The Game Has Changed

by D. L. Wu

  CHAPTER 8

  By late afternoon, they had reached the outskirts of Columbus, Ohio. Evan avoided major freeways for the sole purpose of lying low, staying mostly to back roads. He realized it would take them much longer to get to California, but it would also be much safer this way.

  He found a Wal-Mart in a small suburb of Columbus and they stopped there for some clothes, snacks, and cigarettes. He realized he hadn't had a smoke since before his accident and he now wondered how he had managed it. Surprisingly enough, he hadn't even thought about it until seeing cigarettes for sale at the store’s checkout. That had been enough of an urge for him to grab a pack before moving on.

  ***

  That early evening found them in another small motel room, not unlike the one they had occupied the night before. Again, there was only one full bed, even smaller than the queen-sized one they had previously shared, but Jaime didn't make a fuss about it this time at all.

  She sat pressed up against the headboard eating potato chips and pretending to watch a sitcom on the television. In reality, she couldn't keep her eyes off of Evan. He was sitting at the small table near the bed and seemed engrossed with the map he had purchased in order to plan his route back to California. He was so intent on studying it that he had no idea that she was staring at him.

  A wondrous expression played across her face as she watched him. He was shirtless once again and was only wearing his blue jeans while his beautiful, untidy brown hair was hanging down in front of his face. Occasionally, she saw him brush it back. The lamp hanging over the table was obviously annoying him as it kept dimming, every now and then, and she noticed him hitting it once in a while to make it become bright again.

  “You okay?” he asked, suddenly invading her daydreams about him as he looked up at her.

  She nodded quickly, shaking her head to clear it. She watched him stand up and reach for the cigarette pack he’d bought not too long ago.

  “I'm gonna go have a smoke outside. Stay here,” he said.

  “I can come with you,” she offered.

  He was pulling his tee shirt back on as she said it. “Naw, it's cold outside, Luv. Don't want you to get sick.”

  He smiled, slipping his black leather jacket on. He paused as he seemed to remember something. He opened the drawer he’d placed his gun and holster in. She saw him take the gun out. Her heart leapt with fear as he fiddled with it.

  He looked up at her with a smile. “Safety's on now,” he replied. “We wouldn't want you shooting me in the head whilst I'm having my fag, now would we?'

  “Don't worry,” she uttered shakily, disappointed that he still didn't trust her. She decided to be bold and cried out just as he opened the door. “Why don't you trust me yet?”

  He turned to face her. A deep sigh escaped him. “If I were you, I don't think I'd trust me. I'd certainly want to shoot me in the head. That's why I don't trust you yet,” he stated and then disappeared out the door.

  Jaime wasn't exactly sure as to why his observation made her feel miserable, but it did. She started to sob while he was outside smoking his cigarette. After a few moments of weeping, she jumped up from the bed and stared out the front window. It was dark outside already, but there were street lamps lighting the grass and the parking lot out front.

  She could see Evan standing beside one of the street lamps. His head was low and one of his hands was stuffed within his jacket pocket. The other was holding the cigarette between his fingers. He didn't seem to be smoking it, though, and his body language seemed depressed and sullen. She wanted to rush over to him, yet she knew she shouldn't. Instead, she bit down on her bottom lip and forced her tears away.

  He stayed away far longer than she’d expected him to. As Jaime sat back down on the bed, she wondered if he needed to get away from her for a while. That idea made her just as miserable as the last one did and she promptly started sobbing again. When the door finally opened, she knew Evan could tell she was crying. She saw concern written across every inch of his face.

  “What's wrong, Luv?” he asked as he slid his jacket off of his shoulders and approached the bed's edge.

  She didn't want to admit that he was making her cry as she didn't want him to have the satisfaction of knowing it. After all, he was plenty cocky enough. Instead, she proceeded to lie and utilize the pity defense at the same time. “I'm just homesick,” she sobbed.

  He nodded slowly. “Of course you are,” he whispered. “Is there something in your backpack that would help?” He reached for the bag and set it down beside her.

  “How did you know?”

  He shrugged and smiled. “I didn't, really.”

  She carefully opened it and pulled out the picture of her father and herself. She inspected it for a moment and then handed it to him. Evan accepted the photograph and stared at it before smiling tenderly at her as he handed it back to her.

  “I can see why you revere him so.”

  “I do?” she whispered.

  He looked at her directly. “You do.”

  “He was very handsome,” she said wistfully.

  “Well, see, I told you.” Evan smiled. “You look just like him, you know. I told you that you were beautiful. Do you believe me now?”

  Jaime smiled demurely, her sadness had suddenly vanished. “He was a little overweight, though. Just a tad.”

  “But you're perfect.”

  Their gazes clashed. After a moment of intense staring, Jaime shyly looked back down at the photo, but she couldn't see it anymore. Her head was spinning and her eyes blurred.

  That look he’d just given her . . . She could hardly control the electricity that was coursing through her. In a flustered panic, she tried to keep him from knowing what she was feeling, then and there. She pulled her wooden wolf box out of her backpack to keep herself occupied.

  “More treasures?” he inquired.

  She nodded sadly. “He bought me this. It's filled with postcards he sent to me.”

  Evan smiled with understanding. “Keep it always,” he whispered.

  The tears streamed down her cheeks so suddenly that it alarmed her. Yet what happened next amazed her even more. She was literally trembling, almost ready to explode, when she felt Evan pull her within his arms and hug her affectionately as he pressed her against his chest.

  What a wonderful feeling! She sobbed as she buried her face against his warm tee shirt. She could feel his body heat radiating from him and she could smell his wonderful scent as it wafted in her direction, though it was laced with a muted tobacco smell. Never before had she felt such contentment and desire before.

  I love you, Evan! she wanted to proclaim to him loudly. I love you! But she dared not. After all, he couldn't possibly love her back. Could he?

  ***

  “I'm quite sure this won't be necessary much longer,” Evan whispered as he wrapped the tape around their wrists later that night.

  Jaime was on her knees astride the bed. He faced her while in the same position as he repeated the first night's routine. She smiled with contentment at his statement. “It's not even necessary now, but if it makes you happy,” she said with a soft giggle.

  His eyes widened playfully. “You think I'm getting some kinda S & M thrill out of this?” he asked, knowing she would have no clue as to what S & M meant. She shrugged innocently, but happily, and seemed to take no notice of his gibe.

  What amazed him the most about how she sat before him now was the way she was attired. The night before, she had not removed any of her clothing except for her shoes before lying down to sleep. Tonight, he was blown away by the fact that she was nearly in her skivvies, too. She wore a very skimpy and tight tee shirt that enhanced her small bosom perfectly, her nipples protruding through, and a delicate pair of panties.

  He realized she was smitten with him now. It was her way of trying to innocently tempt him, even if it wasn't what she really wanted. He would try to be strong, never-the-less, but he truly wondered just how long he would be able to resis
t.

  “Go to sleep now,” he gently admonished as they lay down, their bodies close together. “I want to cover a lot of ground tomorrow if we can.”

  “How long will it take us to get to California?” she asked softly.

  He stared at her with confusion. She seemed to be okay with the fact that she was going to end up on the other side of the country, a long way from home with her abductor, no less. “Um . . . not sure, exactly. Never drove cross-country before.”

  She nodded, content with his answer. Slowly, she turned onto her side to face him and then cuddled up against him, not exactly touching him with her free hand. She wasn't sure she was comfortable with that yet, but her whole body seemed to like being very close to his. It touched his in places and she snuggled her face within his long hair. She adored the scent of him and loved feeling his warmth. It made her feel very safe and content with him.

  “Jaime?” he whispered, full of unexpected worry for her.

  “Hmm?” she mumbled with pleasure.

  He stopped himself short. He couldn't get himself to tell her, “Please don't fall in love with me.” He knew it would burst her bubble. Yet he would have to tell her eventually that he couldn't make a commitment to her. Not only was it literally impossible for him to do so because of his lifestyle, but it was highly likely he would be locked away for a very long time.

  Jaime lifted her head a moment, waiting for him to continue. A slight furrow marred her forehead as she realized he wasn’t that forthcoming.

  He smiled at her. “Nothing,” he decided with a shrug. “Go to sleep now.” He closed his eyes and feigned sleep, hoping that she would soon do the same.

  CHAPTER 9

  The next morning, Evan stood in the doorway of the bathroom as Jaime took a shower. He was having more and more trouble coming to terms with his overwhelming desire for her. He rested his head against the door molding and grasped it between both of his hands as he took deep, even breaths. He couldn’t keep himself from staring at her silhouette through the shower curtain and soon found that he had to tame his beast with his own hand as he stood there waiting.

  To his mortification, Jaime unexpectedly appeared before him wrapped in a towel, her hair dripping wet. She had caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. There was no way she couldn't have seen what he’d been doing when he slipped his hand quickly out of his trousers.

  He straightened, his breathing labored and nervous sweat stinging his eyes. She stood there looking at him, curiosity and wonder written across her face. Her wet appearance disturbed him all the more. They stared at each other for a long moment before he disappeared into the bedroom without a backward glance.

  ***

  Jaime stood quietly shivering in the bathroom. Her clothes were in the bedroom, but she felt timid now, almost embarrassed about going to fetch them. She was well aware of what he had been doing. Though she hadn't really seen anything, there was only one reason he would have had his hand shoved down his trousers. It had been mentioned in sex education class and she vividly remembered the snickering it had elicited from her classmates. At the time, she’d had no clue. Now, she knew.

  There was no way she could stand there in the bathroom with only a towel on for very long. She needed to get her clothes; the sooner, the better. After several minutes passed, she took a deep breath, almost as if she was going to take a dunk underwater, and walked into the bedroom.

  To her surprise, Evan wasn't there. She approached the front window and stared out of it to find that he was having a smoke. Unlike the night before, he was nervously pacing and puffing on the cigarette continuously.

  Jaime knew he was embarrassed by what she had seen, but she was amazed that she didn't want him to be. After dressing again, she exited their motel room.

  Evan’s heart leapt as he saw her standing in front of the door. He sighed and dropped his cigarette, stepping on it to put it out. “I'm sorry,” he said ever so softly.

  Jaime shrugged shyly and smiled. “It's quite alright,” she replied, then boldly took the reins of their day’s agenda. “Shall we go have breakfast?”

  He managed a relieved smile. “Yeah, but how ‘bout something better than McDonald's?” he suggested, grasping her upper arm to lead her back into the room.

  “But I like McDonald's!” She pouted playfully and then giggled as she followed him inside.

  The drive that morning was a tad more comfortable for the both of them. Something special had happened between them, an understanding that neither could really explain. It was just there. Though they were still really strangers, it was as if they were now, in some way, familiar strangers.

  CHAPTER 10

  Somewhere just across the Indiana border, they stopped at a mini-mart late that afternoon. Evan needed to fill the car with gas and Jaime wanted to make use of the restroom.

  Before either of them got out of the car, Evan turned toward her and said very softly, “Don't take too long, okay, Luv?” It was his way of saying, “I'll trust you to go alone this time,” without saying it in so many words. It was the first time he was letting her out of his sight.

  Jaime was amazed, never-the-less. He finally trusted her. She felt proud and was glad, too, that he put it the way he had. His words weren’t patronizing to her, in the least. It was respectful to her. She smiled sweetly at him and nodded her thanks. She then climbed out of the car.

  Upon entering the market, the first thing Jaime noticed was four teenage boys, probably close to her age, tucked into a corner of the store and being rowdy and noisy like teenage boys always were when they got together. Ominously, they clammed up upon noting her arrival. This unnerved her immediately as they were not even trying to hide the fact that all four of them were gawking at her. It literally sent chills down her spine.

  She quickly approached the counter where she found an older woman standing behind it, writing on a pad of paper. “Ex – excuse me,” Jaime stuttered, causing her to look up. “Can you tell me where the restroom is, please?” She purposefully whispered the last part of her request, hoping that the boys had not heard.

  Her discretion went unnoticed by the lady. The gum-chewing woman's voice was loud and abrasive. “It's in the back alley, Honey. Here's the key.” She handed Jaime a key attached to a huge wooden block.

  Jaime sped out of the store as fast as she could to look for the bathroom. She saw Evan pumping the gas and she motioned to him. “It's in the back!” she called to him, wanting him to know where she was.

  He nodded in response and blew her a kiss. She was now quite sure that she was in love. Now, to get this over with as soon as possible, she thought.

  The Ladies’ room was tucked all the way in the back of the alley. A dark and ominous shadow loomed above her even in broad daylight. She tried not to think about anything except getting her business done as quickly as possible as she rushed inside and locked the door behind her.

  She fumbled in the dark for the light switch and couldn't find it, at first. Flicking the switch up once she finally found it did nothing to alter the looming darkness inside. The bulb must not have been changed in years. She didn't want to even think about when the room had last been cleaned, either. After finishing, she washed her hands. Of course, there was no soap or towels, but that was a moot point by now. She reached for the door, wanting nothing more than to get out of there.

  Her worst fears were realized when she saw the four teenage boys lounging outside the door waiting for her. When she cried out and tried to shut the door again, one of the boys quickly put his foot in the way and prevented her from closing it. All four had soon forced their way into the dark bathroom, closing the door behind them.

  Jaime let out an earth-shattering scream, hoping that Evan would hear it, but she knew the alley was much longer than she’d expected. She was at the end of it now and the heavy door was firmly closed.

  One boy kept her from screaming further by clamping his hand hard across her mouth. At the same time, he pushed her violently up again
st the wall. Her first thought was that once again, she was a captive, this time to a strange man. She longed for Evan at that given moment. More than ever before, she yearned for the first man whom had taken her captive.

  “Hey, pretty little girl,” the boy holding her against the wall said mockingly.

  He was, it seemed, the leader of the pack. The other boys laughed arrogantly and started to taunt her with rude sexual words. They then began to poke at her and touch her.

  Helpless, she began to sob uncontrollably. The boy’s hand across her mouth prevented her from crying out and she could barely breathe because of it. She felt their hands all over her, touching her in places she didn’t want to think about. She couldn't see all of their faces, but their hands were now touching her bare skin and it felt horrible.

  The boy released her mouth long enough to pull her tee shirt violently over her head. She took a deep breath to fill her lungs, but she didn't have time to scream again. His hand was back in place across her mouth within seconds.

  The evil taunts, the hands all over her . . . She felt as if she would faint at any moment, but knew that she couldn't. She had to try and fight back. Yet with four strong teenage boys holding onto her, it was highly unlikely. Soon, she was pushed down onto the grimy floor of the bathroom, her shirt and bra completely gone. Her blue jeans soon followed.

  ***

  Evan walked down the alleyway wondering as to why Jaime was taking so long. He really hadn't considered that she would try to escape, but for a split second, he thought he had been duped by her. He had definitely seen her come this way and as he looked around, he noted that there was no other place for her to go. It was a dead end.