ry other college student does on a Friday night. The next day, I decided to pay my dad a surprise visit. I hadn't seen him in almost a year-not since my parents got divorced and I

and I feared they wouldn't. My heart was racing, but then, like they suddenly came to their senses, I was shoved into the stranger's arms. Before I could blink, the men turned and ran off, disappearing into the thick forest like cowards. I was shaking. The man held me in his surprisingly warm arms. "Are you okay?" he asked in a soft voice. I nodded. "...I think so," I whispered. "Thank you..." He crouched down slightly, removing the metal chains they used to restrain my wrists and ankles. "There," he muttered. "They didn't hurt you, did they?" Of course they did, but I didn't have time for some sob story, so I shook my head, hugging my arms. The cold wind brushed my exposed skin and I shivered, hugging myself tighter. He noticed this and frowned. "Come on, let's get you out of here." I didn't even think twice as I climbed into the back seat, with every nerve in my body still buzzing. Anywhere was better than here. Once we were both inside, the driver started the engine and he glanced at me. "Where do you live?" "Brooklyn," I replied quietly, and he sighed, rubbing a hand along his jaw. "That's too far... and it's too late. We would be driving all night," he said. I knew what he meant, and he was right. I wouldn't expect a complete stranger to go to such lengths. He looked at me again, then turned back to the road. "You know what? What if I take you to my place? It's not far from here. You can sleep, get cleaned up, and in the morning, I'll make sure you get home." I hesitated. I barely knew this man, but he had just saved me. Saved me from God knows what. If I refused, who knows if those men would come back to get me. So I nodded. A small smile placed itself on his lips. "What's your name?" he asked. "Remi. Remi Flynn." "That's a beautiful name," he said. My only response was a small smile. We drove for what felt like hours. Somehow along the way, I dozed off, my body too exhausted to fig