Lonely World(closed)

[Blueduck4000]

Harold Martin was a very lonely man. There was nothing about him that was impressive or even the slightest bit interesting. He was in a word average. Short, barely 5'7" he had a very unremarkable face. Not an ugly one but his nose was a little too pointed and his ears stuck out a little too much. His smile was that of man who could have seen the dentist just a little bit more. Not broken or terribly crooked but he could have quit smoking or drank less coffee and perhaps his teeth would be just a little less yellow. In his mid 40's his dark hair was graying at the temples and the fine lines of age were developing around his brown eyes and thin mouth. His face was in all forgettable, the kind you would lose in the crowd. Any woman that looked at him wouldn't think twice about him. Not bothering to even make the decision of whether he was cute or ugly.

He worked the same job for Most of his life just another office clerk in a large company. When he started, he dreamed of climbing the corporate ladder. He imagined his rise to power would be spectacular, marked by success after success. That was twenty years ago. Now, lacking drive and intelligence he found himself in virtually the same position he started in, passed over for promotion after promotion. Even though he was payed well due to his seniority he was just an employee number in maze of cubicles.

The only high point and person in his life that loved him was his mother. His father had died when he was a boy and for almost as long as he could remember it was only him and his mother. She was his world and he was hers. She devoted everything to him. His mother would cook every meal he ate, clean every mess he made and pick and wash every outfit he wore. There was very little he did by himself, totally dependent on her. She was dead now. A stroke had taken her away from him and now his life was in ruins.

Without his mother to cook for him it had weeks since he had a good meal surviving off of cheap microwave dinners and fast food. His house was a quickly becoming a disaster with no one to do the cleaning Harold's mess only piled up. He was living like a animal and was tired of it. Something had to be done if he was going to survive like a human being. A nice woman was what he needed. Someone to do the cooking and cleaning and laundry and to even take care of other needs, a wife.

The only problem was Harold never even had a girlfriend before and wasn't exactly popular with women. To find a wife the traditional way could take years and he didn't have the money for a mail order bride. Something drastic had to be done. That's why Harold waited outside the local shopping mall every weekend. Safe inside his van he'd watch the people enter and exit, waiting for that special person who would love him and give him a home.

 

[cayleigh]

Charlotte's day had been a rough one. Between conference calls, paperwork and Lionel's ridiculous oddjobs, she felt run ragged. Who exactly did he think he was, anyhow? He might be her boss, but it was high time she educated him on the difference between an executive assistant and a secretary. God knows she'd had the battle before with others, but lately it seemed her boss was distracted and relying on her for everything. She would have cut him some slack, Donna, his ACTUAL secretary, was away for a couple weeks, but when she had to arrive late to a focus group she was directing becaus Lionel wanted to change his dinner reservation again, she'd had enough. So, at four thirty that evening, she quietly packed her work bag, set the out-of-office message on her phone, and left the building for the day.

Fresh air...blue skies... And nowhere to be but where she wanted. Charlotte felt the stress dissipating with every step that put distance between her and the office. She smiled happily and pressed the unlock button on her key fob. Approaching her car, she opened the door and got in, simultaneously slipping the key into the ignition with one hand and buckling her seatbelt with the other. Where to go? Charlotte chuckled. There was only one place to go: the mall, for a little retail therapy.

Two hours later, Charlotte was in her element. She stood in a dull looking change room, the walls of which must have been painted a sort of light plum colour at some point in history were now a pinky grey. She twisted her head around to look at her backside in the mirror, swayin her hips slightly to test the fit of the jeans she had on. Not bad, she thought and slid her hands down her thighs. Charlotte pivoted and faced the mirror, staring into her own blue eyes. She frowned and reached a hand up to release her hair from the barrette it was buckled into and gave her head a shake. Her dark, brown waves bounced around her shoulders and she eyed herself critically. The jeans looked good. She'd take them. In fact, she thought as she removed the price tag hanging from her hip, she'd wear them out. It was about time she went home, according to her credit card - practically hot to the touch - and the pile of shoppin bags sitting in the corner. Quickly, she gathered them all, paid for the jeans, and trekked back through the throng of people towards the exit.

 

[Blueduck4000]

Harold was a patient man but time was not on his side. For three days he parked in front of the local shopping mall, sitting in his old econoline van, waiting for that special someone. When he wasn't at work or at home sleeping he was there watching the entrance. At least a hundred people passed in front of him each day but none of them caught his attention. He was looking for a wife, he needed her to be perfect. A special mix of beauty and fortitude, someone who understood self sacrifice just like his mother. A woman he could spend the rest of his life with. Harold was beginning to lose hope of ever finding his perfect woman when like an angel she just seemed to appear.

She parked her car right next to his as if she was sent from god, places right in his path. She seemed to be huffy and upset as she steeped out of her vehicle barely aware her surroundings or of him watching. She seemed to be a professional, dressed in fine business clothes. What Harold saw though had nothing to do with looks. She was beautiful of course her features caught his attention in a second, he could only describe her face as being mature innocence. He saw something else in her though besides just looks. She was an old soul, traditional and proper, a kind woman so much like his mother. Stepping down from his van he followed her as she entered the mall. Always staying back so not to be noticed but close enough to observe her habits. Everything about seemed perfect her walk was graceful and smooth and her tastes where impeccable, Harold watch closely as she made her purchases choosing only the finest items. It was the final store though that sealed the deal for him. He had watched her enter the fitting room business like and professional but when she emerged she seemed transformed just for him. Her dark brown hair fell down around her shoulders and neck excitingly, her new jeans hugged her curves dangerously and for the first time he noticed her eyes were the same shade of blue as his mother's. In that moment Harold knew she was the one.

He had to fight the urge to run back to his van desperately. Not wanting to raise any suspecion from security he merely walked back. He had spent the last three days planning this moment but the reality was different and found himself nervous and worried. His palms and forehead began to sweat and his throat became uncomfortable and dry. He didn't have to wait long for the moment of truth. Watching her exit the mall not 15 minutes after him, her hands full of bags and merchandise. He waited for her as she approached her car door reaching into her purse for the keys. Absentmindedly she unlocked her car door more preoccupied with not dropping her bags than who was around her, reaching for the door handle while juggling the various bags she carried. Thats when Harold decided it was time.

Just as she was opening the door he made his move. Flying out of the vans sliding door he wrapped one arm tightly around her waist lifting her in the air. He covered her mouth with his hand muffling her screams. She fought roughly and desperately, flaying her arms about and kicking her legs. Harold was surprised at his strength. Perhaps it was the adrenaline but he lifted her easily and dragged her into the van, throwing her to the floor with a sickening thud. She struggled even harder as he door slammed behind them. Scratching and clawing at him It took both his hands and his full weight to hold her still. He tried to hold her wrists together so he could tie them but he found it more difficult that he thought. Hers screams were only growing louder and more desperate, she would draw attention soon. With a little hesitation and reluctantly Harold punched her. He had never punched anyone before and was surprised how well it worked. He didn't want to hurt her but hit her squarely on the jaw. She fell back crumbling completely, half unconscious and half sobbing. Flipping her over he tied her hands together and a placed a gag over her mouth. To Harold it seemed like the whole thing took hours but in reality he was finished in less than minutes. "I'm sorry" he said to her caressing her face. "but we are going to be happy together I promise".With those words he sat behind the wheel and left the mall, ready to show his new wife her home.

 

[cayleigh]

Charlotte's head throbbed. She rocked back and forth gently with the sway of the moving van, unable to brace herself and hold steady as they turned corners or braked for red lights.

Her shopping bags. She didn't have them anymore, and it bothered her. She'd spent a lot of money and now all her new clothes were sitting in a grease puddle in the middle of the mall parking lot. She whimpered softly and noticed a thick wad of fabric in her mouth. She frowned, trying to dislodge it but found it to be too difficult. Her jaw hurt, pain pounding through her face as she blinked and tried to focus her eyes. Stretching to turn her face towards the front of the van, she saw him. His eyes were fixed to the road in front of him, hands at ten and two on the steering wheel. Every once in a while, his eyes would slide to the rear view mirror and he'd look at her, as if checking to see if she was still there.

She tried to speak but couldn't. She tried to move, but found she couldn't do that either. What she could do, was cry. Tears streamed sideways from her eyes, soaking her cheek and the thin carpeting beneath her on the van's floor.

She was going to die. She knew it. Why else would he have taken her? She needed to think... if only her head would stop hurting for just a few moments. She'd try to escape. Maybe when they finally stopped and he opened the door. She'd sit up, kick him between his legs and run. It seemed fool proof, as long as she had enough energy left to run until she found help. Flailing about now wouldn't help her and so she lay still, closing her eyes to wait.

 

[Blueduck4000]

Harold looked back at his new girlfriend. She seemed to be unhappy, tears streaming down her face. He hated to see her like that but it was for her own good. She might do something crazy in a panic like jump out of the van or attack him while he drove. He couldn't blame her for being scared, after all she didn't even really know him yet. She didn't understand the connection they shared. Harold saw it the minute he laid eyes on her but she probably wouldn't be so lucky. She would need a little convincing no doubt. He did his best to drive evenly and safely but his excitement pushed him to speed home. He couldn't wait to show her the house and the sooner they were home the sooner he could start teaching her about the life they would have together. The two of them would be so happy, just the thought of it caused a tear of his own to well up.

It didn't take long for Harold to get his wish, rounding the corner onto his block in no time. He lived in the older section of town. Most of the houses dated back to the forties and fifties and sat on large lots that offered a surprising amount of privacy. His neighbors themselves were good about minding their own business. They were retirees mostly living off their social security and savings. Like his mother they lived in the same home for decades.

Harold pulled into his driveway just like he did everyday, although a few people were out and about in the sidewalks and streets no one bothered to pay any attention to him. "Home sweet home" he said looking back at his new girlfriend and soon to be wife. "We'll get you settled in right away". Pressing the remote his garage door rolled up with clunky and shaky motion. As he pulled his van forward the door rolled down behind him, closing with an imposing thud. Stepping Down slowly and calmly Harold walked behind the van. A smile ran the length of his face as he unlocked the back door, imagining the fun the two of them would have together. "Lets get you out of there" he said a opening the doors and grabbing her by the ankles to pull her closer.