Imprisoned by Her Escape

Prologue

Rain.

Is it bad that I find happiness in the sky's tears? I've never considered that the sky cries happy tears; so does that make me sadistic, finding happiness in the sky's tragedies? I suppose it doesn't matter because either way the rain puts a smile on my face.

   As I walked down the sidewalk, I tilted my head up to the sky to give my thanks for a much needed pick-me-up. A few seconds later my thoughts were interrupted by someone slamming into me at full speed, sending us both flying to the grassy ground next to the pavement.

   Still stunned from the impact, I didn't move a muscle as the guy on top of me quickly scrambled to his feet. He was skinny, yet well built. His shaggy brown hair was wet and messy, the white shirt under his black leather jacket had some grass stains on it that matched the ones on his holey blue jeans. His face was contorted in a mix of worry and annoyance as his green eyes searched the area around us.

   "Dammit, that little brat and his stupid dog, " he mumbled to himself. I was still watching with wide eyes from my place on the ground when he finally looked down at me. "Oh my bad, you alright?"

   When I still didn't respond, a look of confusion furrowed his brow and he crouched down next to me. He poked me a few times before taking a hold of my wrist and lifting up my arm, which I let flop back to the ground after he let go.

   "I think I broke her," he mumbled to himself.

   For some reason I found that remark funny and burst into a fit of laughter. This sudden action caused him to yelp and fall back on his butt, which made me laugh harder. It took me a few minutes before I got myself under control. I can only imagine how insane I must have seemed to this stranger. Finally, I stood up and picked a few strands of wet grass from my jeans. The guy stood up too and then looked at me with a puzzled smirk.

   The only thing I could think to say was, "What's your name?"

   "Bond, James Bond," he said dramatically.

   I had to hold back another fit of laughter as I went along with the joke saying, "You look very good for your age Mr. Bond, what's your secret?"

   He pretended to be hurt and astonished by my question as he continued his masquerade. "My secret? I'll have you know, young lady, that I am in the prime of my youth. Didn't you hear the news? 90 is the new 19."

   I tried to stifle a laugh and instead it came out in the form of a childish giggle. Immediately, embarrassment caused a blush to engulf my face. The guy dropped the caricature of James Bond and brought up one corner of his mouth in a half smile. "That was unexpectedly adorable," he said. Giving me no time to even attempt to respond to such a ridiculous statement, he continued talking. "My name is Tony."

   "What's your last name?"

   "It's just Tony."

   "Well Tony Just Tony, my name is Rose Harrow. Is there a reason why you're running around in the rain?"

   The smile on his face was replaced with that same look of worry and annoyance that he had when we first bumped into each other. Again, his eyes searched the area around us. "My little brother, Jonathon, and his dog decided that they wanted to run off and play a little game of hide and seek. I was trying to catch up, but lost sight of them when I so gracefully collided with you and sent us both flying to the ground. It's not like I'm worried that he'll get hurt, I know his dog can protect him; but it's raining and the one thing I know that dog can't save him from is a nasty sickness."

   "Then you better hurry off and get to searching for him."

   "You're right," he nodded his head and called over his shoulder as he ran away, "I'll see you around." I watched him until he was out of sight before starting my way home.