Free

1

It was around lunch time when he came in. I just happened to set down a few drinks at a table when I looked up, flicking my bangs from my face when I saw him staring. I flushed as I stood up straight and headed back towards the counter to collect the next orders that were ready.

It wasn't the first time he's been here. Sure, he's been here many times, each time it gets more difficult than the last. I don't know how long I could last.

I could feel his gaze piercing into innocent broken wings and yanking back to get my attention. I looked up again and he was right there. The smell of gun powder, cigarette smoke and strong aroma of axe hit my nose as I took a deep inhale of breath.

He grinned at me, like the devil himself showed. I took a step back and he stepped forward. A rough, calloused hand reaching to touch the frilly and puffy lace dress.

"What can I get you, sir?" I asked, trying to keep a steady tone, failing clearly by the growing lopsided grin he gave me.

"Well, doll," he purred reaching to touch my cheek before he glanced around the room as if looking for something before his gaze turned back to me. He leaned into whisper in my ear. "Five minutes." His voice sounded low like a whisper at a funeral.

I stiffened and nearly paled before he patted my cheek delicately. When his hand fell, I straightened up and turned to get him his usual. Just like that, I was alone again to work. The café wasn't too busy so it wasn't difficult to spot the man again to deliver his drink. His eyes seemed to never trail away from me. Though always it seemed he was looking at something else, whether it was the dress, my eyes, my hair... but now it seemed that he was attracted at the heels and my snow-white legs. Red furthered to grow in my cheeks again.

Those green brown eyes only flickered away when he smirked to himself as if he found something funny about the way he knows how I work. For all I knew, he did know how I worked.

As I set down his drink he took my hand, "It's time," he said. As soon as the five minutes were up, a loud boom sounded and the next moments went too fast for me to process as he pulled me close to shield me.

I must have hit my head because I woke up in a car, him holding my hand.

"Don't worry, my love, we're safe now. You are free."

Free...

"Where..?" I started to ask but he cut me off.

"We are getting out of here. And I didn't want to leave you back there." He said.

I couldn't believe it... it was actually happening... after so long...

I didn't realize he had pulled over to the side of the road until he was pulling me close into a tight embrace. "Don't cry my love..." he whispered.

Finally, free...

He cupped my face and leaned in to kiss me.

Before our lips met, I woke up in a sweat. It was only a dream...

Those same comforting arms came to twist around me to comfort me.

"It was only a dream," he whispered coolly in my ear. "You're safe."