Once I reach the police station I park my car and bolt up the steps. It's like my mind isn't even thinking and my feet have taken over. Before I open the door, I stop. What am I gonna say? That I just have a gut feeling about this man? I don't even know what has gotten over me.
The only reason that I push open the door and walk into the police station is because I didn't see a lie when he spoke to me. I know when someone is lying to me and for some odd reason; I don't think he was. It might just be my gut instincts, but I want answers. I want to hear the story and think my way through it. There is nothing worse than not knowing when you have the chance. I don't want to regret not taking this leap of faith.
I walk briskly towards the cop at the desk. "Has there been a man taken in here today?" I ask.
"Yes, we got a call he broke into an apartment building. We are booking him now."
"I'd like to bail him out."
We walk out of the station in silence; the stranger and I. He rubs his wrist, frowning displeasingly at the red marks left by the handcuffs. "For a minute I didn't think you were going to come." He starts. "Thought you were going to leave me like last time."
I glance at him briefly as we walk towards the car. Suddenly he stops walking.
"Most people might take your silence as off-putting but I love a challenge" the pirate taunts.
I stop in my tracks a few paces in front in him. Something about what he says sounds so familiar but I can't seem to place it. I can feel his stare stabbing my back. I take a deep breath and then turn around quickly. "Did you park your car near my building?"
The man looks at me and grins mischievously. "Took a cab. Driving doesn't quite suite me. I don't think I will ever have the want or need to learn. I have a question. Last time I was here someone stuck his middle finger up at me. do you know what that means?"
"Who the hell do you think you are?" I proclaim. He stops talking and looks at me puzzled. I am done with this man joking and toying with me. I need to stop being so weak and put my walls back up.
"Killian Jones" he says. "Look I know this must seem crazy but please just hear me out." He searches my eyes as if looking for an answer. I exhale and nod for him to continue, still eyeing his hesitantly. "I am here to help you, but I need you to keep an open mind. I need to know you will trust me."
"Look, I just had you banging at my door around two hours ago. I have never meet you ever before and you had the nerve to say my family needs me. I don't know how you can expect me to trust you." I begin. "The only reason I bailed you out is because I have this… skill. I like to call it a superpower. I can tell when a person is lying, and personally, liars have better material. I don't know what overcame you to knock on MY door but that's your judgment. You got the wrong girl."
"I assure you that I know exactly what I got myself into. You are just afraid to talk to me, to reveal yourself." Killian says.
I shiver, for what reason, I don't know. He seems so real; so remarkable, unforgettable, familiar. "Have we met?" I say but knowing my answer. Even though I don't remember ever meeting him I want to hear his story. I don't know what I am expecting this Killian Jones to say, but he better have a good explanation for showing up at my door and kissing me.
"You really don't have a clue who I am, do you?" he asks. Suddenly I can see his smirk drop, his eyes staring straight into mine. I don't dare to look away.
"No," I state and he suddenly looks to his feet, hiding his eyes.
He then shifts suddenly, looking through his jacket for something. I continue to watch him as he searches through his pockets. There is something off as he only uses his right hand. I look at his left hand which is gloved, resting in his pocket.
"Why are you only wearing one glove?" I ask, trying to break the awkward silence. He doesn't answer me. Instead he continues to search through his leather jacket. He eventually pulls out a small bottle, holding what looks like this purple potion; If is some sort of drug I am going to be very pissed. He holds it cautiously, like this is something very precious; definitely drugs, I think.
"I need you to try to remember. This," he says as he gestures towards the little bottle, shaking it lightly, "is what will help you when you are ready to believe that you can trust me."
I think for a second and give him once chance. Everyone needs to be given a chance to be able to be trusted; I would know that better than anyone. "Prove it." I dare. "Prove that you have met me before and maybe I can trust you. If not, you will leave me alone and stay away."
He exhales slowly, pondering what to say next. "Still such a tough lass." I barely hear him mutter under his breath as he puts the bottle back inside his coat. I stand there eyeing him with curiosity, putting my hands on my hips. He looks deep in thought as he racks his brain for an answer.
I don't know what I expect him to say. Do I want to trust him? My life has been difficult form the get-go, do I really want another dramatic adventure? But, as an orphan left on the side of the road, I still want to meet my parents and if he really does know them maybe they have an explanation for why they left me. I look at my watch which reads two o'clock. Good thing I didn't get a call today so I don't have to work.
He looks at me up and down as if looking for where to start. He takes a step towards me so we are about a foot away. I can feel the warmth of his body in closer to me in the cold frigid afternoon. I don't have much more patience so I tap my foot and continue to glance at my watch.
"Where do you want me to start?" he questions softly. He grins, but not the mischievous smirk he has been using for the past ten minutes, but gently. Under the eyeliner, his eyes look straight into mine. "How about at the beginning? You are an orphan, your parents left you by the side of the road." He looks for me to reject but instead my breath hitches. I don't tell people that. I eye him with anger, he shouldn't talk about that. I stand up straight and my fists clench at my side.
"Anyone could know that about me. You could have just read the newspaper article online. Nice try, but you just struck out." I begin to turn around but he grabs my shoulder and urges me to stop. I stare him down.
"I wasn't finished. You have a son, Henry" He continues. "Am I lying?"
I shake my head. "You could have found that out online, as well, though. One more try."
"You were found in a white blanket with the name Emma embroidered along the bottom of it." I jerk my head back at him, my eyes wide with shock.
"How the hell do you know that?" I shout.
"That wasn't in the article was it?" he says. "I know that because your parents told me; your parents who, as we speak, are in danger. Trust me now, lass?"
"Why are you dressed like that?"
He looks at his clothing. "You don't like leather?" he jokes. "Never met a pirate before have you? This isn't even the strangest getup I have seen here in New York for the past month." He shakes his head. "Nice try distracting me. I need you to listen."
"Fine" I say. He has a chance now. "But how do you know these things about me."
"Can we discuss this with Henry as well? You aren't going to believe what I say and I would rather not say it twice."
I don't know if this is some sort of trick. Do I really want him near my kid? "How do I know I can trust you at my apartment with Henry?"
"Ah, because you feel like you know me. You feel connected to me don't you? You can pat me down for weapons if you want to, Swan, which can be fun for both of us." He retorts. "And besides, you know I am not lying. Take a leap of faith. I took a huge leap coming out here to look for you for your parents, now I need you to return the favor. Please."
Maybe I do need to take a chance. Maybe faith is exactly what I need. But yet, I don't have a clue what to say. I look at him gently. He takes a step closer cautiously and puts his arms around me. "Your parents need you." He whispers confidently in my ear. "I need you." He finishes softly. So softly, that I barely make it out. I put my arms around him slowly. I don't know why I do, but it feels right. Maybe I did used to know this man. He seems familiar. We must have been way more than friends if we did used to know each other, at least how he remembers we used to know each other. He breaks away slowly and takes a step away from me.
We stare each other down, not daring to be the first to break away. What the hell. "Follow me to my car, we're going to my apartment." I tell him and start to head to my car. I can feel him looking at me and a second later I hear his footsteps following me. We walk around the police station, through the crowds of people walking on the sidewalk, and both get into my car. I put the keys in and he shuts his door on the passenger side. This just might be the worst decision of my life. But, it might be the best. It's time for me to trust someone. It's time to tear down the walls. I want answers. I want to know how this man knows about me. I want to know my parents. I want answers, and Killian just might have them. For once in my entire life, I let my heart decide for me, and it's telling me to trust him. I sure hope it's not wrong as I back out of the parking lot and we head towards my apartment where Henry is waiting.
This is me, taking a leap of faith.
