"Are you coming already?" cried Mack. "What's taking you so long?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming. What's the rush? It's only a nightclub." I replied. I wasn't a big fan of clubbing and parties, well... I didn't like them at all but Mackenzie was the one who had a birthday and I promised that on that day I'll do whatever she wants. Or at least if it's not too wild.
"It's not ONLY a nightclub. It's the best nightclub in the whole city". Mack pushed her up from the couch when I finally came out the bathroom. "Finally! I thought we'd never make it."
"Ok. Let's go!" I crabbed the keys and locked the door on our way out.
"We should go out more often. We deserve it. The semester is almost over and we've been working really hard. Or at least you have." She giggled. "You know, I can't wait for the summer. I'm going to party every day."
"Not me!" I stated. "And not you either, I hope. We can do many interesting things but partying is not one of them. And besides this summer I would like to go back home to Austria and I would really REALLY love if you'd come with me."
"To Austria? Of course I'll come. "
"Cool."
As expected the line was quite long by the club and I felt so uncomfortable. The girls were wearing tiny clothes and boys, well they thought they are super cool and tried to hit on every girl who looked like she's single.
"Mack! I don't like here. Can we go somewhere else?"
"Nooo. We haven't even got in yet. Besides, you promised me that you would come to the club with me. Please, it's my birthday. And maybe we'll meet some cute guys and can go somewhere else with them" Mack pleaded me to stay.
"Cute guys? Look at these. I don't want to go anywhere with these guys. They are so immature and their jokes aren't even funny." I said pointing to the guys in front of us also waiting to get in the club.
"We don't have to go with THEM. Maybe there is some guy inside, looking for you. " I could see that Mack really tried to cheer me up. And to be honest, I haven't been dating since I got here two years ago. I would love to meet someone nice and caring, but I was quite sure it's not going to happen in this club. "Please! Let's stay. Just for awhile. And if you still hate it, we can leave. Ok?"
"Oh, alright. It's just one night and I can stay for a while."
"Thank you, thank you so much. I promise you won't regret it." Mack cheered.
"How can you promise something like that?"
"I'll to my best to entertain you."
"I should be the one who's entertaining you. Not vice versa." I said.
"I know, but I also know that you hate clubbing and I'll try to show you the good things about it." Mack replied with a smile.
May 21st,
"Hi diary,
That night in the club was actually very nice. And Mack was right. I did meet somebody. He's name is John and he's two years older than me. We talked and danced and did some more talking. He looks like a nice guy. We're going to go out on Friday night. Mack met a guy too. I can't remember his name though. But who can blame me? I had eyes only for John. He's very handsome. He has hazel eyes and brown hair. He's athletic and quite tall. Lot taller than me. He used to play baseball in high school and got a sport scholarship for college. John and Mack's date are friends. Right now he works in some kind of advertisement agency with Mack's date. I think his name's Zack. He is couple of years older than John but Mack said she doesn't mind and she actually likes older guys. The age difference is only 5 years so it's not that bad but I can't imagine myself dating more than 10 years older guy. It's like dating a father or so. Anyway we had a nice evening. I have to go now. Talk to you soon."
As I closed my diary, I could hear a doorbell. For my surprise John was behind the door with a huge bouquet of flowers.
"Hi babe! How are you this morning?" John marched in not even waiting for the invitation. When he turned around, he gave me a hug. I have to say I didn't like the idea of him calling me babe and him marching in like that but I tried my best, I smiled and thanked him for the flowers.
"Thanks for the flowers. They are beautiful. How did you know where I live? We just met, like two days ago." I was little upset but tried hard not to show it.
"Oh! Zack told me. He said that Mackenzie shares an apartment with you. You're not upset now, are you?"
"No, no. It's just... we just met and…"
"Don't you like me?" John asked pulling me very close to him.
"It's not that" I tried to explain at the same time pushing him away but he didn't want to let go. "Please let me go!"
"But I want to hold you close." He said and tightened his grip.
"That's very sweet but it's moving too fast. I want to take it slowly. Learn to know you first". I was feeling really uncomfortable now. And to be honest, if he's so aggressive then I don't want to be with him at all.
"Hey, come on babe! Don't fight now. We both know you have hots for me." He was getting really rough and all I could do was to push him away. I felt sick and he was the last person I wanted to be around right now.
"Please stop. And don't call me babe. I'm not your babe." I finally managed to get free. "Are you drunk or high?" I asked walking to the door and opened it. I wanted him to leave.
"Oh, yes you are. At least when I'm done with you." he walked back to me and slammed the door shut. That startled me and to make things worse he kissed me roughly by pushing me against the door.
"Stop it" I shouted. But he didn't. He was so strong and I had a feeling I won't win this fight. I was so scared. Something in his eyes told that this morning is going to end badly.
I don't know what happened next but when I opened my eyes I wasn't home anymore. The room looked more like a hospital room and I laid on the bed wearing only hospital gown. My head was aching badly and there were marks on my wrists. I had no idea how these marks had gotten there and it frightened me a lot.
"Oh, you're awake miss." The lady with a blond hair said. "My name is Liz and I'm the nurse. You don't need to be afraid of me. " she continued with a smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Umm…My head hurts. Where am I? What happened?"
"You're at St. Luke's – Roosevelt hospital. You were found unconscious in your apartment and brought here. Two detectives are waiting outside. They want to talk to you when you're ready."
"Detectives? I don't know what happened. I don't remember" I said. I really don't know. I have no clue.
"Maybe they can help you with that." The nurse said quietly, not to upset me more.
"Ok. They may come in".
"Alright. I'll go get you something for the headache."
"Thanks!"
The nurse gave me assuring nod and said that everything will be ok. How does she know that? How can anybody know that? I could hear her talking outside and few seconds later two people stepped in. I was little intimidated at first but the curly hair woman was very nice and the man next to her seemed quite pleasant too. The look on his face was serious and it made me little uncomfortable though but I wasn't afraid of them.
"Hello. My name is detective Stella Bonasera and this is detective Taylor. We would like to ask you some questions if that's ok." She was very gentle and seemed concerned.
"I don't know what to say. I can't remember anything that happened."
"That's ok. What is the last thing you do remember?" detective Taylor asked.
"Umm.. I was at home. I was writing my diary and I heard a doorbell. A guy who I had met few days ago in the club was there…. He brought me flowers and said that he wanted to see me… He got really rough. He started kissing me and I felt very bad. I wanted him to leave but he didn't… I … I…" I was getting upset and I couldn't go on. Forming the sentences were hard. Just thinking about it made me angrier. "How could I be so stupid to let him in?"
"It's not your fault. You didn't know he could harm you." Detective Bonasera said. "Do you know his name?"
"Yeah. It's a... it's John Lawrence. He said he works in an advertisement company on East side."
"Can you describe him. How he looks like and what was he wearing?"
"He's about 6 feet tall, hazel eyes and brown hair. He's quite athletic. He said that he used to play baseball in high school and in college." Detective Bonasera had sat on the bed next to me and put her arm around my shoulders. I felt safe. I didn't know her but I could talk to her. She made me feel very comfortable. She made me miss my mom.
"Can you remember anything specific about him? Any scars or piercings?" detective Taylor asked now. He was lot friendlier and didn't seem so official.
"No. I'm sorry. Can you tell me what happened" It was my turn to ask questions now. I didn't want to go on with my story.
"We're not sure yet. We are still working on the scenario. But it looks like we are looking for the same guy who has insulted young girls sexually before." He said quietly. He came closer and sat on a chair by the bed. He was getting serious again. "The DNA we collected from your apartment tells us that he's the guy we're looking for. You're very lucky girl. The other girls didn't make it."
I felt sick again and to be honest it didn't make me feel better. It scared me. If he finds out that I'm alive but not supposed to then there's a chance he'll come to finish his job. I was getting anxious.
"But to be sure we need to examine you and take some pictures for the case. It won't hurt." detective Bonasera added.
"No no no. I don't want to do that." I jumped off the bed and walked to the window. I felt terrified and the tears were running down my cheeks.
"I know it sounds awful and makes you uncomfortable but it can help us to catch the guy and lock him up." I could hear her coming closer to me. She put her arm around me again and made ma turn around.
"I'll stay with you if it would make you feel better" she said with smile. I nodded almost unnoticeably. "Mac, can you wait me outside?"
"Mack? My friend Mack. Mackenzie Johnson. Where is she?" I realized that all that time I hadn't asked about her.
"Um… We don't know anything about her." Detective Taylor said.
"We share the apartment. We're roommates. She was with me when I met John. She went on a date with his friend last night and didn't come home for the night."
"Do you know his name?" detective Bonasera asked.
"Zack. I don't know his last name. They said that they work together."
"Alright. I'll call Flack and let him start looking for her right away. Don't worry, will find her and the guys who hurt you." He walked out and left me with detective Bonasera alone.
"Is she alright?" I managed to ask. I was so scared again that something bad might have happened to her too. They said they are looking for him.
"I don't know sweetie. But we'll do everything we can." She's so nice. I haven't had many contacts with law enforcement before but if they are all as nice as she is then I could get my faith back.
She asked me to sit on my bed again and took some pictures of me. There was a cut on my forehead and she needed to document it. Also pic of my wrists and fingers. When she finished, she stayed with me until the nurse was done collecting the evidence and the whole time she tried to make me feel better and not to think about what was going on. She asked about my life and family. And I told her. Usually I would've not done that. But with her I felt safe and in peace.
"What's going to happen next?" I asked when the nurse had left and we were alone again.
"I need to take these samples back to the lab and I'll hope will get the guy."
"Will he come after me when he finds out that I'm alive?" I was really concerned and frightened.
"It's possible. I'm going to apply a witness protection program for you and you'll get a bodyguard."
I nodded in understanding and layed back down on my bed.
"Would You like to call your mom or anybody to let You know whereYyou are and that You're ok?" She asked quietly.
"No. I don't want to scare my mom and only person who would worry about me right now is Mack and I don't even know if she's ok. I'm the one who is worried about her now." I tried to collect myself and not to be so weak. If police needs my help finding her then I'll do it and I'll fight back if he comes after me. I felt so strong suddenly. Was it because I had talked to somebody or just the last desperation, I don't know. But I also felt like I just had made a new friend in this big city so far away from my home and loved ones.
TBC
