A.N: A reviewer kindly pointed out that I sort've repeated a flashback. So I edited Chapter 30 but the change is miniscule, seriously. But now the flashback fits in. Phew. Yeah, well, here's the new chapter! I'm sorry it's so short, but I don't have much time on the laptop today! Enjoy!
ASTRA'S P.O.V
I suppose the following events were by chance. I had not predicted for them to occur.
A familiar scream of agony rang out, startling the shopkeeper. He forgot that I was pinned to the cold floor, and he ran out of the door as well as the shopper. At first, I just lay there, wondering why he had left me so easily. Then I realised that I needed to get out, I needed to cover a hell of a lot of distance between both myself and him. I scrambled to my feet and made my way out of the front door of the shop. Immediately, I began to run, my backpack slamming hard into my back, probably creating bruises.
Get to London. Get to London.
"Astra!" A voice hissed urgently.
I turned my head, spotting Gloria on the other side of the road, struggling to keep up with me. She was clutching at her rib, and her shirt was stained with fresh red blood. Something had happened.
I ran onwards, leaving her behind. Leaving her behind to suffer the consequences of breaking the law.
It was just me and the open road once again. Just the way I liked it.
O
Whilst sitting in an alleyway eating a half-eaten bag of chips, I felt guilt wash over me. I had left Gloria behind again.
No, I told myself fiercely She left you behind, not the other way around.
I hadn't expected her to desert me – she'd never done that before.
I took a swig of beer, cringing in disgust at the horridly bitter taste. At least I had something to drink.
I was not alone in this alley.
A little way away from me sat crouched a small boy, wide-eyed and frightened. He looked about nine or ten. His big sad brown eyes watched as I ate my chips and drank my beer. When he noticed I was looking at him, his huge eyes got even wider, and he asked in a small, weak voice "Please,"
I stared at him, contemplating whether to feed him or not. It was surely a life or death situation. He looked incredibly sick. I rose to my feet slowly and threw the bag of chips at him. He caught it quickly and his tiny hands scavenged eagerly through the greasy wrapping, a small smile easing onto his hollow, lifeless face. The smile was gone once he had turned the paper out. There was nothing inside.
I took a swig of my beer, turned sharply on my heels, and walked away, leaving him behind in that cold, dark alley. I left him behind to die, not caring of the outcome.
Desperation can turn even the most sophisticated of men into monsters.
Just a little fail quote I made up there ^^ Heh.
Thanks to the following:
Rain on my Windows (Sorry! I mean like that the "kind" Astra didn't really exist, she was only a façade for the real one), RachaelLeighAnneRichardWisker (Thank-you! :D), Danielle Glover (Yes, anti-Elektra! I agree about the romance remark! It'll eventually come!), breather89 (that's fine! Just thanks for reviewing! :D), Melody Whisper (Yep! Edited! Ta!), imonlyhumansoimnotperfect (Thanks!), Jade pevensie (:D), N4F (Hell yes! Astriam! Wooo!), Roxypoxypuddingandpie (Wow! Thank-you so much! Yes, you must write!) and Katilette White (Thank-you! Yeah, I don't like it either when characters are immediately paired up!)
Please review. :)