Only Hope.
Disclaimer: I do not own Criss or anyone associated with Mindfreak. I am writing solely for practice not profit.
Ch. 1 Crash Meeting with Fate.
The young woman was so busy running and maintaining her grip on her two small children that she was not paying attention to where she was going. Keeping an eye over her shoulder for the slowly gaining figure of her ex-husband, just as she turned to look forward again she ran straight into a tall, dark haired man, almost knocking him over.
"Oh, my God, I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going at all. I feel so bad, are you okay?" she asked still looking fearfully over her shoulder every few seconds.
"It's okay, I'm fine honestly." the man answered. He, being a rather intelligent person took in the disheveled state of the woman. Her long hair was tangled and oily. Her jeans were torn and her blue tee shirt had dirt smudges on it. She had a child, in sling type carriers, on each hip, both of whom looked to be in only slightly better shape. He noticed several bruises on her face and neck. Looking down her arms were also bruised and scratched. He'd also noticed that she'd flinched away when he'd grabbed her wrists to keep her on her feet after their collision. And that she was still continuing to inch away from him. She was staring off at a point behind him. Fear evident in her face and posture.
"I'm really sorry about running into you like that, but I need to go. I have to get away from here, like now." and with that she made to turn and leave but he stepped in front of her blocking her path. She visibly cringed, and it took him a moment to realize that she was expecting him to hit her for running into him.
"Hey wait, what's the hurry?" he asked, but she was shaking her head and inching away again. Something had her terrified and he wanted to find out what. "I can't put you in that kind of danger. I need to get away from here. I'm sorry Criss but I have to go." and with that she turned on her heel and walked away. She managed to get about a block away from him. It dawned on him that she'd said something about danger and she'd known his name. But of course who didn't these days, he thought to himself as his feet started walking the way she'd gone without his deciding to follow her. Danger was his middle name and she needed help. Helping people in need was a pastime of his. Since he'd achieved his goals of becoming a world renowned illusionist, he thought it only fair that he give back to the people that had made his childhood dreams come true. He'd caught up to her in no time, she'd stopped to pull a bottle for one of the children out of the backpack she carried.
"Excuse me, miss, can I help you?" he asked and she jumped a mile. Casting a fearful gaze around till she saw him. She sighed but didn't relax.
"No." and she resumed walking. He'd have to convince her. He set off after her.
"Please let me help"
"No, I won't put you or your family in that kind of danger. I refuse to have your blood on my hands should he catch me with you." she tossed over her shoulder, her pace never slowing.
"You know I can keep up with you. Please stop. I really want to help." he spoke in the most sincere tone he could manage. It worked she stopped for a minute, looking around till she was sure who ever she was running from wouldn't catch her right away.
"I understand that you want to help but you have no idea what I am running from or why. I can't, better yet, I won't put you in that kind of danger. I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you or your brothers, or God forbid your mother. If he catches me I'm dead, he'll kill me and who ever is helping me. And your life is worth more then mine so I really have to get out of here." and with that she began to walk again. But being a determined sort he was not about to let her go so easily.
"How about you let me be the judge of how much my life is worth. Please just tonight, let me help." hearing the begging tone in his voice, she stopped and turned back to eye him. Unsure of his sincerity, she considered him with a distrust that had been beaten into her years ago.
"Fine, but only for tonight. We have to hurry, he's behind you. I don't know if he's got a weapon I would prefer you turn around, to make yourself a less vulnerable target. I don't need him shooting you in the back." she was watching a point over his shoulder. But he'd gotten her to agree which was step one in a plan he was making up as he went along. Turning around like she said he saw a dark haired man that looked about his own height but a bulkier build. The man was maybe a half a block away, but they were right in front of the Luxor Casino and Hotel, where he happened to live.
"Okay well I live here, and I'll notify security to keep an eye on him. Trust me nobody will get upstairs without my direct say so." he told her. The relief showed plain as day on her face.
"Now let's get these kids upstairs and you look like you could use a shower and a good night's sleep." and with that he led her into the hotel. Well aware of her ex watching their every move.