Random person story

Here's part one of the story I've been writing using the Random Person writing prompt!


The first time I saw him, he was just--there. Though his long, dark hair covered his eyes, I could sense him staring at me, watching my every move. Something about him had seemed different. 
I had been so interested in him that I failed to notice a vehicle swerve dangerously towards me. Too late, I found myself on the cement in extreme pain. Shock surged through me and I blacked out.
Even during that intense moment, I saw him. Blurry visions of him filled my dreams. His face haunted me. I didn't know who he was, or where he came from; little did I know that I would soon come to find that out.

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Waking up was the worst part. I found myself lying in a hospital bed in excruciating pain. I could hardly endure it, but I forced my eyes open. Had I been capable of it, I would have jumped out of bed and screamed. But all I could muster was a wimpy gasp at what I saw.
The young man stood before me, his hair still long, but brushed neatly aside. His soft grey eyes revealed distress and concern. He must have sensed fear amidst my misery, for he spoke, his voice clear and gentle.
"It's okay, I won't harm you."
I was able to muster the strength to speak, my voice sounding something like a sick goat.
"Who are you?"
Every word hurt, like a tornado ripping through a city, only I was the city.
"A friend," was his response.
A friend? I don't even know his name! How can I trust him? I thought. Again, he must have understood my fear, for he spoke, this time anxiously.
"Please, you have to believe me!"
His next words came differently, as though I had thought them, but they weren't my thoughts... They were... His.
"You are in grave danger, Aphria! Twice now your enemies have tried to take your life. I have been able to keep you from major harm, but this time they went too far. They know where you are, and they are seeking right this moment to destroy your life--permanently."
What was he talking about? My name was NOT Aphria, and I didn't have any enemies that I knew of. Well, unless you counted the girl at my work that I accidentally spilled orange soda on, but that was an accident! She had been mad, but not angry enough to threaten my life...
My thoughts continued to wander, fretfully searching for answers. I wanted to speak so badly, but I could no longer. It was just too agonizing. Instead, he just started talking--or thinking--again.
"Trust in me just this once and I will help you to better understand. I can heal you if you'll allow me. I know you don't remember me, but I know you. You and I used to be great friends,"
I sensed regret in his features.
"But that was the past. Please allow me to help you. Maybe we could become friends again, and we could get..."
At this he trailed off, embarrassed.
"I know it is hard for you to believe, but I can help you. I really can. Let me heal you."
I hesitated. There was no way that he could heal me of this injury, and he was already speaking nonsense. But he sounded so sincere that I decided to let him try. After all, I was in a lot of pain.
"Okay," I whispered.
The young man breathed a sigh of relief. "Give me your hand."
I slowly extended my hand to him. His hand clasped mine and I found myself relaxing. Something about this seemed so familiar, so natural. Then, his hand started to glow. My eyes widened as the glowing went from his hand to my injuries and the pain gradually faded away.
I yanked my hand away from his grip.
"How did you... I mean, you... I have to get home!"
I started to get up, struggling with the IV and the other cords around me. I didn't know how he did it, how he healed me, but this was beginning to freak me out. I had to get home, back to my regular life. Away from him.
"No, wait!" The young man said. "I can't let you leave like this. The hospital still thinks you're...you know..." he gestured to the bed that I had just abandoned, cords and medical devices scattered all over. "And I can't allow you leave yet. Your enemies are all over right now! You'd get killed the instant you set foot outside the hospital doors!"
I ignored him and started searching for my clothes. 
"The nurse had your clothes taken away. They were in pretty bad shape after what happened to you. Here, take this." He held out a tote bag full of clothing. I stared at him suspiciously, then snatched the bag and ran to the restroom, locking the door behind me. 
I started to examine the clothing. A faded black double-breasted coat, over the knee brown boots, snug denim jeans, a maroon shirt...oddly enough, all were sized to fit me perfectly. Wow, I thought, This guy has really great taste!
No...What was I thinking? Snap out of it, Shae! He was just some creep who I saw on the street. He could have stolen the clothing, for all I knew!
After dressing, I went to the sink and washed my face. I didn't feel any different, but my face looked pale and worn out. A white scar across my right cheek proved that I had been in an accident. If only I had some makeup to hide it...
"Oh, no," the young man's muffled voice came from behind the door. "Aphria, we have to get out of here! Now!"
I jerked open the door, upset that he was ordering me around. 
"My name is not Aphria!" I started for the exit, but he ran ahead and blocked me. 
"You can't go out that way. They'll see you!"
"I don't care who sees me, I'm going home!" I tried to shove him aside, but he stood firm. "What is your problem? Not even a minute ago you were urging me to leave, and now you're telling me I can't?!" 
He set his jaw. "You can't go out...that way. Three of your enemies are just down the hall, and they're about to discover where you are. If you step out of this room, you're history, and I can't let that happen to you."
I scanned the room for another escape route. The only thing I could find was a window. "And how do you expect me to leave?"
"Isn't it obvious?" He folded his arms and nodded to the window.
Just a single glance out and I knew he was insane. "Whoa, whoa, whoa...There is NO WAY I am going out there! We're at least fifty feet up! Do you think I'm supposed to miraculously survive a fall from this high?"
"What have they done to you?" He muttered angrily.
Suddenly, there came a knock at the door. "Sir, there are a few family members here who would like to see Shae. Would you mind if they visited for a few minutes?"
"Just a moment, please," the young man said. "Aphria, you have to trust me. Let's get out of here while we have the chance!" He walked over to the window and opened it. "Hurry!"
"Sir, is there a problem?" 
"Go!" He urged, then grabbed my hand and practically threw me out the window. I screamed and clutched at the window ledge, my feet dangling. I struggled to find a foothold. I was losing my strength. Any minute now I would fall to my death. My hands slipped off the ledge...and suddenly I was caught by a strong grip. The young man had saved my life!
"Grab onto the rope," he said with frustration. "And don't let go!"
Instantly, I clung to the rope that had suddenly appeared in front of me, holding it so tense my knuckles turned white. I shut my eyes as I swung from it, feeling queasy. 
After several more minutes, I felt my feet touch something solid.
"It's okay, you can open your eyes now."
As I opened my eyes, relief flooded through me. I was standing on the sidewalk bordering the hospital, safe from harm. But that didn't last long, for I heard men shouting from above and behind me and the young man urged me to keep going. "We have to get away from here! Come on!"
I had no other option then to follow.

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Enjoy!

-Jemison Stripes