doubled over on the ground in severe pain. I didn’t think and had run to him to help him. He couldn’t tell me what was wrong. I told him I would go get help over his screams of pain. He grabbed my arm to stop me, and I was so shocked he was touching me I couldn’t move. His touch felt warm and tingly. It was that or I imagined the tingly because he was touching me.

He stopped screaming as he held onto me. I thought he would let go of me once I helped him stand, but he didn’t. He just kept holding onto my arm. I was so nervous as he stood there taking deep breaths. “Can you let me go?” I asked him quietly as I stared at his sneakers. I had to ask more than once because he didn’t hear me the first time. I finally gained enough senses and pulled myself from his grasp and ran off to my secret place. I heard him calling out to me about ten seconds later. After, I think whatever trance he was in, finally broke. I made sure to avoid him after that.

I didn’t know what I wanted, but I do know that had he kissed me or wanted to do anything to me I wouldn’t have resisted him. Sometimes I have dreams of him doing just that and laying me on the forest floor and making love to me as he kissed me senseless. F*ck. I felt my n*****s harden thinking about my dreams and fantasies. “Get it together Robyn” I said out loud to myself. I looked at the clock. It was almost four.

I decided to get ready and head into work early. Prepping food and focusing on making dinner for tonight will keep my mind off from things. I know Big John is curious as to my avoidance of him, but I told him I just didn’t like something about him, but I wasn’t sure what. I don’t like lying to Big John or Julie, but they can’t know about my connection to him, at least not yet.

I walked out of my apartment and locked the door behind me. I made my way to the door that led outside. I carefully looked to the right to see if I could see him there near the other entrance. Thankfully, he wasn’t there. Some of the guys he is with were playing basketball at the hoop in the parking lot. I slipped down the rest of the building and around the corner of the building. I put my headphones on, and I started to walk to work. I took my time as there was no rush exactly and maybe the walk would help calm my nerves too.

I was lost in my music and thoughts that I almost didn’t see his truck coming down the road. I ducked down the street next to me and behind a tree close by. He didn’t see me, and I watched as he passed by with his window down tapping his hand to whatever music he was probably listening to. He looked happy. He had left early this morning for a meeting I had heard Amy say he was attending this morning last night.

I forgot I told him I would show him the land tomorrow. Sh*t! If he comes in tonight, I’ll just tell Big John to tell him I forgot about it. Maybe I’ll say I made other plans too. I don’t want to be near him, especially not if we are alone. I continued on after he passed by. I went in through the kitchen door. Lance was dancing around the kitchen like he didn’t need to prep anything for tonight. I guess it makes sense as to why I always have to do so much when I come in for the dinner shift on the days he works.

I prefer it when Mary works before me. She always sets me up nicely and it allows me to just get going with making the meals as the orders come in. Lance stopped in his tracks when he saw me. He grinned. “Oh, baby you didn’t have to come in early to spend time with me. You know I am available whenever you want me,” he said. I cringed a little at being called baby and what he was insinuating, but he really is a nice guy. He has helped me on more than one occasion and has been someone to talk to when I needed someone. I really don’t know my aversion to dating him. He is good looking. He has nice dirty blonde hair with blue eyes with a smidge of green specks.

He’s nicely built for his body, and he definitely likes to have fun and jokes a lot. I half smiled at his comment and went about tying my apron around me and placing a hair net on my head to cover my hair. I moved to the prep table and picked up a potato and began peeling it before slicing it into smaller chunks. I’m going to make Sheppard’s pie tonight as the specialty plate. I try to have a specialty plate each night aside from the normal menu items. I know it is summer, but I just love Sheppard’s pie. It is easy and filling.

I was so lost in filling dinner orders I hardly noticed Amy coming in and out. Lance stayed tonight to help out since Adrian and his friends had come to town and the amount of dinners had, picked up due to them. I hope he doesn’t waste what money he probably inherited from his dad when he passed away. Big John has talked about Mr. James and that he was well off and generous. I have heard constantly on documentaries of people who have lost their fortunes because they wasted everything. Eventually, his money will dry up, or he won’t be able to do as he pleases with the land and may have to sell some just to finish developing the land.

I know I would be careful if I had a few million dollars. Heck, I’d be careful if I had a couple thousand dollars. I was preparing the meals for his group when I nearly dropped the plate I was working on. I looked up and he was standing across from me. Lucky, I had the plate over and close to the countertop, so it just clanged a little loudly and the roll was the only thing that fell off and rolled across the countertop.

“I’m sorry.” He said. I just stared at his chest and nodded slightly. I began making the plate again with a fresh roll. He didn’t move away. “Your food will be ready momentarily,” I said as I looked at the food in front of me waiting to be put on their plates. “Okay.” He replied and still stood there. It was becoming unnerving. “Did you want something else?” I asked, referring to the food. “No. I wanted to ask why you didn’t text or call me?” He said. “About what?” I tried to play it off as if I had no clue what he was asking me.

“About tomorrow. You said you would help and show us around the land. I told you to text or you could have called me with what time is good for you.” He replied. “Oh, I’m sorry I forgot all about that. I made plans to go out of town in the morning.” I lied. “Can you cancel? If this is about being paid for your service, I will pay you for the day to show us. I really need to get a layout of the land so I can find the place to begin building our houses on.” He said a little desperately. “Uh.” I began.

I wanted to refuse, but if it means I can get him out of Black Moon faster, then maybe I won’t have to leave before he maybe figures out who I am. I sighed and groaned heavily. “Fine, ten o’clock out front of here. If you are one minute late, I am leaving.” I said. He bent his head some to look me more in the eyes as much as he could. “Ten it is.” He said. He left then and I sighed carefully to not attract Lance’s attention.

“What did he want?” Lance asked. “He is going to develop the land somewhere and he needs a guide to help show him around. I agreed to show him though I don’t really want to.” I told Lance. “So, don’t show up.” He said. “If I show him, it means him and his friends will leave Black Moon and things can get back to normal around here.” I said. Lance paused and thought and then nodded his agreement. “Make sure he keeps his hands off my girl.” He said. “I’m not your girl Lance.” “Oh yes you are. You just haven’t realized it yet,” he replied. He had a serious look on his face for a few seconds before grinning. I really would’ve thought in those few seconds he was completely serious. I smiled and chuckled softly.

Lance and I finished putting away the last of the dishes. “Do you want a ride home?” Lance offered as he took his apron off. “No, I’m going to go talk to Big John really quick and he’ll probably give me a ride.” I said. “Okay.” He replied and clocked out and left out the kitchen door. I clocked out and waited five minutes before peeking out the kitchen door to see if Lance’s car was gone yet. It was, so I put my headphones on and made my way home.

I made my way into the entrance to the apartment building I had left from earlier and climbed the stairs to my apartment on the second floor. I unlocked my door and went in and locked it again behind me. I kicked off my shoes and took my headphones off, laying them on my table. I made my way to my fridge to find something to eat. I still had some turkey lunch meat and cheese, so I began grabbing what I would need to make a sandwich.

Big John and I came to an agreement years ago. He says I can eat a meal while working, but I was always paying for them. He didn’t like that I would tuck the money in a deposit bag and deposit it into the bars business account at the bank. He really left me no choice. So, he stopped pressing and I decided to stop eating at work. I’m grateful to them, but I still need to make it on my own. Many think I don’t pay for my apartment, but I do.

I became complacent all those years ago and that led to my need to get away until it was almost too late. I pushed those thoughts aside as I made my late dinner. Reliving them once today was enough. I made a couple of sandwiches and put everything back where it belonged. I took my plate and plopped down on my couch and turned my small TV on. I found something to watch and sat there eating dinner and relaxing until it was time for bed. I took care of my plate, cleaning and rinsing it off.

I went to my bedroom and began stripping and getting ready for bed. I sat on the left side of my bed and reached over to pick my alarm clock up. I set it for nine. That should give me enough time to get a shower and walk back to the bar before he should meet me. I pulled my covers over me after settling myself in my bed. I reached up and turned the light off.

I almost had to take a cold shower when my alarm went off. If I thought my dreams and fantasies of him were bad before, they were so much worse last night as in a lustful burn the bed down kind of dream that most women fantasize about sometimes. I just need to get through today and then soon I’ll be rid of him. I took a quick shower, and got dressed, and went into my kitchen to get a drink of water. I gulped it down fast and then I moved to my closet by the door, grabbing my hiking boots. I moved to the couch to put my boots on.

I grabbed my smaller backpack out of the closet that had all my hiking equipment I might need in it. I filled my huge water bottle with enough water to last for several hours. I know I won’t be hiking too much, but there will still need to be some hiking where any vehicle can’t get through. I added a couple of apples to my pack, some jerky I keep on hand, and some cranberry raisins. I grabbed my almonds and scooped some into a baggie. I popped a couple into my mouth to eat while I finished up. I was almost about to run late, so I grabbed the last few things I was bringing and opened my door to my apartment to leave.

I walked into a wall of chest. Adrian was standing there looking like he was about to knock on my door. I had got knocked back and it threw me off balance enough. I fell and landed on my a** with a thud. My keys flew out of my hand and slid under my table. “I’m so sorry.” He apologized. He set the tray of coffee and a paper bag he had sitting between the coffees on my table and reached his hand down to help me up. I ignored his hand and got to my knees and began crawling under my table to get my keys.

They were almost dead center under the table. I grabbed them and wiggled my way backwards out from under the table. I got myself up and he grabbed my arm to help me stand. I shrugged out of his grip. “What are you doing here?” I demanded angrily. “I wanted to bring you some coffee and some danishes for breakfast and, as a way of saying thanks for helping me,” he replied.

“No, what are you doing at my apartment?” I demanded. “Oh, I was outside in the parking lot, and I saw you go inside last night. I tried to catch up to you, but you were already closing the door and I heard you lock it. I figured I would leave you be and just bring you breakfast and that way you wouldn’t have to walk to the bar this morning to meet me.” He replied.

I internally groaned. I just wanted to get home last night. I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings. I chided myself to pay attention in the future. He was pulling small things of cream and sugar out of the bag. “I didn’t know how you liked your coffee. I usually just ask for cream and sugar on the side for my workers so they can make it how they want.” He was explaining to me. They are his workers. That’s interesting. I didn’t know he owned a business. “Uh, I don’t drink coffee much, but I guess light with a sugar alternative.” I replied.

He had a look of horror because he probably didn’t have a sugar alternative in the bag. I shook my bag off my shoulders and went to my cupboard where I keep mine. I grabbed a few packets and made my way back to my table. He set a coffee in front of me, and I proceeded to make it the way I like my coffee. I went back to my cupboard and grabbed one of my sugar-free hot chocolate packets. I took it back and tore it open on the side and poured a little bit in my coffee. He was staring at me. I raised the packet to him, and he took it.

I saw him pour about the same amount I had poured into my coffee into his. He set the packet down and I lifted it to roll it up and then went to put it in a small baggie to keep it fresher. He finished stirring his coffee and had placed the lid back on. I picked up one of the stirrers to stir my coffee. I heard his noise of approval after taking a sip of his coffee. He pulled out the danishes and I brought two plates. He set one on my plate and one on his before taking the plate from me. I gestured for him to sit.

We sat there and ate in silence. As I was finishing my danish, there was a knock at my door. I got up and opened it a crack to see who it was. It was his friend that usually stays close. “Hi. I’m Collin. I was just checking to see if Adrian was still here.” He said. I opened the door wider. “We’re about finished.” Adrian told Collin. “I’ll be at the truck then,” Collin replied. Adrian dug in his pocket and tossed Collin his keys.

Collin caught them easily. “Is that your bag?” He asked, gesturing to my backpack I had set on my chair. I nodded. “I’ll bring that down to the truck for you.” He said and grabbed it and left. Adrian stood and picked his coffee up. “We should get going.” He stated. “I’ll meet you in the parking lot.” I said. He grabbed the bag the danishes were in and started to make his way out the door. I moved to clean up my table and he started to turn, I think, to help. “I got it. I’ll be just a few minutes.” I said, and he decided to leave.

I cleared the plates and washed them quickly. I moved to my bathroom to use it before I left. I grabbed my keys off my table and checked my pocket for my phone. When I was satisfied, I had what I needed, I opened my door to leave again. This time I didn’t run into a wall of Adrian’s chest. That chest smelled so good though. The thought crept into my mind. I locked my door and forced any thoughts of Adrian, especially those that reminded me of the dreams last night, down to the depths of my thoughts. I have a job to do today and that is to get Adrian out of my life as fast as possible. I’m glad his friend is coming with us.

I saw Adrian standing by his truck looking towards the door. He waved his arm to get my attention, as if a gorgeous man wasn’t attention-grabbing enough. Brain you have got to stop. I thought to myself. Besides, you know that Amy likes him, and Amy is more his type and age than I am. I reinforced the facts to myself. I walked across the parking lot to his truck. I moved to the passenger side and opened the back door to climb into the backseat. I jumped back as Collin was sitting there staring down at me. I realized he probably could see a little down my shirt, so I tried to turn to prevent as much of the view he would gain.

“You need to sit up front so you can show Adrian the way.” He said and smiled. I nodded and closed the door. I opened the passenger door and climbed in nervously to be sitting so close to him. I plastered myself to the door and put my seat belt on while maintaining as much of a distance without looking as if I was trying to keep my distance. “You want to head about three miles that way to the edge of town. I pointed to where he needed to go. He backed out and I just focused on looking out my window to guide him to where he needed to drive. This is going to be a long day, I thought.