Who knew one's life could be turned around in an instant. You're never quite prepared for disaster, no matter how much you try, but not even a psychic could have predicted what was about to happen to me.
I was sitting outside a cafe when it happened. When the stranger appeared. This strange bubblegum girl who seemed so interested in me. I was sitting out 'Café Du Damné' which roughly translates to 'Cafe of the Damned'. I had just finished talking to Tony, an old friend I used to know, when they both appeared before me. He wasn't my closest friend, we only knew each through his girlfriend, Zelina, but he had commissioned some photography from me, which I was partially pleased about, always eager for the extra money, and the chance to express myself professionally, but it was just so tiring to go over the same motions. Which was why I could never stay to a job, I needed difference in my life, if that makes any sense. I weanted something new and exciting and different. But once again, I am leading away from the matter at hand. Yet, I'm not sure if I can even tell you what is about to happen, because sometimes, I can barely believe myself. I wake in my bed, and say to myself, "I am dreaming, all of this is just a dream." and then, as if on cue, his bitterly morbid and macabre music drifts into my home, reminding me of exactly where I am. It's both haunting and relaxing. It had at one point creeped me out, but I got used to it, as you did.
You see, it all started with Rouge, the bubblegum girl I spoke of, she was the one who got the story going. I was just about to get up from my table, having finished my ginger biscuits and tea, ready to leave the cafe, when I noticed a woman sitting in front of me. I stared at her for only a few seconds, blinking in astonishment. I wondered how long how long she had been sitting there, I had barely noticed her, and I was so absorbed in my thoughts.
She was grinning cheekily at me, and I asked in French, "Est-ce que je peux vous aider?" Can I help you?
"Not unless you can speak French extraordinarily well." She said in English.
I raised an eyebrow, bemused at this strange girl. Perhaps she thought I was a tourist, and with her being one as well, needed help with something, although I wasn't quite sure. I regarded her carefully. She had short, bouncy, blond curls, which framed her small pretty head. She was wearing bright colours that were almost blinding.
"I speak many languages. I know little French. Do you need translating?" I said, my English a little shaky. It had been a while since I used that awkward language.
"No, I just need you to come with me willingly." She said simply, bobbing her head to one side, winking.
I stared, my mouth gaping at her. "Or what? You gonna kidnap me? In front of all these people?" I asked, picking up my things, indicating all of people drinking and eating around us. "I'm not going to let you throw me into the back of a van!"
"No Ma'am, I'll just let Texas here carry you home unconscious." She said, smirking as she indicated behind me. I looked around, and saw a tall black man, wearing a trench coat, his black bangs draping over his eyes. He tilted his fedora to me in a form of salute. He was at least twice my size. I flinched at the thought of having to fight this man.
"You're joking, right? This is a joke?" I asked, twitching into a smile.
"Do we look like we're joking?" 'Texas' asked, flexing his fingers.
I looked at this man, my body tensing up, and with my voice stammering, I asked, "And just what makes you think I'll go with you willing?!"
"Oh," He grinned like a cheshire cat. "Who said anything about being willing? I like girls who fight back."
I suddenly realised at that moment that I was in danger. Clutching my bag as hard as I could, I swung round, and whacked the man with my bag. I ran off, causing many people outside the cafe and on the street to take notice and start talking. After a few seconds of running, I began hopping violently, to attempt to take off my shoes. I could usually a lot faster without shoes. I returned to running, and while running, I reached into my bag, pulling out one or two bricks. I kept them in there for emergency purposes, such as this. You'd be surprized how much crime there actually is in Paris. I looked behind me, to see them both running after me. I threw a brick at them, but missed them. I never was any good at sport, so I didn't really expect the brick to hit them, but I was hoping the brick would at least slow them down, trip them up or at least do something to them.
I looked into my bag again, searching frantically for my keys. I saw my apartment, and looked behind me; there was only the girl left. I instantly became worried. I had to lead them away from my house. The girl did say that she wanted to carry me back to my home, I wasn't going to give them the pleasure of getting me back to my home so easily. But I needed a phone, or find a gendarme. I turned down a random alley, and screamed as Texas grabbed me from nowhere around the shoulders.
"Lemme go!" I shouted, thrashing out with whatever body part I could. Legs, hips, head, whatever. He shushed me, which astounded me at first, and eased me to the ground, using his left foot to gently knock my feet off the ground. I saw the girl stood over me. She was frowning. Texas held me down by my arms, the force in his hands startling me.
"God, I hate to have to do this to ya Ma'am, but we need you.." She knelt down, and covered my mouth and nose with a damp, dirty cloth. I remember nothing when I blacked out, but I do remember the instant darkness that covered my mind.
And the last thought that flickered like a light bulb in my head, was one single word.
Damn.
