Stockholm Syndrome? - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

The night air was chilly. It may have been summer, but it still got a little cold at night. Stella insisted I wear my new jacket. She was the one who spotted it, and even though it was my decision to buy it, she took credit for it. She wanted to flaunt it to the world. She even said it might get me a date. It was a joke, but it didn't seem like a terrible idea with the way things were between Lennox and I.
Leon had stuck to his word and borrowed Stella his car. Even though Stella and I had tidied her room to a point where there was nothing out of place, Stella still took more time than was necessary to choose what to wear. She left the place a mess and I felt bad for the apartment-mate she hoped to have in college.
She picked me up before she dressed. I had been about to backup the pictures I had taken with my phone when she arrived. Apparently I had to watch her get dressed. Being the gay best friend had its disadvantages. Not only was I up to date with fashion trends, she pretty much just walked in the room in her underwear. I bet if she had a boyfriend, he would have a lot to say about that.
Stella settled for a black short dress with a wide skirt, maroon stockings, black platform heel ankle boots and black leather jacket; accessorized with a gold long layered chain necklace ending in two angel wings.
Luckily for her, Stella found me ready when she picked me up. I didn't spend time on my outfit, settling for a faded jean, checked red shirt, boots and my new leather and suede black jacket. Stella said I looked so good I was doing females an injustice by being gay. I grinned and told her the gays of the world needed me too.
The ride to Caleb's house was smooth. Stella had the top down because she loved how her hair flew in the wind. That meant my hair flew in the wind too. At the end of the ride I had tousled hair almost like a rocker, something that was not me. Stella adjusted a few hairs and told me I looked perfect.
Caleb's house sounded like a concert. Music was blaring from the inside, diffusing through the walls. You could hear voices as people tried to communicate with each other. It was clear the party was well underway.
Stella and I walked through groups of people, greeting some. The main party was on the other side of the entrance, where the bonfire was crackling. Seeing the bonfire brought back memories of junior and senior year. Bonfires were a given whenever we won a soccer match, and we'd won a lot. Despite our school having many sporting codes to choose from, soccer was adored by many, and rightfully so. We were the most successful team the school had.
Many a times Len and I snuck away from the main group so we could just have a moment to ourselves, usually just standing on the side in his arms while we listened to the commotion the team and guests always caused.
"Archer!" Stella hissed.
I cocked a brow in irritation. "What?"
"I said I'm going to get us some drinks", she said.
I smiled back at her as I walked over to the bonfire. Numerous greetings were said and summer holiday stories shared. Stella and Clark were my closest friends at the school, but I knew most of the seniors and had talked to most. Right, graduates.
I listened to the jokes and stories and made comments. Stella returned to me with a glass of what I realized was beer after I tasted it. We talked to most guys and girls and danced. It was fun. I warned Stella about getting drunk again when she went to get more drinks. It was clear I was the designated driver.
Stella left my side. I danced alone for a minutes. When Stella didn't return, I went in search of her. I entered the house through the glass sliding door. I looked around and spotted Stella talking to a guy who had a crush on her. I decided to give them time. Just as I was about to go back to the bonfire, I spotted a familiar face. All the faces at the party were familiar, but that one was too familiar.
Len was leaning against the wall that held the main door of Caleb's house. He was holding a beer can in his hand, seemingly not paying that much attention to it.
I walked over to him. He hadn't seen me because he looked surprised when I just appeared in front of him. Even his startled expression couldn't hide his gorgeous face.
"Hi", I said.
"Uh...hi", he said.
You would swear we were strangers. I leaned over to give him a small kiss. I thought that would alleviate the tension, but it didn't.
"You came", I said.
"You came too", he said. We were both accusing each other of something; we just didn't say it aloud.
"Yeah, I changed my mind. Mom has aerobics, so I was going to be alone", I said.
He nodded. I waited for him to talk, but he didn't. Frustration slowly brewed inside of me. The silence intensified. It couldn't have been long, but it felt like ages. If this was how it was going to be, dating a plastic doll was better!
"So...are you going to say anything? I called you yesterday and you didn't answer. You didn't call back either", I said, struggling to maintain my composure. I had to raise my voice too, which was not ideal.
I opened the door and pulled him outside. We walked towards the sidewalk. We could still hear the music but it wasn't as loud.
"So?" I said
He sighed.
"Baby, right now I don't know what's going on with us. I'm trying here, so meet me halfway. Is it because of college? Are you scared of the long-distance? We..." I said but he cut in.
"I...I want to date other people".
He dropped a bombshell. But given his behavior of late, it wasn't really a bombshell. Whatever it was, it stung. For a few seconds I just looked at him.
"What...what do you mean?" I asked a stupid question. I knew what he meant. He was breaking up with me.
"Archer we had a good run. But we are going off to college, in different states. We don't know who we'll meet there. I don't want to be tied down by a long distance relationship. I'll hardly see you", he said. He seemed desperate to get that message across.
"How long have you been feeling this way?" I asked slowly. My voice sounded strained. It wasn't a surprise, I felt like I had been given a blow to the chest.
"For months now", he said quietly.
"So you decided to just string me along? You cancelled our plans with pathetic reasons and agreed to a reschedule! When were you planning on telling me how you felt?" I shouted.
He didn't say anything, just looked guiltily at the ground.
"You weren't, where you?!" I exploded. "You were hoping to avoid me until we left for college. You came here because I told you I wasn't coming! Did you think our relationship would just die down?"
"I was going to tell you. I just...it was hard for me to hurt you. I tried not to", he said softly.
"Well you failed! By trying not to hurt me, you've done exactly that. You are worse than that woman..." I choked on my words. It was then I realized my cheeks were wet.
I turned away from Len.
"Archer!" he shouted as I walked away from him.
"Don't talk to me, not right now", I hissed.
My connection to Len had been dwindling, but I hadn't been prepared to entirely extinguish the flame. A part of me had hoped that we could work things out. I didn't love him as much as some point in our relationship, but I still loved him. I had the foundation. Love wasn't static. It needed to be nurtured. If Len tried...
I realized I was walking away from the house. Len had stopped talking to me. It wasn't his nature to insist on anything anyway. He was probably glad I hadn't continued the conversation. I looked back to find him nowhere in sight.
I continued walking along the sidewalk and broke into a jog. I needed to clear my mind and stop crying. I needed to be away from Len.
I couldn't have run for long before I stopped running and resumed walking. I was getting hot. The clothes I was wearing weren't ideal for jogging. I took off my jacket and held it.
Away from Caleb's house, the streets were quiet. The lights were on, but not too bright. I didn't spot a soul as I walked. I was getting further and further away from Caleb's house, something that bothered me at the back of my mind. As much as I needed fresh air, walking alone in the middle of the night wasn't safe.
I looked behind me cautiously and spotted a black car. I couldn't make out what make it was. It was slow at first but sped past me. I released a sigh of relief. Maybe it was about time I turned back.
I did, and walked for only a few seconds before I heard the sound of a car horn behind to me. It startled me, and my heart beat at an uncomfortable rate. I put a hand to my chest, foolishly hoping that slowed my heart down.
I looked to where the sound originated. It was the black car I saw earlier, facing the direction to Caleb's house. I could swear the car sped by me. Was I hallucinating?
The driver's window lowered. I wondered if I should run. I didn't get to instruct my legs as a familiar face greeted me.
"Hi!" the person said enthusiastically.
"Hi", I said, trying to match the enthusiasm but failing miserably.
"Do you need a ride?" the man asked smiling at me.
He seemed nice. But I couldn't trust him. I'd only met him the previous day, and only briefly. I could remember the number one rule that had been echoed at my kindergarten: Don't get into a stranger's car.
I shook my head politely.
"Hop in. I'm guessing you are going to the party I passed? I can drop you there". His smile was warm, his voice velvety.
"No thanks, I prefer walking. It's nice out here", I said. "And oh, didn't you just speed by me in the other direction?" I asked pointing at the direction away from Caleb's house, the one I had just turned from.
"I did. I didn't even see you. I realized I forgot something so I'm going back home to get it", he said. "...Which reminds me, I didn't check the trunk"
He popped the trunk and got out of the car. Now that he wasn't wearing his jogging gear, I could see how masculine his body was. I don't know why the hell he complained about competing with 18 year old, his body seemed way better than his peers and most 18 year olds.
"It was nice seeing you again", he said as he stood over his trunk. He closed the trunk gently.
"You too", I said.
I started walking away.
"Hey wait!" he shouted.
I stopped walking and he caught up to me.
"Do you know...?" he said.
I listened intently, but before I knew it, he had his arm tightly around my neck. His other hand grabbed my waist from behind tightly. I didn't get a second to react before he put a piece of cloth over my nose and mouth. I struggled against him but to no avail. I knew what the wet piece of cloth was soaked in and so I tried not to breathe. All the while I thought about how this couldn't be happening. Terror gripped me and I in turn tried to grasp my assailant's hand. I couldn't allow myself to think of what awaited me if I gave in.
The sweet and pungent smell of chloroform hit my nostrils, making me struggle even more. It was like fighting with a brick wall. I couldn't resist anymore. I took a much-needed deep breath. Within seconds my extremities began to go numb. I could no longer hold on to my jacket. Neither could I support my weight. I slumped against the guy. Seconds after that, I couldn't see or hear anymore. I couldn't do or feel anything.