The UnKnown (A Novel) (2 page)

“Put it on my bill,” a voice behind me said.

I turned around, and it was him. My tongue was tied. I couldn’t speak. He was so dreamy. He was the most incredible man I had ever laid eyes on. My eyes followed the length of his body and landed right on his chest. His shirt tightly hugged his body giving off the perfect physique. Drifting upward, I met the most deep blue eyes. Those intense eyes seemed like they could see right through me. Finally finding my words, and my mind, I shook my head. “No thanks. I can get it,” was all I managed to say.

“Don’t be silly.” He plopped the money down on the counter before I had a chance to stop him. “It’s just a bottle of water.”

“Thank you very much.” I snatched the water off the counter taking one last glance over my shoulder at him. Heading out the door I wondered who Mr. Hottie was and where he was headed. I pushed the thought of him out my mind. Pulling out my cowboy hat and sitting on the curb, I thought about what my next move would be. 

“I overheard your conversation.” I jumped from the voice behind me. I knew it was him. “I am heading east towards Florida, if you would like a ride.”

 Why does this man want to help me? I looked at him questioningly. “Why would you help me? You have no idea who I am.” And for all I know you could be a serial killer. The man in question just smiled and giggled to himself.  That smile was amazing and made him even more beautiful than he already was. He had the most perfect white teeth and the deepest dimples. I couldn’t stop staring at him. 

“You just seem like you need some help. And I assure you, I am no serial killer,” he said softly.

“And that is exactly what a serial killer would say,” I whispered back.

“I’m trying to be nice, but it’s up to you. I will be leaving in about five minutes. You see that black car over there?” He pointed to a large black Escalade with chrome wheels. “I will be in it and leaving after I make my phone call. The choice is yours, Peaches.” He winked as he walked away.

I had no other way of getting to Florida other than hitchhiking, and that was really dangerous. I had to put my faith in God’s hands to make sure I was safe.  I did have a can of Mace and a small knife I took from the kitchen while no one was watching. The house wasn’t the safest of places. There were children in and out all the time, and some were not so nice.

A few minutes later, I saw Mr. Hottie start his car. He was beginning to drive off when I jumped up and began to run after him.

“Stop! Stop!” I screamed at him. I saw the red break lights and thanked my lucky stars that he saw me. He jumped out the driver side door laughing. What the hell was I doing? This guy could be a serial killer. I hoped not because he was so very gorgeous.

“So you decided to join me?” Laughing while he said it. I shook my head yes. “Here, let me get your bag and put it in the back.” He grabbed the bag and opened the back of the car. It was full of bags and stuff. I saw a radio, TV, and all sorts of other things. I wondered if he was moving. The mystery guy put my bag in and moved around to the passenger side to hold the door open. I looked at him.

“Come on. Let’s get going.” I walked over and slid in. He closed the door, proceeded over to the driver's side and put the expensive car in drive, pulling onto the highway. The inside of the car was immaculate. It was the most beautiful truck I had ever seen. The interior was made of leather, and the dashboard looked like something out of an airplane. The dashboard has so many buttons and whistles I didn’t know the radio from the GPS system. The last car I was in was very generic. It still had an AM and FM Radio. I was afraid to touch anything, so I just laid my hands in my lap and stared out the window.

“The name is Drake Mitchell. What’s your name, Beautiful?” Oh, he is charming. I knew these games far too well. If I had any sense I would think he was flirting with me. He was obviously slumming it. I watched TV and knew how some rich people went below their class to get a piece of tail.

“Misty,” was all I said, as I pulled the seat belt across my lap.

“Well, Misty, what are you doing traveling all alone? It’s a dangerous world out there.” Drake looked good in his black fitted tee and blue jean shorts. He also seemed very easy going. Most rich people (I assumed he was rich) were stuffy and rude.

I had run into a few of them at the high school I attended. They never spoke to anyone that wasn’t in their clique and teased others who appeared to be different. I hated those types.  There was a girl named Tina who would give me hell every day because I had to wear the same clothes over and over again. I used to keep my head low and just try to get through the day. Sometimes that would work, other times I would end up in a fight. One day, I beat Tina so bad I broke her jaw and rib. She was sent to the hospital in an ambulance.  She kept pushing me. I didn’t agree with violence, but sometimes people are just pushed to their limits. I got suspended for two weeks and ended up with a hundred hours of community service. I apologized to Tina when I returned to school. Of course she shunned me and didn’t accept my apology. This was one of the reasons I wanted to become a teacher. I wanted to stop some of the bullying in schools. The teachers really didn’t give a flip that Tina was bothering me.

“Hello? Earth to Misty,” Drakes voice broke me out of my trance.

“I’m traveling to go visit my aunt. She lives in Sunnydale, Florida.”

“What a coincidence, that’s exactly where I’m headed. I just graduated from the University of Texas and I am heading home.” He said sounding surprised

“A college man huh? Congratulations. What did you study?” I asked him.

“Art literature. My parents were not too happy about it. They think it’s a wasted degree. My father wanted me to be a lawyer like he is, but that doesn’t make me happy,” he said. I saw the passion in eyes.

“Are you an artist? I love art, although I can’t draw.” Frowning at the thought at how bad my art is. The best I could do is stick figures.

“Not an artist, but I love all things art. I love to look at and study it. I am hoping to have my own gallery someday.” That was very ambitious of him. Art galleries were not doing so well these days.

“Great dream. I hope to go to college one day and study history. I want to become a history teacher.” I knew that was dull and boring, but I loved history and wanted to share it with young minds. My history teacher in high school was wonderful, and I loved everything about it.

“A teacher, huh? That’s a tough field with the kids nowadays.” His voice rose a question of surprise that I wanted to be a teacher.

“Yeah I know, but it’s what I want.” He nodded and we rode in silence for the next hour. This was going to be a long drive not knowing the stranger next to me.

Chapter 2

Drake

I was so captivated by her beauty the minute I saw her by the pay phone. Her strawberry red hair and green eyes were a vision. She had to be young because she looked as innocent and pure as the driven snow. I had heard her telephone conversation and decided to give her a ride. I was hoping she would take me up on it. I had been driving for hours and could really use the company. Plus, she looked so afraid, and all I wanted to do was protect her. Why was she traveling across country by herself? She needed someone to protect her and to be there for her. Was I that man? Who was I kidding? I could barely take care of myself. I had always put up a façade instead of showing who I really was. I acted stuck up with my friends, which in hindsight, I realized I couldn’t care less about money. I just wanted to be happy like everyone else.

 I had just finished summer school and was heading home. Well, if you could call it that. I was dreading the idea of returning there, but I had no other choice since I was a hundred percent dependent on my parents. Parents, ha, what a joke. They had never been there for me for as long as I could remember. Our house keeper, Anna, was the one who raised my brother and me. My parents were always too busy to take care of us. They were always traveling or attending parties. I remember one evening Sean and I were playing in the laundry room and the iron was on for some reason. It fell on me and burned the skin right off my shoulder. Sean went to go find our parents, but they were nowhere to be found. He had to call 911 because there was no one there. Anna had just returned from the store when the ambulance arrived. She was so frantic when she saw me. She hugged and kissed me like a real mother should.  I will never forget the love that Anna showed me. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know how my life would have turned out. Once we made it to the hospital Anna took care of everything. She got my medicine and tucked me into bed later that night. I never did find out where my parents were that day. That was just a glimpse of the things that happened to me growing up.

 When I looked at Misty, I felt an instant connection to her I had never felt before. It was like all my problems were washed away. She hadn’t come to me as I started to pull away; my heart sank at the fact that I would probably never see her again. When I saw her running I was so excited. I had an entire trip to get to know her. Coincidentally, we were headed to the same town. How perfect was that?

“I can help pay for gas,” she said, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“No need. I was already going this way. I could use the company. It’s been a really long and boring drive. We will stop somewhere overnight.” She looked at me as if I said the world was on fire. “We don’t have to stay in the same room, Peaches. We can get separate ones if you feel more comfortable,” I say to reassure her that she will be safe.

“No offense, but I still don’t know you.” Misty looked at me defensively.

“Well, let’s change that. Ask me anything.” This was going to be a long drive, and I wanted to get to know as much about her as I could.

“Let’s just ride. Do you mind if I turn on the radio?” She is evading the topic of getting to know me. I would have to find something to break the ice.

“Sure.” She hit the radio button and Michael Jackson’s
Beat it
came blaring through.

“I love this song. My mother and I would dance to it every time it came on the radio. We even came up with a dance routine,” she said smiling.

“I will have to see this dance of yours. Maybe you and your mother can teach me.” Her smile faded instantly. Did I say something wrong?? She turned the station.

“What did I say? I am sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.” Apologizing to her made me sound like such a wimp. Who talks to a girl like this after only knowing her a short time?

“It’s nothing you said. My mother and father are dead.” Her voice was at a whisper and I barely made out what she said. Misty’s face turned beet red, and she looked as though she was going to cry.

“I’m sorry, Peaches. How did they die?” I wanted to know more about this mystery woman without making her cry.

 “Car accident, and why do you keep calling me Peaches?” Her voice had returned back to normal. It seemed as though she was trying to change the subject.

“That is terrible. How long ago?” I saw that she didn’t want to talk about it and almost regretted asking the question.

“They died six years ago. And before you ask, I will just get this over with. I was in the foster care system. I have aged out. I had nowhere to go until my aunt answered the phone. I am headed to her hopefully to start my life.” I had no idea what to say. This girl had been through so much in so little time.

Looking at the pain in her eyes I decided it was time for a subject change. “I call you Peaches because you look sweet. The color of your skin reminds me of peaches.”  God I loved to look at her. With her parents dying six years ago, that has to put her at least at eighteen. I need to find out so that I’m not messing with jail bait.

“So, that means you are eighteen?” I asked, hoping that she wasn’t underage. 

 “Yes. I have no idea what I am doing.” She covered her face and began to cry. I pulled the truck over onto the shoulder of the road. I wanted to touch her, to let her know she was not alone. I wanted to be her saving grace.

“Look at me, Misty.” She still had her hands over her face. “Look at me.” I pulled her hands down. Her face was swollen and her eyes were red and puffy.

“It will be ok, Peaches. You are so brave. You are facing this world alone, but look, you are here and making it work. Yes, I know this must be hard, but I will help you as much as I can. You’re not alone anymore.” I wiped the tears from her face. God I wanted to kiss her in that moment, but I knew it was not the right time. I looked at her. “You are so beautiful, Peaches, do you know that? I thought it the minute I saw you.” What the hell was I doing? I barely knew this girl but I felt the need to protect her. I wrapped my arms around her and just let her cry on my shoulder.

“Thank you,” she said as she sniffled. I moved back over to my seat in search of a tissue. I pulled the hand rest up to find a few lying there. I got some out and handed them to her. Getting adjusted to my driving position, I glanced over to make sure she was ok.

 “Please don’t thank me. It is the least I can do. Why don’t you lean back and rest?” I said looking over at her before pulling back onto the highway. She nodded, leaned the seat back and closed those stunning green eyes. As soon as she did I missed them. I knew at that moment I was in a world of trouble.

Chapter 3

Misty

I closed my eyes as Drake suggested. I felt weirdly safe with him. I never felt this way before. When Drake touched my hands, I felt a flash of energy rush through my body. It was a heat that I never felt before. I loved his touch already and it scared the crap out of me. I had only known this man a few short hours and missed his arms around me. They made me feel safe and protected. I was thinking about him when I finally drifted off to sleep. Was it possible to miss someone before you even knew them?

I awoke to the truck pulling off the highway. It was dark out and I saw other cars whizzing by us. I could feel him staring at me but I pretended not to notice. I wished my mom were here right now. It was confusing.  It’s times like these that I wished I had someone to turn to. My parents were always my anchor and I felt like I was cheated because they were taken before their time. I was cheated out of a life of happiness and love. Rubbing my eyes, and trying to focus, I looked to see where we were.