Chapter 27

Chapter 27


Liam's POV

‘Murphy .’

" Murphy Richards"

I looked up at the man. He was tall. Very tall. He was also very muscular. His entire body was built and chiseled. He had big hands and arms. He was very strong and athletic. He was dressed in all black. Black leather jacket, black boots and a pair of black pants. The outfit gave him an intimidating and dark appearance.

There was something about him. Something mysterious and dangerous.

I couldn’t see his face because of his helmet.

"Murphy ." I repeated.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"How do you know my name? How did you find me? Where did you come from? And, why are you here?" I blurted out immediately.

I moved back. A stranger knowing my name was scary. It was suspicious. I couldn’t tell if this person was a friend or a foe. The person reached his hand out towards me.

"Take my hand." He said. His voice was very deep. "Don't be afraid."

"Are you going to hurt me?" I asked.

"No. You have my word." He said to me.

I hesitated as I looked at him.

"Come with me." He said.

"Why? Who are you?" I asked again.

"Just trust me, Liam." He replied.

"Trust you? I don't even know you." I replied. My body felt frozen already.

The incident with Brandon scared the heck out of me.

I was almost r -aped by a guy I trusted. I could still feel his hands on me. The slaps and punches he had given me. My face stung and ached.

I was shaken and scared. I couldn't take a chance again. I didn't know this person.

"Don't be afraid, Liam. I'm just going to help you,Let me help you." He said.

Murphy bent down and crouched in front of me.

"I’m not going to hurt you." He told me.

"But, what about him?" I asked, referring to the unconscious Brandon.

"Forget about him. Just worry about yourself." Murphy said.

“Are sure, you are not going to hurt me?” I asked.

“No.” He replied. “I will never hurt you. That’s not the kind of man I am. The only reason I was beating the crap out of Brandon was because he was hurting you. If I wasn’t around, that as-shole would have had his way with you. So, you can trust me, Liam.I’m not going to hurt you."

His hand was still outstretched.

"Do you promise?” I asked.

Murphy nodded.

“I promise.” He said.

I looked around. It was really dark. Brandon was still unconscious. No one was around. My heart was pounding. I felt like my legs had turned to jelly. I couldn’t move. I was petrified.

Suddenly, I remembered that my upper body was exposed, I quickly grabbed the sides of my shirt and tried to close them together. My shirt was torn. Brandon ripped them earlier.

My eyes were filled with tears. I was humiliated and embarrassed. I felt so violated and weak.

"It's okay." Murphy said. He stood up and slowly took off his black leather jacket.

"Here." He held his jacket out towards me.

"Put this on."

I looked at him and took the jacket from his hand.

"Thanks." I said quietly.

"Can you stand?" He asked.

I nodded.

"I can try." I answered.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

"Oh." I groaned. My body ached and I winced in pain.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes. I'm okay." I said, trying to mask my discomfort.

"Are you sure?” Murphy asked. His warm hands touched my face.

It was then I noticed that his hands were covered with Brandon's blood. Fck. He must have beat the hell out of Brandon. Of course he did. Brandon was unconscious. I feared that he was dead.

I shivered slightly as Murphy examined my bruised face. The slaps and hits had left red marks and a bruise on my skin.

"Are you sure, you're not hurt anywhere else?" He asked.

I looked away.

"It's nothing. I'm fine." I said, feeling uncomfortable.

I wasn't sure if I should trust this stranger. But, I didn't have much of a choice. Murphy was my saviour at the moment and currently, he wasn’t doing anything to hurt me. He was being really nice and sweet.

"Come. Let's get you out of here." He said, holding onto my hand. We had walked a few feet when I stopped.

"What's wrong?" Murphy asked. I turned around and pointed at Brandon.

"What about him?" Murphy let go of my hand and walked over to Murphy .He crouched down and checked for a pulse.

"He's still alive. If that’s what you’re worried about Liam.I didn’t kill him." Murphy said.

"No.” I shook my head.

“His phone.” I said, biting down on my lower lip. I had been so distraught, that I had forgotten about the pictures.

"What about it?" Murphy asked.

"Can you get it?" I asked. "His phone." Murphy nodded and went through his pockets.

"Here. What do you need it for?"

"Just give it to me." I took the phone and threw it on the floor. I stepped on it repeatedly. My shoes stomped on the phone, crushing it.

"Fck." I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

The anger, shame, and humiliation was overwhelming. It was painful and I hated every single minute of it. Murphy was standing beside me. He had his hands folded and was just looking at me.

"He took pictures of you, didn’t he?” He asked.

I didn’t reply. I didn’t have to. It was none of his business. He was a stranger, and I didn't owe him an explanation. I didn't have to explain anything. I just kept on stomping on the phone.

"I'm sorry." Murphy said. I stopped and turned to look at him.

"I'm sorry, you had to go through this. If I had gotten here sooner, maybe….”

“Stop apologizing.” I interrupted him with a yell. The tears I had been holding back, streamed down my face.

"Liam..." Murphy said my name.

"You don't have to apologize." I told him.

"Liam. Don't cry."

"Stop." I sobbed. Murphy moved closer to me.

"No. Don't. Please." I said, pushing him away.

"Just give me a moment." I whispered "Okay."

Murphy stepped back.

“I’m just trying to help.” He raised his hand.

"I know. But, right now, I don't need your help." I shouted.

I was frustrated. The pain, anger and humiliation was too much. My heart felt heavy and I couldn’t stop the tears. Everything happened so fast. It was overwhelming. It was like everywhere I turned there was another obstacle. Another problem. My life had been going smoothly, but all of a sudden, everything came crashing down.

Jason…Ryan…Brandon. Everyone…Everything.

“Argghhhh” I screamed and burst out crying.

"It's alright, Liam. Let it out. You'll feel better. Don't hold it in." He said and put his hand on my back.

"It’s ok to cry.”

His hand moved to my hair and he ran his fingers through it. My knees began to give in and I started to collapse. Murphy quickly caught me and pulled me into his arms. He hugged me and held me tightly. I buried my face into his chest and cried.

The tears kept flowing.

"Shhhh. It's alright, Brittany." He said softly.

He didn't let go.

"It's alright."

He stroked my hair gently and held me. It was soothing. I was crying on a complete stranger’s shoulders and I felt comforted. I didn’t know him, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was the moment.

His arms around me made me feel safe and secure. It was weird. It was like the universe wanted to send me a sign. When I needed help the most, the universe sent Murphy . He saved me. He saved me from Brandon.

Maybe he was meant to help me. Maybe it was destiny. Maybe we were meant to cross paths. Maybe, just maybe, I was supposed to meet Murphy Richards.


 I don’t know how long I stood there, crying in Murphy 's arms. He didn’t seem to bother tho. All he did was stroke my hair and hold me.

When the tears finally subsided, Murphy asked.

"Feeling a bit better now?"

I sniffed. "Yes. Thank you."

"Good. Now can we leave?” He asked.

I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and nodded.

"I'm glad you're feeling better." Murphy said.

Murphy took my hand in his and walked a few meters, leading me away.

We had only taken a few steps when he stopped in front of a …motorcycle.

"This is mine." He said.

I was stunned. He was gesturing towards a shiny black motorcycle.

"Your motorcycle? You rode this here?"

He nodded.

"Yeah. That's how I got here. Is there a problem?" He asked.

He sat on the seat and patted on the space behind him.

"Sit.” He said.

“No.” I shook my head.

“No?” He asked with a surprise look on his face.

“There’s no way I’m getting on that.” I replied.

“Why?” He questioned.

“Motorcycles are dangerous. Do you know how many people die every year from motorcycle accidents?" I explained,

"It’s not dangerous, Liam. Come on man,Trust me. I’ve been riding for years. Nothing has happened to me. This is perfectly safe. I'll drive slowly. Just sit here and hold on tight." Murphy said.

"No." I replied.

Murphy shook his head in frustration and sighed.

"Fine. Do you have another plan, Liam,? Because, as far as I can see, you're all alone. It's 1am in the morning and we're in a dark and deserted park. Where do you think you're going to go?" He asked.

"Besides, if you haven't forgotten, the guy who attacked you is lying on the ground not too far from us." He added.

"No. I haven't forgotten. How could I? You just made him unconscious." I said.

"That's right. Me. Don’t you think I’m capable of getting us out of here safely on this bike.” Murphy argued.

"No.” I protested. “Motorcycles are not safe and I stand by my word.”

“So you rather take the risk of walking out of here on your own and getting raped or even killed. Is that what you want? Come on,man. Take the chance. Just get on." He insisted.

Murphy was right. I couldn’t just walk away and go home. Brandon might wake up soon and try to attack me again.

If he did, would anyone hear me scream?

But at the same time, I was scared of motorcycles.

“I can’t.” I told him.

Murphy took a deep breath and spoke.

“Why are you so stubborn, Liam? Why don’t you listen? Why are you so fcking scared? There is nothing to be afraid of. You have my word that nothing will happen. Do you want to live or do you want to die?"

He asked, raising his voice.

Murphy sounded frustrated and angry.

“Are you yelling at me?” I asked, looking at him.

He sighed deeply.

"No. Sorry. It's not you. I'm not mad at you. It's just, ughh, brilliant nerds and their stupid fears." He said.

" Nerd?" I frowned. "You're saying it like it's a bad thing to be brilliant."

“It is." He replied, not even bothering to hide the irritation in his voice.

"What the heck? How can you say something like that?" I asked.

“ You guys are complicated. You're always emotional and you get so worked up. It's hard to understand what the fck you are thinking or what's going on in your mind. I would rather fight with ten men than one of you. That’s why I don’t date or even try to have a relationship with one." He told me.

"Wow. So, I'm guessing you haven't had a girlfriend since birth, right? No wonder you’re so ignorant." I snapped.

"Hey, no offense." He said, raising his hand.

"None taken. Believe me." I rolled my eyes.

"And, I'm not ignorant. I just don't see the point of trying to have a relationship with a woman when it's never going to work out." He replied.

"Well, maybe you’re gay. Have you thought about that?"

"Really?" He scoffed. "Me? Gay? I'm not you."

"Yes. You like men.” I taunted.

“Trust me the amount of women I’ve had s-ex with, is a testament that I am definitely not gay. I just avoid relationships, I rather fck and leave.” Murphy stated.

"Eww. I didn't need to know that." I spoke with disgust.

"Oh, so sorry. Did that offend your delicate insecure sensibilities?" He asked sarcastically.

"Look. Are you getting on the bike or not?" He asked.

"No. I am not. There is no way that I am getting on that bike." I repeated.

“I think you are forgetting the situation that you are in right now. You need help and I'm here, offering it to you. But, you are being so difficult and stubborn. Do you think that you can make it back on your own?" He asked.

"I'd rather go home alone than on a death trap." I replied.

Murphy was starting to irritate the heck out of me. He was being so fcking bossy and overbearing.

"Death trap? You are unbelievable. This is one of the most expensive power bikes in the world, not some cheap bike. It's the best there is." He said while looking at his bike.

"Now take this helmet and hop on."

Murphy then took out a second helmet from the motorcycle compartment and tossed it towards me.

I quickly moved aside and the helmet hit the floor.

Murphy stared at me in shock.

“Did you just let my helmet fall on the ground?" He asked, raising his voice.

"I told you that I wasn't going anywhere." I said.

Murphy got off his bike.

"You are really starting to piss me off, Liam. Stop being so difficult." He said and picked up the helmet.

Murphy didn’t even wait for me to respond before he went and grabbed me.

"Hey. What are you doing? Let go of me. No. Let go." I screamed.

"If you won't listen, then I will have to force you." He said and he dragged me to the motorcycle.

"Let go." I struggled.

"Stop struggling. The faster you sit, the faster we can leave."

"I said, let go. Don't touch me." I pushed his hand away.

I didn't want to go.He ignored me and put the helmet on my head. Then, Murphy sat down and turned to look at me.

"Hop on." He said.

"Murphy . Please."

"Hop on. You know, for a guy, you're really stubborn and annoying.” Murphy said.

“Now get on this d-amn bike.” He ordered.

There was something about the tone he used to say the last sentence. Something about his voice was authoritative.

Like, his words were final and I couldn't say no.

For some reason, I didn’t dare to argue.

It was like, I was compelled to do as he said. I couldn’t explain it. It was strange and mysterious.

Maybe, because I didn't want him to yell at me again.

I sat behind him.

"Put your hands around my waist."

I wrapped my arms around his muscular torso.

"Hold tight. The road is dark and the speed limit is not applicable to me….Owwww….My." He said and stated the engine.

"Wait. What? Spe-"

Before I could finish my sentence, the bike moved.

"Arggh." I screamed and squeezed him tightly. My body pressed against his.

This was a bad idea.