Hey everybody! I'm trying to get these out, but I keep changing them! I know I'm coming close to the end of this story…unless I think of something else! (pm me with any ideas for this story or others! )
I wanted to give a heads up. School starts on Tuesday. Small private school! Anyways, so between school, dance team, show choir, musicals/plays, and work. I'm not sure how often I will be able to update! But I promise to update as much as I can! Cause I love you all so much!
Oh, and italics are thoughts, except for the one word in the third paragraph! Enjoy this chapter!
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Collins was out the door the second he hung up the phone. His worries for Angel were increasing with every step he took. Angel was normally able to handle herself. Able to stand up for herself; take no shit from anybody. Angel was one of the strongest people Collins had ever met. Angel went through more harassment in one week than most people do in months; she knew how to protect herself. That's why it frightened him to hear the weak, fragile, vulnerable sound in his love's voice. There was something about this man, Jason that changed Angel. And that in itself was frightening enough.
As his mind raced with thoughts, mostly of Angel, Collins' hadn't even noticed that he was now jogging down the street. Every time he turned a corner, he hoped to see Angel. Every time he got stopped at a stop light, he imagined what Angel could be going through right then. He knew this wasn't good for him to do, but he couldn't help it. He loved Angel so much and to know that he couldn't do anything to help her…killed him.
Thomas Collins was never the type to believe in love. Not necessarily that love didn't exist, just not for him. He believed that there were some people that were destined to be together, some people meant for love. He knew he'd never be one of them. He thought he'd never care about someone this much. Not being able to do anything because he didn't know if she was alright. He'd never felt this overwhelming need to protect someone before now, before this…before Angel.
After what felt like hours, Collins finally made it to the community center. He couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief as he saw the familiar building come into view. He glanced around at the other buildings. There were two apartment complex looking buildings. The other ones were office types. One apartment was on the same side of the street as the community center and the center was to the left of the apartment. That one couldn't be it. Collins' remembered Angel saying that the building she was in was facing so that the community center was on the right. It must be the one on the other side of the street.
Collins walked quickly across the street and into the building. He got walked towards the mail box center. May be Jason's name would be on it—if this apartment was in his name. He searched the names. S. Chince; T. Opicola, and a few others names. So far he was having no luck. His eyes scanned across a few more names. R. Friedlen; K. Greatch; J. Lewis. Wait, could that J stand for Jason? It's worth a shot. His number is 205. So that apartment is on the second floor.
Collins left that area and ran up the stairs to the second floor. He passed the doors in a rush. 200…201….202…203…204…205! He walked up to the door and noticed a chain on it. Like the type that is normally on the inside of doors. Collins was certain that this was the right room. He walked towards the door, unlocking the chain. He eased open the door, almost afraid of what he was going to see. Hold on Angel…I'm coming baby, he thought to himself as the door slowly crept open.
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Angel held the phone tightly in her hands, even though Collins was no longer on it. She hugged her knees tighter to her chest as she shivered again. She snuggled under the blankets more.
The drag queen couldn't help but smile at the thought of Collins. He was coming for her. He was. She knew he would do everything in his power to get to her. To save her. Protect her. Angel closed her eyes, needing to feel the comfort of his arms around her. She always felt safest, most comfortable in his arms. He was so sweet and gentle—she couldn't help but feel protected with him around.
She heard the lock on the side of the door jiggle slightly. She immediately placed the phone back in it's cradle, turned on her side so that her back was facing the door. She did not want to deal with Jason, not yet anyways. She curled into a ball more and snuggled under the blankets more. She was still trembling from the mixture of the cold and fear. She closed her eyes, hoping he would just leave her alone.
Collins walked through the door and felt like he's run right into a brick wall, seeing Angel in the position she was in. She was trembling and cowering under the covers. She looked so weak and frightened. Collins walked over to her and sat down on the bed. He noticed the fresh marks on her face and felt an enormous pang of guilt for letting this happen to her.
Please, leave me alone. Just go away. I just want to go home. I want Collins…please have him leave me alone. Have him be so drunk that he passes out. That would be great. Angel knew her luck wasn't that good. She had felt the figure sit next to her on the bed, but didn't move. She couldn't stop her shivering, but she did pretend not to notice the person.
Collins reached out his hand and touched her shoulder gently. "Angel?" He asked softly. He didn't expect her to answer. She had been through a lot right now, so she was probably exhausted.
Angel eyes shot open as she heard Collin's voice. She turned to him and smiled a weak smile. "Col-lins," she whispered through her chattering teeth. She sat up, wincing just a little. She had no reason to be afraid anymore. Collins was her. He was going to protect her. Get her out of here.
Collins smiled at Angel. He noticed her trembling again and reached out, pulling her into his arms. He held her close to him, wrapping both his arms around her. She was here. No, he was here with her. Collins was speechless. All he could do was hold Angel.
Angel clutched Collins' shirt tightly in her hands and buried her face into his chest. She let the tears flow freely. They were tears of fear, anger, frustration, and relief. She was feeling a million different things at once and they all happened at the same time.
Collins tightened his grip on Angel and began rubbing his hand across her back, trying to comfort her. "Shh…baby, it's going to be okay. Everything's going to be alright…" He whispered to her, continuing to whisper words of comfort into her ear. He gently kissed her forehead.
Angel nodded but continued to cry. She couldn't help the flow of tears. "I-I know," she chocked out. "I just…don't know." She whispered, looking up at him.
Collins nodded to her. He gently wiped the tears from her face. "I know baby. It's okay to feel…" He sighed. Feel what? He had no idea as to what she was feeling right now.
Angel looked down. "Afraid?" She asked him quietly. She hated that she was so afraid of this man, but she couldn't help it. Just the way he treated her, what he did to her.
Collins nodded, holding her closer to himself. "Of course baby. After everything you went through…" He sighed. "But I'm going to be here, so you don't have to worry, okay?" He told her. It was kind of a threat. Collins was in no way a violent person. He personally hated violence, but if Jason tried anything on Angel…Collins didn't think he'd be preaching about non-violence for too long.
Angel nodded. "Okay." She said quietly. "Collins…can we leave?" She asked him. She didn't want to stay here any longer than necessary.
Collins nodded. "Of course baby. Come on," he said. He got up and helped her up. She was obviously weak from everything. Collins wrapped both his arms around her waist, giving her a quick kiss. "It'll be okay."
Angel nodded, wrapping her own arms around Collins. "I know." She said softly. Collins held her tightly for a brief moment longer and then walked towards the door.
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I know, it's kind of short, but the next chapter is going to be long! Okay, so after I wrote this, I realized something. The next chapter will be the last (Unless I can make it into two chapters) I don't really have anything to say. May be I'll work on a sequal… not sure yet. Although if I do, I'm not really sure what I'd write it about!
Let me know what you think in your reviews! Thanks and love you all that read and review:D
