Classic

Chapter 6

Rory was walking across the Yale grounds with her book bag slung across her torso; she held a large Styrofoam cup full of coffee on her way to the library. She had her nose buried deep in a thick textbook causing fellow Yalies to jump out of her way as she passed.

She knew she could have stayed home to study but Finn had Colin over and they were watching a Remington Steele Marathon on television. On any other day Rory would have stayed and watched except today and the last few weeks she has been swamped. She was trying to do too much and she knew it. She was attempting to not only write for the Yale Daily News but also the Stamford Eagle Gazette plus her school work that she was working double time on. It was starting to wear her out.

Despite knowing the way to the library, her haven, like the back of her hand, Rory, unfortunately, did not possess the ability of x-ray vision to see through her textbook. She knew where every bench, pole and garbage can was but she did not know where random and unsuspecting college students stop to tie their shoelaces.

Rory gave a small yelp as she stumbled over a crouched figure. Her coffee cup and book flew out of her hands as she braced herself for her fall. Her gloved hands landed directly on the snow-covered walkway holding her body up in an upside down v-like position. Her feet were firmly planted on the ground behind the figure.

"Ow, fuck," the figure, said in a distinctly male voice.

Rory stood up straight using the man's back for leverage. "Oh my God, I am so sorry!" She attempted to help him up but he brushed her off.

"You should watch where you are going," he said irritably. He stood up and started to wipe the snow off his jeans.

"I'm really sorry!" Rory repeated apologetically. "I really should have been watching where I was going! I'm sorry."

He stopped wiping his pants and turned towards her. "Its alright."

He was taller than her, well into six feet; he had hazel brown eyes and shaggy brown hair. Even through his open jacket Rory could tell he was fit. His shoulders were broad. He looked familiar, like she had met him before. He reminded her of Jess, her ex boyfriend, from his Metallica t-shirt to his beat up combat boots to his 'devil may care' stance he seemed to have adopted. Maybe that was what made her think she knew him from somewhere.

"I'm still really sorry, really," she said again. Rory bent down and picked up her now wet textbook. She sighed as her eye caught sight of the coffee stained snow.

"Its not a problem," he assured her. He paused as though in hesitation. "Your name is Rory, right?"

Taken aback, Rory could only nod.

"I'm Sean Mathers," he told her holding out his hand and shaking her smaller one.

Rory smiled. "Its nice to meet you," she said politely.

"You too," he said laughing softly. "But you know we have met before. You probably don't remember; it was very brief."

Rory furrowed her brow trying to remember. "I'm really sorry but I can't recall. You seem familiar but I'm drawing a blank. I feel terrible. I'm sorry."

"Hey, no worries," he told her, shrugging his shoulders. "We met at that Alumni party your grandparents threw last year."

Rory suppressed a groan. "I've tried to block most of that night out," she admitted sheepishly.

He laughed. "Understandable."

It explained why she hadn't recognized him. Had he been anywhere near a society party he would not have been dressed like he was. He would have been moulded into the perfect society child dressed immaculately in an expensive designer suit and equally priced shoes.

"Well," Rory started, "I've got to get to the library. I need to finish catching up on my reading," she gestured to the book in her hand. "It was nice meeting you … again."

"You too, Rory," he smiled, flashing his pearly whites.

Rory started to walk away when she heard him speak again. "I'll see you around, Rory."

She could help but smile as she nodded her head.

Hours later when Rory exited the library she expected to need to shield her eyes from the sun reflecting on the white snow except the sun was no longer shining. Instead of the sun looking down and warming her, the moon was in its place. Even with knowing how unsafe New Haven is at night, especially for a woman, Rory decided to walk home.

She had rarely ever walked back alone. She usually had Colin or Finn with her and last year it had always been Logan who would walk her back to her dorm room. Suddenly everything was completely different. The trees were casting strange and eerie shadows on the ground and the wind rustled the branches. Every time a car door would slam in the distance she would jump or whenever one of the tree branches rustled too close by she would dart her eyes all over the place. Even the distant bark of a dog, made shivers run up and down her back. Pulling her winter coat closer, Rory sped up her walking.

Suddenly, Rory was pulled against a hard chest and her mouth was covered with a gloved hand. Her yes widened as realization struck. She was being attacked! She tried to suck in a breath but no air was able to reach her lungs. For a fraction of a second Rory tried not to panic but as she felt the need to breathe she started struggling.

Rory had never felt so much fear in her life. Her heart was beating fast and hard; it felt like it was stuck in her throat not allowing her to scream. It was a ridiculous feeling, as she knew it was a hand that was impeding her.

She raised her hands to the man's, for it was definitely a man, and attempted to move them away from her face. It was futile; he was too strong. Tears sprung to her eyes as she continued to kick and struggle against her captor.

Feeling light headed, even though it had only been seconds since her mouth was covered, Rory's brain finally reminded her to breathe from her nose. As soon as she inhaled her body relaxed.

A/N: I know its short and I'm almost positive that this is a cliffhanger. So I though it was best to end it here. Hope you liked it.