Chapter 1: The Beginning

The thunder roared loudly in the sky as the young caramel beauty exited the tall dusky building. She rounded the corner where the cab was waiting for her at the end of the block. He didn’t have to park all the way down there! She sighed exasperatedly hovering the umbrella over her head.

When she was safely seated in the backseat, the beefy driver turned to her and asked, “Where to?”

Mya Harrison paused before relaying her answer to the driver; truthfully she had no idea where she was going. All she knew was that she had to get as far away as she could from this place. She looked up at the building and released a deep breath, “I don’t know.”

The driver looked at her skeptically then turned back to the road. He had another case of  “my life is over and I don’t know where to go” on his hands. On that note he decided to drive the usual route, which he only did under these circumstances.

Mya leaned back against the leather cushions as she contemplated what lie ahead of her, “What the hell was I thinking?” She sniffed up her tears and wiped the wetness from her cheek.

Where would she live, since she decided to up and leave her previous life? After the death of someone very close to her, Mya was more than certain that her life would never be the same again. Her grandmother was all she had. She was very young when her mother died, whom she had no solid recollection of due to a fatal car accident that took her life when she was only three years old. As for her father, she had never met him, so there was nothing she knew about his existence.

I wouldn’t even be…Mya paused in her thoughts unable to continue, unwilling to relive the horrors she was forced to endure for the past week. She still couldn’t understand what some sick individual could’ve gained by taking the life of a poor old defenseless woman.

An image flashed in mind of the night exactly one week ago, She was on her way from the art center where she worked during the day advancing her artistic capabilities as a freelance painter while helping others when she received a call from her grandmother, Joyce. Her grandmother was calling to inform her that she would be home a little late because she was doing some community work down at the church for the Sunday Festival coming up in a few weeks.

“Okay…well then I’ll probably get home before you then.” Mya informed, as she turned left at the corner to flag down an approaching cab.

“I left your dinner in the oven. I’ll be home in a few…oh and don’ forget to feed Cocoa too.” She laughed jovially.

Mya smiled slightly after ending the call, she had no clue that that would be the last she ever heard her grandmother’s sweet voice. She still clearly remembered the horrifying image that was forever etched in her mind. The tears began flowing freely at this reflection; Mya started trembling as her heart filled with grief. “So terrible. So, so terrible.” She whispered somberly locking her knees to her chest in a protective gesture.

The driver glanced in his rearview mirror at the sound of sniffing, what he saw led him to believe he didn’t have any ordinary passenger on his hands. This one had much bigger issues than his previous backseat travelers. He wanted to say something but didn’t want to be the stereotypical cab driver. But he realized it was too hard to not interfere because the silence was starting to drive him insane and he assumed that this young woman was in need of someone to talk to.

“Excuse me um are you all right ma’am?”

Mya looked up from the contents in her bag “I’m fine.”

The driver found it hard to believe her, but nodded his head anyway. She looked very far from being stable. In fact, she appeared to need some help before she committed the unthinkable. He quickly pulled over to the side of the road. Maybe she would be smart and just check herself into a hotel for the night instead of putting herself in danger and parading the streets alone.

“Here we are.”

Mya raised her head from her knees to see where she was. The Blue Alley Hotel. A hotel? She scrambled in her purse for a few dollars.

“Thanks.” Mya put out her hand to give him the money.

The driver shook his head as if to say “don’t bother” and folded her hand, “It’s okay. Consider this a favor.” He knew that she might need that money in the future.

A little startled, she tucked the money back in her purse, “Um...thank you.” Despite her sadness, Mya managed a weak smile before exiting the cab.

The driver gave a friendly wave as she reached the building, “You have a nice day.” He said as he drove off hoping that the young woman would be okay.

Mya opened the door and walked to the desk to check in.

The desk clerk looked up at her and smiled, “Hello I’m Nicole. How long will you be staying with us?”

“I don’t know.” She answered truthfully.

“Um...well do you know what kind of room you want?” Nicole asked. The hotel never experienced a situation where anyone was unsure of how long he or she would be staying.

“I don’t have that much money to spend.” She had about two hundred dollars to her name.

The clerk examined the disheveled features of the young woman, swollen eyes, tear-stained cheeks, and rumpled curly strands. Usually Nicole would have suggested another hotel, but this was not one of those ordinary scams. The women obviously had just went through something serious and she felt sympathy for her.

Nicole reached back behind her and retrieved a key for a room in the suite department. She would do this woman a favor and give her the room for less money. “That would be $62.87.

“Thanks.” Mya handed her the money, took her receipt and key then headed to the elevator.

Nicole smiled lightly as the woman walked away; she looked down at the registered name, which read Mya Harrison.

A shadowed figure draped in a black trench coat scurried when he realized the desk clerk had spotted him watching the young woman enter the elevator.

The man sighed with relief. He had been looking for her for an entire week after staking out on her block where he killed her grandmother previously.

If Mr. G. found out that he had been lying when he had claimed to have the woman in his custody, he would be a goner. But now that he knew where the woman was, Mr. G. would reward him greatly; he was sure of it. Not to mention he took note of her room number too. Tonight he would sneak into her hotel room and take care of business.

Mya stepped onto the empty elevator and sighed. Content with quietness in the elevator, she leaned back against the far back wall of the wide elevator. Mya took the time alone to reassess her current situation and think about the outcome of her future regarding the death of her grandmother.

First off she had no place to live anymore and she only had no more than one hundred fifty dollars left in her purse. Mya took a deep breath deciding not to think any further about her life without possibilities.

Mya pulled the one-way bus ticket from her purse and glanced at the destination, Maryland.  She would take care of her messed up life when she reached her birthplace.

The elevator doors opened and Mya quickly cowered in the corner as a large crowd swarmed inside.

When curious side-glances were thrown her way, Mya retrieved her sunglasses from her purse to cover her puffy, swollen eyes.

Suddenly she realized the elevator had stopped on her floor, “Sorry this is my floor.” Mya said quietly as she proceeded to push her way through the center, much to the dismay of the passengers.

Retrieving her key from her back pocket, Mya walked down the hall searching for her room. When she reached her room she swiped the card and entered the room, dragging her belongings behind her. 

A small gasp escaped from her lips. The room was beautiful! However, there was no way her money could afford something so exquisite. “Maybe she gave me the wrong room.”

Turning on her heel, Mya exited the room not knowing that she left the key and her belongings behind.  Then the realization hit her, “Oh damnit.” She cursed under her breath running her fingertips through her hair frustratingly. How could she go back to the lobby and convince someone that she purchased a room if she had no proof of identification…

Across the hall, a young man strummed his fingers against the strings of his acoustic guitar, trying desperately to compose a song that he had been working on for at least a month. Usually he would be able to compose a tune so easily that it just came naturally to him, but after what happened so recently, three months ago to be exact, his life just hadn’t been the same since.

The dark-haired gentleman hummed over his scattered melody tapping his foot lightly on the hardwood linoleum floor. Then he heard a faint sound that he was sure didn’t occur from him…

Mya stopped kicking the door distressed about her life. A harmonious beat with a relaxing effect to it floated through the air causing her to pause.

As she was about to turn around and allow the melody to pull her in, the door opened from behind her, discontinuing her decision to do so.

“Well I don’t think kicking the door is going to help you rob the place.” Mya heard someone state, releasing a chuckle afterwards.

Mya did not turn around to acknowledge him, “I wasn’t robbing the place this is where I’m staying.” He had a lot of nerve accusing her of robbery.

“Oh right…and I suppose you were just coming out to get the morning paper and got locked out.” He joked sarcastically.

Mya rolled her eyes impatiently, and then turned around to face him. “No I’m not coming to get the morning paper, besides it’s not even morning. And yes I did get locked outside of my room with my luggage still inside.”

It was his fault anyway. Mya thought silently.

The dark-haired man lifted the corner of his mouth in amusement, “Well…you certainly don’t dress like a robber so I guess I can let you off the hook this time.” She was dressed in an oversized t-shirt and faded blue jeans.

“So why did you have to leave your room, forgot something?” He leaned against his door making sure not to make the same mistake she had.

Mya sighed, “It’s not the right room. I didn’t request it nor did I pay enough money to have it.” She noted the curiousness within his intense gaze. Thankfully, she opted to put on her sunglasses or else he would have clearly seen the anxiety etched across her features.

He observed her long damp tresses that were matted to her caramel complexion and flushed, tear-stained cheeks. At that moment he realized how very stressed she was, in fact she had been crying. He straightened against the door contemplating if he should go back inside and continue playing his guitar or do the right thing and invite her in. He decided on the latter.

“Hey you okay? Would you like to come in and rest until someone can come and assist you?” He held the door open for her, but she didn’t move. She stared at him, confusion evident in her features.

“You can’t-“ The dark-haired man was silenced as someone quickly rushed between him and the young woman causing her to lunge forward into his arms as she was shoved harshly. The assailant kept running without looking back; security close on his hide.

The man stood from his crouched position on the floor helping the young woman up along with him. He decided he was going to take her inside whether or not she protested.

“Are you okay? That idiot really did shove you kind of hard.” He asked, but all he received was a stunned response as she stared at him with wide eyes.

Mya all but dragged behind him as he led her into his room. He sat her down and walked away to retrieve a glass of water and blanket for her.

Mya reluctantly took the glass from him and allowed the cool water to slide down her throat. She hated to admit it, but the glass of water was rather refreshing to her current mood. “Thank you.” Mya faltered.

“You’re welcome. You okay now? Did that guy hurt you?” When she shook her head no he handed her the blanket.

Mya wrapped the warm blanket around her shoulders to stop the constant shivering. She needed to get out of the wet clothes that were sticking to her body like a second skin.

“Who are you?” Mya raised her eyes from where she was staring down at her folded hands.

“My name is Joshua.” Joshua smiled weakly and held out his hand.

Mya hesitated for a second then put her small hand in his. Joshua pumped her small fingers. God her hands were as cold as ice! Not to mention she was shivering so hard that her movements were vibrating off her onto him.

“You’re cold. I can find you something to wear while you go into the bathroom and remove those wet clothes.” He suggested.

Mya shrugged in response. She stood as he helped her to the bathroom.

“I’m going to my bedroom to find a t-shirt or something for you.” Joshua assessed her quickly as she walked ahead of him. She looked to be a size six, maybe he had something that she could fit into.

Mya turned around as she felt the intensity of his gaze on her, but when she turned he pointed down the short hallway,  “The bathroom is on the left.”

“Thank you.” Mya mumbled, shuffling into the bathroom and closing the door behind her.

Unknown to her, Joshua stood at the threshold of his bedroom watching her until she shut the door. She looked oddly familiar. Where did I see her? Joshua wondered. He never forgot a face especially not one like hers. Shrugging it off he walked into the room.