Trust Me
      Chapter 14
 

She stared at the person standing before her and then ran up the stairs. Her hair flew behind her as she fumbled with the keys and tried in vain to open he locked gate. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she felt faint. She choked back tears. Behind her she heard yelling. Then what sounded like a stampede.

Suddenly his hand was on hers. It was a calming touch that startled her. She winced as if in pain and withdrew her hands to bring them closer to her body. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Suddenly everything was quiet around her. The shouting ceased and ten eyes focused on her and waited for her next move.

She turned to her face her captor. A sarcastic laugh erupted from her mouth and a voice that didn't seem to belong to her said, "How nice of you to stop by."

With that she unlocked the door and went inside.

On the street corner, Ray watched as five men stormed the building. He saw guns drawn and heard the shouts. He braced himself for the sound of bullets.

"Michelle...what have I done?"

Isabel Vargas had no idea why she was following Ray. A man she knew nothing about. A man who's face had shown her true fear. Maybe she was intrigued by the look of absolute terror that had crossed his welcoming face when he'd answered his phone. Maybe she wanted to know more about the man with the beautiful smile. It was fate that made her stand up and follow him as he ran crazily through the streets. She watched as he stopped and then uttered those words. So he hadn't been afraid for himself. Michelle? Who is this Michelle? And Why are you so jealous Isabel?

She put her hand on his shoulder.

Her warm hand startled him and caused him to turn abruptly. He brought his hand up and behind his head. Right before he delivered the blow he realized who he had before him. His hands covered his head as he shook with anger. He began pacing back and forth. "Shit..."

"I'm sorry," she tried unsuccessfully to find the words to console him. It was obvious he was beside himself about this woman. Michelle.

"Ray. Can I help you?", she offered.

"No. NO! You should leave.", he nervously stuck his hand in his pocket, looking for his cellular phone. It was gone. Probably lost as he ran.

"Are you looking for this?", in her outstretched hand was his phone.

He grabbed it from her and dialed furiously.

Isabel watched as he continued to anxiously walk back and forth on the side walk, eyeing the building before them.

"Answer. Fuck! Answer your phone.", Then she heard him say,

"Dear Father, grant me her safety. I beg of you. Let her be safe."

She could hear the phone ringing and he continued to pray. This made her even more curious. He obviously was very religious. He seemed to care deeply for this Michelle. Perhaps she was his wife? Why would those men with guns be after her? Who was she? Isabel had too many questions.

"FUCK!" "What am I going to do?", he asked himself. Isabel watched in horror as he suddenly reached down and removed a gun from a strap on his ankle. "Dios Mio." For the first time since she had set her eyes on him she questioned her judgment and admonished herself for being so intrigued by this stranger. What was she getting herself into?

He ran to the entrance of the building. At the door he pointed the gun and cautiously made his way inside. Isabel followed.

Michelle walked into the apartment. She heard the murmuring of the men and then retreating footsteps. He was sending them away. Interesting.

The rooms were enveloped in darkness. Every once and a while a small breeze would come through the room, causing the heavy drapes on the windows to billow slightly. Then the sun's bright rays would enter the room, casting a golden tint to the air.

He looked around. Taking in the scene. The worn kitchen table. The plain white walls. The darkness.

"Whoosh" He reacted to the sound of the opening curtains. She stood by the counter watching him. Her body framed by the glowing sun.

"What do you want?", she asked.

"What do you think?"

"Who cares what I think? Do what you came to do."

"What I came to do.", he repeated.

"Yes! I've spent too much time in here wondering about this. I'd rather it be over with.", her voice was firm.

She stepped to the cabinet and on her tiptoes reached for a glass. Get some water in you. Don't be nervous. Stay calm. She spoke to herself.

Her fingers barely grazed the glass. She stretched some more. As her hand came around the surface, his arms reached up and grabbed the glass from her. He stood directly behind her. She felt his chest against her back. She stood still. Quiet. The only sound was the clipping of the ceiling fan. "Clip...Clip...Clip." Her palms began to sweat. His hand came down to her neck. She squirmed.

"Over? It hasn't even begun yet.", He whispered in her ear.