Chapter two:
I wasn't tired after my flight. I guess when you've been asleep for 23 Hours that you kinda lose track of time. I don't think I'de need to sleep until Keiko finally arrives tomorrow morning. And that's if I'm lucky. I sighed rolling onto my side. I'de already checked out the stores in the hotel. As well as the pool side and the hotel room. I've checked the view which was beautiful. The most gorgeous beach scene. With a dock in the distance. Gulls screeching as they battled for dominance in the ocean skies. I've always loved oceanic scenery. Except this was a thriving city, And not a private beach that was located in by some small European town in the country side.
Let's see. I sat myself up right. The sun had already began to dye the clouds a lovely contrast of baby pinks and various yellows. Creating a stunning canvas of natural art. If only I had my camera.
I've unpacked everything into drawers ready for my two week stay. I've claimed one of the two double beds in the colossal sized hotel room (which didn't surprise me considering this was a five star hotel).
Then my dream invaded my mind as my eyes caught the last of the evening surfers catching the waves. That guy from my dreams. I've never seen him before yet it felt as if I knew him. But that can't be possible. If what I've read is correct then we can't built faces in our imagination. We always end up comparing them to people we have already seen. The example used in my book is a classic chasing night mare. If you see the person who's chasing you and focus on their face. You may not remember them but your mind has stored their face in you're memory. So the person who's chasing you can be a man/woman you crossed in the street.
I shook my head viciously. I think too much into things. I decided it was best if I went for a stroll along the beach. Maybe then I can focus on what to do next.
~o~o~
The sand felt great beneath my toes as it flooded into my flip-flops and back out again. Like the tide it's self. The beach was fairly quiet now that the (presumably) surfing competition had finished and only a few posts and banners where being put away. Ready for tomorrow.
I inhaled through my nose. Making sure to catch the whole aroma of the salty atmosphere. The mood that hovered in the air was that of a relaxed and slightly blissful one. It was most satisfying. Then it occurred to me. This beach was very similar in layout to the one in my dream. Yet how different can any other beach be to this one? Its got sand, rocks and sea. Doesn't get much better than that. I sighed heavily in frustration. I was getting paranoid and that's the last thing I need. Maybe I should take a look into town. Maybe then will my mind will be taken off that boy.
"Raimundo! Grab that speaker! The sooner ya do that ya getta go home!" Spoke a middle aged man, in a very thick Brazilian accent. He was in the back of a white van. "alright alright. Hear you go. That's the last of em' can I go home now?" I turned my attention to my feet while the two Brazilians quarrelled. I guess it's no different from Tokyo after all.
~o~o~
It was getting mild dark now, and the street lights where almost blinding. I decided to change into a pair of three quarter length trousers and a tank top with a thin cotton cardigan just In case the temperature dropped dramatically. I admired the illuminate lights and the fancy looking restaurants but I wasn't in the mood for a "Fancy meal" A McDonalds would do me fine. Make me feel closer to home.
After Finding the nearest restaurant, I ordered a chicken Royal meal before setting off again. Munching while I walked. I felt somewhat lonely. The sky held no more colour and the street lights where dim. Worst of all… I had seemed to of lost track of where I was going and where I've been already… Me and being lost in a city does not go well.
My eyes scanned the environment. Nothing was familiar but I continued with my cal façade. If I got too worried I could just ring up Keiko's assistant and ask him to pick me up. He has to know where everything is here in Rio the amount of places Keiko says she's been and what not.
As I finished my food. I stalked up to the nearest bin and dumped the packaging in there. I was slightly startled now that the street lamps began to get fewer and fewer yet I foolishly carried on walking. As if nothing phased me. But that was until… three horrible looking men emerged from the shadows. At first I thought they were going to walk past me but I couldn't have been more wrong.
"well well well men, Looks like a pretty little bird has strayed from it's cage…" I mentally scowled at that metaphor. It was the most idiotic thing I've ever heard.
"Look's like this nights going to be more interesting than we thought" I could smell their odour from where I was standing (a few metres away). They stank of some foreign scents that I wasn't familiar with. But I'd take a confident guess it was something illegal.
"She looks expensive. I bet she's worth a lot!" Another man piped up. It seemed that I had miscounted how many men there where. Now there where five male's surrounding me. Cutting me off from my freedom. This was not good. My panic started to arise as my breath kept hitching. I couldn't breath. Couldn't speak. My mind screamed at my legs to run for my life however they did not respond. I wanted to scream my lungs out and run as fast as my legs could carry me until my lungs imploded. But I was frozen to the spot by my own dread. I wasn't brave enough to even wimper. It was then I saw a gleam from a weapon. A knife reflecting the very little artificial light there was. I gulped. I felt sick. My frame trembled as if the world was spinning a few paces faster than it was a few minutes ago. I couldn't handle this. I was going to die. And no one will know.
They were getting closer. The humanoid walls began caving in on me and I sank. I shut my eyes wishing it to be over quickly.
"Didn't I tell you pricks last week that I'd kick your arses if you ever messed with my stuff again!" A new, younger voice echoed the empty street. It was masculine and almost attractive (given my current circumstances) suddenly there was a silhouette by my side. I jumped and cringed slightly. But the voice whispered to me.
"Play along if you want to live" Before he helped me up. He put an arm protectively around me and I subconsciously clung to his arm.
"Why you little runt. There's no way that woman can be yours I mean she's probably worth a thousand of you!" A husky voice barked at the figure next to me. I was officially confused with what was going on.
"What can I say. I'm a charming guy!" the guy who held me up spoke in a tone of arrogance.
"Even if she's your woman or not. We're still going to take her!" I squeaked at that thought. And clung tighter to the mans' arm.
"Bring it on gramps. I kicked your sorry asses last week and I'll kick them again!"
"That was a fluke you bastard" and with that I was thrown to the floor and ordered to stay down, while I heard impact over impact. Then a huge thud to the floor that caused the ground to shake. 1.
"why you" A few more grunts and oof's where heard before two more miniscule earth tremors shocked the ground. 2. 3.
It continued up until 6 and then a pathetic squeal escaped an already injured man as he ran for his life.
I opened my eyes again to find myself surrounded by unconscious bodies. This man was incredible. But I couldn't see his face. His hood was up, shading his features into further darkness. He held out a hand in offering to help me up. I reluctantly took it. While mumbling my thanks. I still couldn't quite find my voice.
"your welcome. I'm sorry you had to witness that. But your lucky I came" He spoke softly. Suddenly everything hit me at once. The realisation of the event that had just happened and … the world was spinning again. My knees are going weak. My head feels light and worst of my mouth is dry. It felt like I was gasping for breath until finally blackness embraced me. Before my consciousness left me, Was a massive crack to my head.
…. Ouch….