Chapter 11: Going home

Jesse Tuck walked into the pub, walked up to the counters, and told the bartender to get him a glass of chardonnay. "Feeling fancy, eh, kid?" the bartender chuckled and gave him his request.

Jesse sipped the white wine. Loud music was playing, and there was no way Jesse could relax.

Suddenly, a college-aged girl with black hair and mysterious green eyes sat next to him. "Heya sexy," she greeted.

Jesse smiled. The girl was so beautiful...

The girl leaned in to see what Jesse was drinking. "Wow, white wine, huh? Fancy..."

"How may I help you?" the bartender asked impatiently. He had been waiting the whole time.

"I guess I'll have champagne. Feeling a bit festive tonight."

"Me too," Jesse added after quickly chugging down his chardonnay.

The girl smiled. Her teeth weren't as pearly white as Winnie's or Liz', but they were still pretty unblemished.

"What's your name?" Jesse asked.

"Nickie. It's short for Nicole."

Jesse flashed his sexy smile. "I'm Jesse."

He took a big sip of champagne. "So, Nickie...what brings you here tonight?"

"Oh, I'm just trying to drink my troubles away. My boyfriend and I just broke up."

So she was an escapist!

"Ah, I see. I just come here every night, but I do have some troubles of my own."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I ran away from home."

Nickie shrugged. "Oh well, you probably had a good reason."

Not really, Jesse thought.

Nickie finished her champagne. "Hey bartender, get me a glass of vodka!"

The bartender laughed. "Pretty strong stuff, ya know?"

Nickie grinned. "I'm 21. Don't tell me what to do!"

After receiving her glass, she started to chug it down. Nickie seemed pretty decent at drinking.

Jesse finished his champagne, and decided he didn't need anything more to drink. "Hey, wanna go for a ride on my Harley?"

Nickie beamed. "Oh, yes!"

Jesse and Nickie stepped outside, hand in hand. The night breeze was strong, and Nickie clung onto Jesse. Suddenly, Jesse felt pain on the back of his head. He was immediately fell forward.

"Get off my girl!" a deep voice yelled.

"Matt, stop! Jesse's just a friend!" Nickie cried.

That punch hardly hurt Jesse. He immediately got up, ready to strike.

Jesse noticed that Matt had something in his hand. A knife.

"Jesse, run!" Nickie cried.

Jesse didn't. He just stayed in place. Matt charged at him, pushing the knife forward, into where Jesse's heart was located. Jesse let himself fall backwards, and pretended to be dead. "Jesse!" Nickie cried in despair.

"Come on, Nicole, let's go!" Matt commanded.

Nickie shook her head. "Mattie, why are you doing this!"

Matt grabbed Nickie violently. "Come on!" he shouted.

That was it. Jesse quickly thrust the knife out of his body, got up, and stabbed Matt in the back.

Taken by surprise, Matt's eyes and mouth opened wide, and then he toppled down to the ground. Jesse heard police sirens. The police were coming. Jesse turned to Nickie, who was shocked and in unimaginable fear. Finally, she whispered, "I don't know who or what you are, but I suggest you better get going. Go home, to where you belong."

Jesse nodded. Nickie was right, he didn't belong in New York. He quickly sprinted for his Harley, started the engine, and sped off in the night.