𝔒𝔫𝔢
“Jesus Alex doesn’t that hurt?!” Sophia calls from behind the till. The boiling hot water from the machine is pouring all over my hand, but I don’t feel a thing. I’d been spacing out a lot lately, something felt off. I couldn’t put my finger on what, but every so often my body went into this weird state. My heart was racing, my skin tingling and butterflies in my stomach. I had that feeling that somebody was watching me from afar. Someone I’d been running from.
“Oh, shit, yeah ouch,” I say moving my hand and waving it around, trying to make it look like I was cooling it down. Sometimes I’d forget that humans could feel pain like this, I wasn’t doing a great job of hiding lately. Maybe I’d have to move on again soon. This wasn’t the first time that Sophia had seen me get hurt by something and I’d not reacted. She looked at me wearily sometimes, like she was trying to figure me out. I needed to make sure she didn’t figure anything out. So my best bet was to move. And hopefully, I’d lose whoever is watching me on my way out of town too.
Sophia comes over with a wet towel, “Here, let me check your hand.” She says holding her hand out.
I pull my hand into my chest and clutch it tightly. “Uh, it’s fine thanks, I’ll go run it under the cold water in the staff toilet.” I smile and rush away from her. She frowns as she watches me leave.
Slamming the door closed behind me and locking it I look into the mirror. I’d worked at Elemental Café for six months, and I’d quite enjoyed it while I’d been here. The regulars would come in daily with their laptops and work next to the fireplace that burned next to the stairs to the upper floor. Authors would come here to write, watching the general public gain inspiration for whatever best-selling book they were writing. I’d built up quite a good relationship with most of them. Nice banter and knowing their orders off by heart was nice. It wasn’t often I’d known people this well. I’d never been somewhere long enough to get to know them. But I’d been running low on money, so I’d decided to come to this small town and work to gather the cash. I’d worked almost every day for the past 6 months and only paid my bills, so id managed to save enough to move on and find another job in another rural town somewhere.
Looking at the clock I see it’s 5 pm, only an hour until I finish. Then I’d go home, put my feet up and search for the next smallest town I could find. Constantly running and hiding was a boring lonely life, but I couldn’t go back to where I’d come from. Life there was a living nightmare and the things I’d be forced to do, I wanted no part of.
I worked for another hour, luckily it wasn’t too busy. I was leaving before the quitting time rush, which was always way too busy for two people to man. Joe came and took me off, unlucky for Sophia, she was on the closing shift tonight, so she’d have to stay until late. Shame.
I’d got my things together when I walked back out from the staff room, Joe collared me and asked, “Hey boo. Are you in tomorrow?”
“No, I’m off now for four days. Thank god, I’m exhausted.” Joe looks at me as though I’d just spat in his coffee.
“Rude. You’re making me work with Sophia and not you. Boo you.” He crosses his arms and huffs making me laugh.
“I’m sorry too, boo. But I need my time off. I’ve got things to do. I’ll send you a message to make sure you survive storm Sophia while I’m not here.” He laughs and pats me on the shoulder.
“If I don’t reply, you know I’m busy with somebody. Probably some huge dude I’ve picked up for the bar.” He dances on the spot wiggling his eyebrows.
“Yeah, I know you too well, Joe. I know full well what you do out of work you dirty dog.” Laughing, I walk to the exit, “Bye boo, see you soon.” Joe waves me out the door and the warm air heats up my skin.
I felt guilty that I’d probably not see Joe again. Soon I’d be on my way out of town and quit that job. He’d been the closing thing to a friend I’d had while I was here. We’d hit it off instantly, our personalities and humour being nearly an exact match. Although I was slightly darker than he was. We’d been out here and there for food and drinks, and we’d always had the best night. He was the one person I’d let get close to me after all this time and it was good to feel like I had someone again. But now I’d have to leave him, and I was sad. He was a good friend, and I’m sure he’d end up filing some missing persons reports. In fact, I may have to make him forget about me before I left. I couldn’t have any loose ends behind me.
I’d changed my name numerous times, I was Alex for now. I’d been Lucie, Sophie, Abigail... The list was endless, and I was begging to get myself muddled up with which identity I was right now. I’d been hiding for so many years, I couldn’t remember my true age. I always told people I was in my early 20s because that’s how old I looked. Perks of never ageing.
Walking down the sidewalk the streets were quiet. They always were on a Sunday. People tended to relax at home here on a Sunday, rather than go out. Probably relaxing before they start work again on a Monday. How I wish that could be the things I worried about.
The feeling in my stomach returned like I was being watched, but I didn’t want to make it obvious that I was uncomfortable. Whoever was watching me would think that I had no idea they were there. I didn’t know who it was, and I didn’t want to know. Come morning I wouldn’t be here. They’d watch me enter my apartment, and they’d never see me leave. I would be untraceable from there. Unless whoever was following me was brazen and walked straight into my apartment. Then, I’d have a problem. I just hoped whoever he sent this time wasn’t a problem.
I’d run into a couple of them while I was hiding. They’d tried to force me back. I killed them without any trace, and then I’d move on to a new town. I knew that he could find me wherever he went, but he didn’t know I could handle myself and get rid of them before they even knew what was happening. While I’d been away, my powers had progressed, and luckily, he had no idea just how strong I am.
The streets were dark, but the air was still warm the sky filled with stars flashing in and out of view. Twisting the leather rucksack off my back, I left it hanging on one shoulder and pulled it to my front, searching inside for my cell phone. When I’d finally found it, I swung the bag back onto both shoulders and continued walking while I called Shay. I’d met Shay a few decades ago in a small town where I was hiding at the time. She was incredible at tech. I’d asked her to help me out. The conditions were I paid her generously, and she didn’t ask questions. So far we’ve made an amazing team. She helped me create a new identity every so often when I needed it, enabling me to be able to move on to where ever I ended up next.
“Hey, you. Need to go into hiding yet?” She asked as soon as she picked up the phone. She knew me too well.
I laugh, “You know me far too well, Shay. I’m feeling a bit suffocated at the minute, I think I just need to relax for a while.”
These were the same lines I’d said to her over and over again when I felt I needed to move on. I never spoke the words out loud just in case there was someone around with supersonic hearing. I didn’t want them to know what I was asking for, otherwise moving would be pointless. They’d just find me again.
“There we go. I’ll have your shit ready within the hour. Make sure you turn your equipment on as soon as you get back. Your ID card printer hasn’t been used in about 6 or 7 months, make sure it still works. If not, I can send Uriel with them.” Her Eagle shifter boyfriend, Uriel had come in handy a few times when I’d had to leave before I could get my shit printed. Hopefully, this time he wouldn’t be needed.
“Aw, thank you. But it should be fine. I’m not in too much of a rush.” I say, turning the corner onto the street where I lived. The street lights weren’t working, they hadn’t worked for months. Lucky for me I was good at blending in with the shadows.
“Okie Dokie, girl. It’ll be sorted for you within the next hour. If you need any help with anything let me know.” She says, then hangs up the phone. Short and sweet, just how I needed it to be. I’d also have to get rid of this phone. Luckily I knew Shay’s details by heart.
Stomping up the steps to the apartment building, my heart quickens once again, but I just carry on, not looking back, only looking forward. Whoever was tailing me had really been doing a good job these last few days. But, for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why they hadn’t been inside before now and got me. They’d followed me to my apartment for three days in a row now, and not once had they been inside or tried to manhandle me. Hopefully, that’s because my reputation precedes me. I hoped they all knew that nothing was going to make me go back there. The one thing that would make me come back, would never come here to find me. He hated me now and it was for the best, no matter how much it broke my heart.
I trudge up the three flights of stairs and walk to number 305, where I live. This would probably be the last time I’d enter this apartment. I wasn’t too sad about that. It was a shit hole, but needs must and it was the best place to hide. It was mostly down and outs who lived here. Drug users, low-ranking drug dealers, and people who committed crimes on a daily basis. But you know what they say. People don’t shit on their doorstep, and I’d had no trouble at all whilst I’d lived here.
Once I was inside, I threw my bag onto the kitchen counter that was instant to my left. A small kitchen area was connected to the lounge, all open. The window at the end of the room was tiny, but enough for what I needed. The lounge had a small tv one of the neighbours had been throwing away, and a single chair that I’d found around the back where the dumpsters were. Took me a week to clean it enough to think it was sittable. I didn’t want my ass anywhere near god knows what had been on there.
I flicked on the ID Card printer, which was sitting on a small set of draws in the corner of the room next to the chair. It buzzed and hummed while it warmed up. Deciding to take a shower, I walked through the door that was to the right of the kitchen, and into my bedroom that was to the left. A single bed was pushed up against the wall, the sheets a mess all over. I never saw the point in making a bed in the morning, when I was only going to get in it that night. Maybe. I didn’t sleep a lot. A couple of hours a night, maximum.
The bathroom was straight across from my bedroom, with just a shower, sink and toilet. There wasn’t even a mirror in here. Not that I wanted to look at myself, because when I did, I was reminded of the monster that I am daily.
I stip off my clothes, turn the shower on, and wait for the water to warm up. Not that it would matter if it was cold, but I like to pretend I can feel the warmth. Pulling the blonde wig from my head, my long ruby-red hair cascades down past my breasts and touches my navel. I remove my green contact lenses, and I know my shining ruby eyes are looking around now. If a human saw me like this, they’d be petrified. I don’t want to scare humans, I’ve tried so hard not to be the monster I’m supposed to be. I wasn’t going to let anything jeopardise that. Especially not the way I looked.
When I could see the steam bellowing from the shower, I step inside and get washed. I sing at the top of my lungs, singing along to my favourite song at the minute, getting every lyric probably wrong, but enjoying myself anyway. Who gives a fuck if someone watching me or can hear me. I might be on the run from a big bad man, but I’m sure as shit going to enjoy myself while I’m doing it. The thing with life is, it can throw you into shit at any time it wants, but it’s up to you whether you let it define your mood or not. Your emotions aren’t a choice, but your reaction to said emotions is.
I take my sweet time, scrubbing myself with Shea butter-flavoured shower gel and shampoo. A girl loved smelling fresh. It took me ten whole minutes to do my hair, it had gotten that long. I needed to get it trimmed but I couldn’t find the courage to do so. When I was younger, a long long time ago, the man I’m running from made me cut all my hair because I hadn’t followed what he’d demanded of me. It took me years to grow it to the length it was before it was cut, I vowed I’d never have it cut again. At some point, it had stopped growing so much, and it had been this length for a fair few years now. But still, I couldn’t part with it.
Stepping out of the shower, I wrap myself in a black towel, wrap my hair in another towel and pick up the clothes that I’d thrown on the floor. I’d throw them in the bin once I was in the kitchen, seeing as though it was my work uniform. I wasn’t going to be needing it anymore.
I wander into my bedroom and throw the clothes onto the bed. The bare grey walls look lonely with nothing adorning them. The smell of mould and fust hits my super sensitive nostrils, and it makes me wrinkle my nose in disgust. I hadn’t even bothered to decorate this place. I knew it wasn’t a long-term thing. What’s the point of spending money on something you couldn’t enjoy? The floors were floorboards, with random pieces of carpet dotted all over the place. The doors and walls had holes in where I’d forgotten my own strength and flung them open too hard.
I dry myself off and spray myself with so many different sprays and perfumes someone might think I’m creating some sort of potion. I had to be able to smell the perfume I was wearing, or I wouldn’t be happy. I put on my underwear, and put on some black leggings, with a long oversized black vest. My bra was showing at either side of my ribs.
Then, it’s time to tackle my hair. It takes me another 20 minutes to get it dried, and then I put it in a high ponytail, the length of it past my shoulder blades. I sometimes move my head side to side so I can feel a stroke against my back, just so I know that it’s still long.
Walking to the wardrobe, I grab a duffel bag that’s laid at the bottom and start throwing random piecing of clothing inside. I didn’t have much, so I could probably fit it all in. It was lucky really that I had so little, moving around so often I could just toss everything I had into one bag and be gone. I never tried to source many appliances, because I knew I’d be moving on again. A lot of the time, neighbours thought I was in some sort of witness protection and they’d give me things they had spare or were getting rid of.
When I was done with my bag, I slid the zip closed, and my heart began to race again. The hairs on my arms stand on end, warning me of danger nearby. I can hear the slow movements of something in the lounge. They sounded big, whoever they were. Whoever was after me, had decided to come in this time. Brave of them. I guess my reputation hadn’t preceded me after all. Maybe they thought they could catch me off guard this time. God knows why.
Sighing, and sitting on the bed I shout, “If you’ve come to take me, I suggest you think again. I won’t be going anywhere with you. It’s your choice if you decide to get killed or not.” I slip on my black socks and boots and await their reply.
A moment later, a familiar voice replies, that sends my world crashing to the ground. “You can try and kill me, but we both know that you won’t.”
My heart drops into my stomach and begins to race. Butterflies dance around my whole body, and my head swims. That voice was the one voice I didn’t think would ever come for me. He hated me, so why was he here? Why now? Why had he waited so long before coming for me? Was he here for me? Or to take me back?
So many questions swam through my mind, and I could barely keep on top of them. I wished so much that he was here for me. But I knew he wasn’t. I knew he’d been sent to fetch me back. That fucker thought he could send my past to me to fetch me back. He really was getting desperate. He didn’t know that I was as stubborn as a mule. I’d cut my nose off to spite my face, I’d done it over and over again over the years. I couldn’t help myself. I loathed someone telling me what to do or trying to control me. I didn’t play that way. Not anymore.
There was a time when I was so scared of everybody, I’d do exactly what they say. But then one night, I had a dream while I was sleeping. It was more of a premonition, as it came true. I’d dreamt that I escaped my prison, and I was running free through the tree. My bare feet connected with the earth as I ran. I believed in the dream, so I made it happen. I’d had more of those dreams. Seeing things before they happened. Seeing things that I didn’t want to happen, I changed the outcome. It’d happened over and over again, and I was getting pretty damn good at deciphering those dreams.
Still sitting on the bed, I hear heavy boots walk their way into my bedroom. Staring at the doorway, I wait with anticipation for the face I’ve longed to see to come into view. It had been so long since I saw this face, and I’d missed it so much. I’m not disappointed when I see it. My blood burns with need, lust, and love.
Leaning against the doorframe, at 6ft 2 his black hair it brushing against the top of the doorway. His chiselled jaw looks like you would cut your finger on it if you touched it. His eyes were so light blue they were nearly white like snow. His perfectly straight nose sat dead centre of his face, with his jet-black eyebrows crowning his eyes. His dimples weren’t showing, which was a shame. I always loved his dimples. But seeing as though he was absolutely fucking furious with me, I guess I won’t be seeing them any time soon. And the lips. Oh, god them lips. He had the kind of lips that you just wanted to kiss nonstop until you died.
His black ripped jeans cling to his solid thighs, the material hugging them so closely. I’m jealous of jeans now apparently. He has tattoos covering every piece of skin from the neck down, them peaking through the holes in his jeans. He wears a plain black t-shirt, his pecs bulging through, with a black leather jacket over the top, his muscles desperate to rip free of the arms.
His arctic blue eyes look back at my red ones, feeling like electricity is shooting through our gazes. You could cut the tension with a knife. Although my tension was pure lust, and he was pure anger. I bet we’d have the best angry sex right now, and I wanted it so bad. But I know full well I won’t get a good seeing to by him. Shame, really. It’s all I’d ever wanted.
“You still sound like shit when you sing.” He says with a small smile on his face, but it soon turns to a face of anger. “Get your shit, we’re leaving.” He demands, standing tall back in the hallway.
All the happy feelings soon turn to anger, as I retort, “I told you. I’m not going anywhere. I might not kill you, but I killed the rest he sent. Don’t think I won’t incapacitate you so you can’t follow me. I’m leaving here, and you won’t follow me.” I cross my arms defiantly like a little child.
“I’ll follow you where ever you go, Zara. You need to come home. We need you.” He says with a threatening tone, putting both hands on either side of the doorframe. He’s threatening me, but the statement only excites me. It made me sick how excited I was over the fact that he’d follow me anywhere. ”I need you.” His eyes filled with sadness forcing an ache in my chest I have no control over.
“Nobody there needs me, Cody.” I snap. “There’s nothing for me there,” I say, looking at the ground. I was a horrendous liar, and he knew it. I’d left him there alone. In the middle of the night, I’d upped and left. I cried a river of tears the whole way to the town I’d found when I was running one night. I wished more than anything that I could take him with me. But he was a better person than I was. He would stay, to protect everybody. Me? It was too much for me. I couldn’t continue the way I was.
“Wow. I see your lying skills still haven’t improved. How the fuck you’ve survived this long on your own, I’ll never know.” He rolls his eyes, releasing the doorframe from his furious grip. His hands had left indents in the wood. Good job I could disappear so the landlord wouldn’t make me pay for that.
“As you can see, I survived just fine,” I say, opening my arms, and gesturing to the room. “Now, go,” I stand from the bed, walking on shaky legs over to him. He’d always had this hold over me. “Leave, before I hurt you.”
A smirk spreads across his face, as he leans down to my 5ft 5 height, “I’d like to see you try,” he whispers, making heat shoot through my body. “I’d say don’t make promises you can’t keep, but you’re a pro at that already aren’t you.”
Hurt shoots through my heart, I always regretted leaving him. There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t miss him. “I didn’t want to go,” I whispered, looking at the ground.
“I don’t believe a word you say anymore, Zara. Now let’s go before I make you.”
He had an amazing way of turning my sadness into a pure rage with just a few words. “Make me.” I snap, standing tall, hands on my hips.
A genuine, perfectly-toothed smile appears on his gorgeous face. “Gladly.” He says, ripping off his leather jacket. I get my fists ready, as I prepare to face off in a fistfight with the only man I’ve ever loved. I really hoped that this fist fight would end up with our clothes off
