SilverD: Hey, everybody! This story is getting read!
DWyrm: Yes, it is nice to know.
SilverD: Well, we'll stop our chatter and get on with it.
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Ch.2: Running
I make my way to a secluded park by way of back roads and alleys. The sun is high in the sky now, which is comforting. No visions, no bad dreams, no phantoms haunting me in the dark. The little creek that runs through the park is half frozen. I step cautiously onto the ice, jagged lines form under my steps. I reach the open part of the creek, kneeling slowly down. Just as I lower my hands to the water, the icy surface gives way. I end up in bone chilling water up to my knees. Damn it, I hate the winter. I cup my hands under the stream and splash my face. I wet my clothing, attempting to wipe away the crimson stains all over them. I succeed, sort of. The water ends up spreading the stains over the remainder of my rags. I can't feel my legs anymore. Rushing, I quickly dump some water on my head and then retreat to firm ground. A water fountain takes the edge off my hunger, for a time. Sitting on a bench, I scrub vigorously at my hair, causing a rain of red flakes to fall. Well, at least this time there isn't as much in my hair. The morning sun has started to warm the frigid winter air. I stretch out on the bench, letting the golden rays warm and dry me. Basking in the light, I start to doze off…
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"The suspect came this way."
"Yes, the trail ends by the creek. He apparently stopped to clean himself up."
"Call in the dogs. We can't track him by ourselves anymore."
"Yes sir."
I wake up to voices by the embankment. Oh shit, cops. I should get out of here. But if I take off, they'll get suspicious. I'll stay put. A hobo on a bench isn't that uncommon. One of the policemen sees me dozing on the bench and comes over. "Excuse me, you haven't seen anyone around here have you?" he asks.
I sit up. "Umm, no, not recently. Durin' the night, a couple of kids were messing around by the playground. But I think it's highly unlikely they're the ones you're lookin' for. Why, was there a robbery last night?"
"No, a murder. One of your own got killed. We tracked him down here."
"Geeze, what a shame. Sorry I can't be of more help officer. I didn't see nobody."
"That's all right, we'll catch the perp. Say, aren't you a bit young to be out on the streets? You can't be more than 16."
"Naw, I'm 18. I just look young, that's all."
The cop looked at me quizzically. "We need to clear the area. Why don't you come with me down to the station? My shift's almost up. You look hungry. I'll get you a sandwich down there."
Upon hearing the prospect of food, I lost all sense of self-preservation. "That would be mighty nice of you, sir."
"Great, my partner's done; my cruiser is down here."
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The police car was warm and the seats soft, at least more than the park bench. Soon, I felt myself getting drowsy as I rode in the back seat of the cruiser. I had had a pretty rough night. Just as I was about to fall asleep, the car stopped. The cops got out and opened the door for me, leading me inside the Domino Police Headquarters. The cop settled me in an empty questioning room while his partner went for food. We sat opposite each other at the customary table. "Well," said the officer, "we haven't been formerly introduced. My name is Suavage, Gerard Suavage. What's yours?"
"Um, Marc. Marc Sullivan."
"Nice to meet you, Marc."
We sat in an uneasy silence as we waited for Gerard's partner. Finally, Gerard broke the silence. "So, what got you into this mess, I mean your present state?"
I shifted awkwardly in my chair. "Well… You see, my parents both got killed when I was around, I don't know, about 10 or 11 years old," I replied, at least that much is true. "That landed me in the unwilling care of one of my uncles."
"Unwilling?"
"Yeah, he wasn't exactly thrilled at having to take care of me. He worked full time, and partied at clubs during his off hours. That left me pretty much to myself, which wasn't so bad, until he lost a promotion at his job. After that, he started to drink more and stay out later. When he finally did come home, he would take out his frustration on me."
"He abused you?"
"In more ways than one."
"That's horrible."
"Tell me about it. Anyway, eventually, Social Services got wind of it and pulled me out of that hellhole. Since then, I've been juggled through various foster homes and time at the local orphanage until I got too old. On my eighteenth birthday, they kicked me out."
Just as Gerard was about to reply, his partner entered the small room with a plate of sandwiches and sodas, which he set down on the table. I attacked one immediately, not noticing as Gerard pulled his partner out into the hallway and closed the door. In my solitude, I chuckled at my skills. That cop bought the whole story. In truth, most of it was true, up to the getting kicked out of the orphanage. Actually, I'm only 16. I had to get out of that sulfur pit of an orphanage. I remove my hole-filled glove from my right hand and look at the scar across the back of it. The scar appears to have been burned into my skin by some weird eye-shaped brand. I don't remember when I got it, or how. But I know I've had it ever since my tenth birthday. And I also know that ever since I got stuck with my demon of an uncle, I've had strange dreams. Evil nightmares filled with visions of monsters and beasts that should only be in storybooks. All through the day, I feel as if a shadow is resting upon my soul, refusing to leave me alone. At night, it seems to consume me. No, I mustn't think of these things. The more I dwell on them, the more powerful the shadow gets. Concentrate on more important things, like how am I going ot get out of here?
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SilverD: Well?
DWyrm: Now are you happy? You got some answers.
SilverD: Tell was what you think now.
DWyrm: And of course, thank you to the reviewers.
Mina-chan AMD: Thanks to our ever-present reviewer. I hope this gives you more to read and like.
Crouching Tigress: Wow, it almost made you cry. Sorry, the boy is an original character; he had to be. You'll see why later. If you log in this time, we'll check out one of your stories.
Kristen: Don't worry, I'll write more. Glad you loved it.
SilverD: Don't know when we'll get another update for this one.
DWyrm: Feel free to look at some of our other non-angst stories up.
SilverD: R&R!
