"Who the hell are you?" I felt a lazy grin sprawl across my face at the guys nervous tone.

"Well, see, that's a difficult question to answer," I told him in a slow, easy tone, amusement evident. "I'm so many things to so many people. Friend, sister, daughter, lover, worst nightmare," I continued casually.

His eyes widened. "W-what do you want?"

I sighed. It's always the same. "God, you people never get original." I sighed again, getting off of the guys couch.

"How did you get in here?"

I gave a short laugh. "You should really get locks on your windows. Its a dangerous world."

He glared at me, and I knew I frustrating him, even if he was still scared. "I suppose you're part of that dangerous world?"

I gave him a cheerful smile. "Of course." He took a step back, and I followed him, dropping my fake smile and losing all traces of amusement. Today had been really long, and I didn't really want to chase anyone down, not that this middle-age man would actually be able to get far. "Come on," I said softly. "Don't run. Look, Marcus wants to see you. It'll be a lot easier if you just come with me."
To my surprise, his face flashed to confusion, before he gave a resigned sigh and nodded. "Alright."

Marcus' soft tone called out from his seat on a cargo box. "We're good friends, aren't we?" Marcus asked.

Marley looked up at him and gave him a wry smile, nodding slowly. "Yeah, we are." Marley answered after a moment.

"You have to understand, I don't have many friends I value as much as I do you. So naturally I feel the need to protect the few I do have."

Marley was starting to look suspicious, while I just looked at Marcus from my place on another box facing him, wondering what was going on. Why would Marcus have me fetch him, just to tell him that they're friends?

"Well," Marcus finally continued after the silence. "I have unfortunate news. As you may be aware, there is a new gang who is starting to encroach on my territory." I kept my face empty of emotion. "It's seems that the leader, a young man, doesn't want to just be a rival gang, but he seems to have it out for me personally. He wants to hurt me. Though I've tried to keep our friendship low key, it seems that word has gotten out that I trust you almost, if not as much, as Sherri. Sherri, I know, can look after herself if his guys come around. You, however, can't," Marcus said kindly.

I was getting confused. Why was he bringing me to attention?

"That is why," his voice dropped, and his voice held something, almost like pleading, "I'm going to ask you to temporarily relocate."

Marley inhaled sharply. "Why?"

"Because this person will come after you to get to me. Marley, please. I know this is hard, but you have no family, and your only job is a writer. Would it be so difficult to leave this state for a little while, while I take care of this? I promise, I'll have it over as soon as possible."

"But... but what's stopping him from following me wherever I go?" Marley asked desperately.

"Well, the fact that only you, me, and one other person will know where you are." Marcus stated simply.

"And who is this other person?"

"Sherri." At this I jumped off my box, opening my mouth to protest, but closed it when Marcus raised his hand. "Please Sherri. In case, god forbid, he is found, I want you to protect him. Besides, I think the time away from Lucas will do you so good."

I scowled at the mention of my ex, but then studied Marcus' face more closely. Behind that calm facade he always wore, he had real concern.

I know he wouldn't ask this of me if it wasn't important.

How could I deny the man that had saved me, the possible saving of someone he holds close?

I nodded, frowning. "I'll go."