Hello again
So I felt that the last chapter I wrote was decent, but in hindsight there was not to much action. BUT REJOICE for another few actions segments will be coming up, as well as the into of a minor yet important character.
Again thank you to the few consistent readers, I know you are not followers yet but I really am happy at least a few people take the time to read this little head child of mine.
Also thank you for the almost 200 readers who have read this story at some point or another, its really amazing to see the number go up every week so I thank you all immensely.
Lastly as per usual, please don't hesitate to Follow Favorite or review this story, as it helps keep me motivated to continue writing.
Right enough whoring myself out, lets get onto the story
Afternoon Run- Amber
Who really cares about the time?
"Well hello again Amber."
"No, no, no, PLEASE no, not him, ANYONE but him", I wordlessly prayed to every god and goddess I could think of.
"So… Nice, of you to drop by."
The words sent small shivers down my spine, my body involuntarily trembling as they continued their path. Unable to do anything, as they sucked all he warmth out of me, leaving nothing behind except cold dread.
My ears twitched slightly as I hear the man behind me start to move towards me. His pace is slow and torturous; the crunching of gravel slowly growing louder and louder with each step he takes.
Fear slowly started to seep into my brain, locking my muscles in place, preventing me from doing anything except take small shaky breaths.
The footsteps stop directly behind me, and I feel a hand lock onto my shoulder not a second later. I shudder at his touch, much to his apparent amusement.
"Now now, no need to be like that." He chuckles darkly
My ears burn at each raspy syllable, each word he speaks feeling like it was dipped in grease. Worst of all though is his stench. The foul pungent odder that follows him around, it makes me feel dirty just to be near him, like I would have to take a hundred showers just to get rid of his stink alone.
"Come now, where are your manners?" he teases, the malice in his voice all to easy to pick out.
My body automatically turns towards him, knowing full well what will happen if I provoke him any more.
However as soon as I laid eyes on him, I stopped in pure shock.
He had changed drastically in the six years since I had last seen him. Large dark bags now sat under his eyes, food and dirt stains littered his worn clothing, crooked, yellow teeth filled his mouth, his dark brown hair was untamed and greasy, and small scars littered his arms and face.
He as wiry as could be; ribs could almost be seen poking through his shirt. Barely any muscle was left on his body to, almost making me wonder how he was still able to stand.
No longer was he the tall intimidating man I had come to fear. No longer the face that had haunted me for six years. Now he was no more than a husk of who he use to be.
I didn't feel sacred anymore; the initial fear I felt at his arrival had all but vanished, replaced by something I never expected to feel for him, pity.
I stared at him, sadness marking my face, before whispering as quietly as I could, "James. What happened to you?"
A large fist connected with the side of my head not a second later, throwing me off balance and onto the hard concrete bellow. Gravel dug painfully into my arms, and my head continued to spin as I lay there. Slowly recovering from the unexpected blow.
I looked up to find the large man, who had stopped me from leaving in the first place above me; arm retracting from what was obviously the punch I had received.
"Nothing happened." James responded quietly, "Now, get your stupid little ass up, and hand over the money you stole". His tone was one of anger and spite. Clearly I had hit a nerve, with my comment.
I almost rolled my eyes at his demand, remembering how focused he had always been on money.
"Seems something's never change," I muttered under my breath.
I slowly stood, taking care not to further agitate my already shaky legs, before reaching into my hoody pocket to retrieve the money I had taken earlier.
Both James, and what must be his bodyguard, stand right in front of me, eyeing my cautiously, making sure I was not trying to pull anything sneaky.
"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRM"
To say that the car horn was loud would be an understatement. I'm pretty sure an air horn point blank wouldn't be as loud, or as deafening.
Both men were taken completely by surprise. Their heads instinctively turning away from me to examine what was going on and where that loud noise had come from.
I however, was not going to let this chance pass me by. Shoving off the initial shock, I made a mad sprint right for James. My hands make contact with his thin frame not a second later.
Shoving him forward with all my strength, forcing his small frame to go tumbling backwards. His head connected hard with the concrete sidewalk as he rolled back, making a sickening "crack" as it bounced off the ground.
I didn't stop to check on him, didn't offer any help, and didn't even slow my speed. No, my mind was simply to focused on the one thing that mattered to me at that moment, to even consider that.
Only though running through my mind? Escape.
I race past him, quickly beginning to pick my way towards the train station from which I had come, weaving around people as I best as I could, pushing past everyone who I couldn't avoid.
Sneaking a quick glance behind me, I took note of James's bodyguard chasing after me. His lumbering mass moves with surprising speed, and I quickly revamp my own pace to make sure he does not catch up to me, my head slowly turns back to focus on my own route.
Fortunately turning back just in time to see a car directly in my way.
My body reacts before I can even think, jumping forward in a forward dive, my hands land on the hood of the car. Using the cars hood a spring board, my hands push my body forward, vaulting over the last bit of the car, before landing on the other side, and sprinting off, ignoring the owner of said car cursing at me.
My lungs begin to burn as I continue to run, begging me to slow for a small rest. I forced myself on, not daring to stop for even a second.
Sneaking another quick glace behind me, I see the bodyguard slowly losing ground, slowing up more and more as he keeps getting caught up by more and more people. Sensing an opening, I pushed forward once more, redoubling my pace to ensure my successful escape.
Down the steps of the station I fled. In the hallways I weave through the throws of people as fast as I can, zig zagging as much as possible so as to not lower my speed, before finally making my way to the crowded station platforms.
Its only once I'm buried with in the masses of people that I stop running.
My breathing comes in ragged gasps, and my legs feel ready to buckle, as I finally come to a stand still. My body automatically doubles over, as I heave in breath after breath, trying to slowly recover. Desperate to regain my breath should I need to run again.
My brain almost blacking out from the exhaustion and the blow I took earlier, curtsey of Mr. Muscles. Slowly panic starts to fill me, as my thoughts turned to the large man still chasing after me. My only comfort coming from the large crowd of people, who are unknowingly hiding me away from the monster of a man.
I don't know how long I stayed like that, thirty seconds, five minutes, two hours, all I remember is, that the next second I'm aware of, I found myself on a train and headed back towards my home. Back towards Hannah.
Finally, I let go of the breath I didn't even realize I was holding. Relief spreading through me, filling me with a trace amounts of solace and comfort.
My mind could barely process what had just occurred. I had done it, my escape was a success.
A small smile fills my face as I take stock of my surroundings, seeing no signs of James or his lumbering bodyguard, only masses of random people, none of whom I recognized.
That same smile only further widens, as I feel the familiar rubbing of the cash I had stolen, still hidden away in my bra.
My legs finally start to give out, and I slowly find my self leaned up against the train walls, feeling nothing but the cold metal on my back. Leaning my head back, I allowed myself to close my eyes and drawing in a few deep breaths.
"Success" I whisper to myself, my smile only continuing to widen with every second that passed.