SPECIAL UNIT

My steps echoed around the alleyway, each slap of my feet followed by one of my pursuers, and every time I heard him I only began running faster. My breaths came in short, quick gasps and my legs were becoming weaker with every step, I knew I couldn’t last much longer before I would collapse.

“Get back here you little bitch,” he gasped.

His voice bounced around the alley, and with each word I could hear that he was tiring as well. I took a deep breath in and determination set in, I would not stop running until he did. I would outlast him, and I would get away.

A small smile made its way to my lips as I heard his steps falter and slow but I looked behind me just to make sure that he really was stopping, to make sure that I really was in the clear, but that was my mistake. When I glanced behind me I saw he was slowing and a feeling of relief spread through my veins, and then I was falling.

My hands shot out to catch me instinctively, to stop my face from crashing into the pavement below, and they bent at the joint catching my weight. I heard him laugh behind me, and his steps quickly began to draw closer to me. Panic jolted through my bones, fucking hell Charlie, you’ve screwed yourself.

My temper had gotten the best of me, and like my mother had said, it had put me in a dangerous situation.

I pushed myself up, stumbling again as I tried to regain my balance, my nerves causing my limbs to shake like a leaf. I turned around and began backing up slowly, my hands held up in the air to show that I meant no harm, and I looked him straight in the eyes trying to ignore the sadistic smile that was growing on his face.

“Oh, where’s the spitfire attitude that you so kindly greeted me with before,” he taunted.

I bit back the snarky response that wanted to leave my lips, as much as I wanted to, speaking my mind would only put me in more danger then it already had. He pouted at me as he continued walking towards me, a preparatory element beginning to develop in his gait, and I had a sinking suspicion of what twisted thoughts were running through his head.

“Awe, doll, have I left you speechless?”

Fists clenched, accompanied by an angry glare, I finally spoke up. “I’m not sure speechless is the right word you prick.”

He smirked, appearing to be satisfied by the quiver of fear in my tone that I failed to mask. He took a few more steps towards me before he stopped. I gulped. My back was to the wall and he was no more than four paces away from me. He could easily bridge the distance within seconds.

“So bambola, wanna play a game?”

I shivered under his gaze. His eyes were filled with lust and a twisted gleam was present, I knew what he had planned for me and I knew that he had done this to others before. I planted my feet, shifting one foot further back than the other, and entered fighting stance. I would not let myself be another of his victims, I couldn’t.

“Fuck off you twisted bastard.” I ignored the panic that grew when the sentence left my lips. I had to watch my words, I can’t risk making him madder than he already is.

He narrowed his eyes at me and gritted his teeth. “C’mon sweetheart, that’s no way to talk to a man.”

“I’m pretty sure true men don’t rape teens.”

I felt my heart stop. Fuck! Why can’t I control my temper? This is only going to make the situation worse. You idiotic, loose-lipped moron!

“What did you say?”

I felt my hand clench into a fist again, only this time in an attempt to hide my shaking hands. I had screwed up, I had escalated the situation. There was no way I would be able to talk myself out of this one, although there might not have been a way to begin with, but I had to try. This wasn’t a fight I thought I could win.

“Sir—” I didn’t bother to hide the venom that dripped from that goddamn word. “I was asking for you to let me go, my boyfriends expecting me.” I smiled at the lie. I didn’t have a boyfriend but maybe this would intimidate him, make him think that someone was waiting for me and would be worried if I didn’t arrive soon. No one actually was, I told my parents I was going for a walk. They wouldn’t expect me for at least another hour.

His eyebrows raised in surprise and he shifted his weight onto a different leg. A feeling of triumph bloomed in my chest, the lie was working, he was nervous. His body language proved it.

“Boyfriend?”

I nodded. “Yes, we’re going on a date tonight. It’s our five month anniversary.” The lies slipped easily from my lips and I prayed they sounded believable, this had to work.

He looked me up and down and I tried to relax my stance, I had to make this believable. And it didn’t help that I was indeed a terrible liar. His trailing eyes stopped at my hands, and with a jolt of panic I realized that they were still clenched. A telltale sign that I was nervous, and a telltale sign that I was lying.

He laughed. “You know bambola you may have the smarts for a situation like this, but you’re a terrible liar.”

My stomach dropped. Fuck. Play it off, play it off! “Sir, I don’t know what you mean.”

A spark of annoyance showed in his eye. “Stop lying,” his voice was heavy with what I assumed was anger.

“I’m not lying,” I yelled. “God’s you’re so thick-headed. You couldn’t take the hint with the girl by the bar and you assume that I’m lying because you want to fuck me? You’re unbelievable.”

I stared at him and prayed that my performance was enough to fool him. He was three times my weight goddamn it, this wasn’t a fight I could win. I could possibly get him down for a minute, maybe long enough to run away and possibly get help, but that was too many “maybe”s and “possibly”s. I couldn’t risk it. He needed to buy my act.

His hands clenched together again. “WILL YOU STOP LYING GODDAMN IT. YOU LYING LITTLE SLUT.” He quickly closed the distance between us and threw a quick punch that landed on my nose. I smashed back into the wall and tried to ignore the dizzying waves that were crashing into me.

Of course he had to go for my motherfucking nose first.

He lifted me up in the air, his fingers digging into my hips, and I brought my elbow down hard on his head. He dropped me, in turn grabbing his crown, and took a few staggering steps back.

Fucking hell, that wasn’t even a good blow.

I took a few steps forward and, while he was still disoriented, grabbed him by his shoulders and kneed him in his manhood.

A strangled cry left his lips and he took a few more staggering steps backward. He looked up at me and all that was present was rage. I laughed bitterly. He was angry that someone fought back, although I’m sure I wasn’t helping at all with my temper and everything, but still.

“You bitch,” he screamed, his face beginning to become a striking shade of crimson.

I pouted at him, not caring to keep myself in check. He was already pissed, and nothing I could do would change that, so I saw no need to keep my attitude in line. My life was in danger goddamn it, apologies if I made this asshole mad, and by seeming unafraid I made myself feel less afraid. “Oh sorry, does it hurt?”

He shook his head and raised his anger filled eyes to meet mine. “I’m going to fucking kill you.”

I gulped again and pushed down that fear that was beginning to build. I couldn’t let him know I was afraid, that gave him power, and I couldn’t let him have any more power over me. “Take your best shot.”

“With pleasure.” He stood straight up and within a second he had a gun pointing at my head. Stupid! How didn’t you notice that before! I felt my eyes widen and I took a step back.

“Holy mother of fucking god, you have a gun.”

He laughed. A twisted, sadistic smile began to grow on his face again, as he pulled the glock back and loaded it. “Awe, you scared now?”

I stared at the gun, hands shaking, and tried to breathe. Of course I’m scared, you have a loaded gun pointed at me! “If I said yes would you put the gun down?” I hated that there was a quiver in my voice when I spoke.

His smile grew, and his anger seemed to disappear when he realized that I was afraid. When he realized that he did have power, and that he was taking more by the minute. “Hmm, I don’t think so bambola.”

I bit down hard on the inside of my mouth. Stop calling me doll you asshole! “Well then what are you gonna do? Are we just gonna stand here, or are you going to shoot me?”

God please don’t shoot me, please just let me go.

He cocked his head as if he could hear my thoughts. “You are shockingly calm considering this entire situation.”

I shrugged and tried to appear as calm as possible, my mothers words ringing in my ears. “Fear gives them power Goob, remember that.” “Everyone dies, we just don’t know how.”

He threw his head back and laughed, his grip loosening on the gun for just a moment, and I took that as an opening. I quickly smashed my elbow up, smiling when I heard the crack of his jaw, and rammed my shoulder into his hand.

The gun went sailing.

“You don’t know when to quit, do you?” He grabbed me from behind and pinned my arms against my chest.

I smiled. “No, I really don’t.” I threw my head back into his nose and didn’t wait a second before kicking the inside of his foot. His grip loosened and I turned around and kneed him in his balls again.

“You fucking cunt, you really want to die don’t you?” He was crumpled over in pain, so much to the point that he didn’t notice he was five steps away from the gun I had knocked away moments before.

“Good. Keep it that way, don’t let him see it.”

“I mean—” I drawled, “—not particularly anymore.”

Surprise racked through my body when he chuckled, but it was soon replaced with fear when I noticed his gaze had fallen on the gun. Shit. Draw his attention back to you, away from the gun. I could possibly stand a chance against him without a weapon, hell even a knife, but not a gun.

I took a breath in, trying to still my racing heart enough to formulate a plan. I needed to focus, and I couldn’t do that if my heart was racing fast enough for me to pass out. Get it together!

I took another deep breath and began racking my brain for a plan, but I could think of nothing. A feeling of dread settled heavy over my shoulders, its weight almost like that of a weighted blanket, when I realized that all the power was in his hands.

“But it doesn’t have to be. You know you have the power, end this. Reach down deep and take hold of your gift.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again. No, that wasn’t real, it was just a dream that my subconscious was grabbing hold of. There was no hope, it was just grasping at straws, grasping at ways that I might walk away from this.

I was too tired, from the running and from the fights, and I just wanted to fall to the ground and cry, but I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. If he was going to take my life he could look me in the eyes as he pulled the trigger. He could look me in my eyes and see that even though he took my life he didn’t win.

When I glanced up again the gun was in his hand and it was pointed towards me. “Any last words?”

“Yeah, fuck you.”

Bang!

I closed my eyes and waited for the pain, but seconds passed by and there was nothing. No searing pain in my temple. No gut wrenching agony that every gunshot survivor describes. Nothing. What was happening?

“What the fuck. You’re one of them?”

One of who? My eyes flew open and I met his gaze, only this time they weren’t filled with anger, they were filled with fear. My heart-rate started to elevate again and my breath came in quick short gasps. What did he mean? What happened to the bullet?

He hit himself in the head, gun still in hand. Once, twice, and finally a third. “Shit, boss is going to kill me.”

“What the fuck are you going on about? One of them? Boss?” The words were barely audible so I wasn’t surprised when he didn’t respond and instead continued his spiral.

“I have to fix this, god dammit what do I do?” I knew he wasn’t asking me, he was asking himself, that much was obvious. Suddenly a gleam entered his eyes again. “That’s it, I’ll bring her in.” A smile made its way to his lips.

Bring me in? What the hell is this guy smoking?

He looked up again. “So bambola, there’s been a change in plans—” he trailed off, a sick look on his face, “—I’m bringing you in to see my boss.”

The hell you’re not!

I scoffed. “Yeah? What makes you think that?”

His smile only grew. “Well I’m the one with a gun so—”

Oh really, I never would have guessed you sick fuck. “And?”

His posture dropped for a millisecond before he caught himself and corrected the small mistake. He was still afraid. He was still afraid of me.

“C’mon, don’t play hard to get sweetheart, the big man will love you. Nothing to be scared of.”

I scoffed and tried to speak past the lump that was in my throat. So much is happening. “Totally. Nothing to be scared of, even though you were worried about him killing you. Right?”

His adams apple bobbled. “That’s different.”

I raised an eyebrow to show I was listening. “How so?”

“Good thinking, gather information. Maybe he’ll let something slip. But still be on the lookout for a way out.”

“Because—” he stopped as if something had dawned on him. “You know what? Shut up. I don’t have to tell you anything.” He took a step towards me, teeth bared, and I tried to take a step back.

Godsdammit, I’m already against the wall! I raised my hands in the air in a futile attempt to calm him down. Look! See? My hands are up, I mean no harm! “Hey, calm down. I was just asking.”

“I don’t care,” he hissed. He took another step forwards.

Get away from me! Another shot of panic sped through my body. “Hey. Don’t take another step.”

He chuckled and took yet another step.

“I mean it, not another step.” I hated how weak I sounded, how much my voice shook with every word.

“C’mon tesoro, you can’t beat me. You have no idea how to use your gifts, not to mention your exhausted—”

His words flew past me. Gifts? What did he mean “you have no idea how to use your gifts”? I snapped back into reality when I realized he had stopped speaking and was just staring at me with a bemused expression lining his face.

“What you looking so confused for darlin’?”

“What do you mean by gifts,” I hissed back.

Understanding dawned on his face. “You don’t know.”

I laughed dryly, the fear leaving my body and annoyance taking its place. Know what? “All I know is that you’re a crazy man who has a gun pointed at my head.”

He looked at me, his mouth practically dragging on the ground. “They haven’t found you yet—” His voice was muted, he was talking to himself again. “How?”

I stared at the man before me, my patience running thin. Yes he had a gun. Yes he had tried to kill and possibly rape me. Yes, I had no way of escaping, but that didn’t change the fact that he was spitting nonsense and refused to explain. “Hey, fuck-face. Care to elaborate?”

He shook his head and locked eyes with me. “Yeah, there’s no way I can let you get away. You’re off their radar, and this is just the thing I need to get promoted.”

I’m sure that any lesser man would have shrunk under my gaze, hell he was shrinking under my gaze. “What the hell do you mean?”

He smirked and tried to seem unafraid, but the look in his eye told me differently. He was still afraid of me. Why! “C’mon darlin’, we’ve gotta get a move on. Can’t risk them coming to inspect the flash, eh?”

What flash? What is he talking about!

He took another step towards me and I lost it.

“Stay away from me!” The words tore from my throat before I even had a chance to stop them, and I hated it. They were shrill and the fear in them was stifling. No matter how much I pushed it down, how much I tried to pretend and cover it up, it wouldn’t go away. It didn’t matter if other emotions surfaced stronger for a moment, they still faded but it didn’t. The fear wouldn’t go away.

“Now c’mon doll, don’t be like that—”

All I could hear was thrumming, my blood rushing around my body due to my speeding heart. What was going on? A shiver of fear racked through my body, why was this happening?

A single tear made its way down my cheek and I stifled a sob.

“No! C’mon, don’t cry. If you cry he wins.”

What does it matter, he already knows. He already knows he’s won. I shook my head, in death I was going crazy. I was hearing voices in my head, and responding to them. I had entirely lost my mind.

“Goddamit, you’re not going to die, and you’re not going crazy. Why the hell didn’t the agency get to you sooner?”

I clenched my hair in between my fingers. The voice was so loud, it hurt. It’s voice was ringing around me, and it wouldn’t shut up. Why can’t I die in peace? Let me die in peace.

“Oi, what the fuck is wrong with you? Why are you like that?”

“Well part of the problem is you, you moronic grunt!”

“Both of you shut up!” A sound halfway between a laugh and sob escaped my lips. I was going insane, I was going to die or be sold into some human trafficking ring, and no one would shut up.

“Both of us?” His voice quivered and his face paled. “Shit, they’re coming. We’ve got to go, now.”

“You moron. You’ve blown our cover!”

I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the voice, pushing it out of my head, before I opened my eyes only to be filled with panic. He was getting closer. His hand grabbed my wrist and I pushed him away.

Or, that’s how it was supposed to happen. Suddenly my hands were hot, to the point they felt like they were on fire, and instead of them just pushing him away a blast of light left them.

No, not light. Light wouldn’t have made him soar and crash into a wall. Energy. Oh god, it wasn’t a dream, that really happened.

I stared down at my shaking hands, my hands that had just caused a man to go flying into a wall. The same man who had a gun to my head, the same man who was lying crumpled on the ground unmoving.

Oh god he wasn’t moving. I rushed forward, the only thoughts in my mind of making sure that the man was okay, that he wasn’t dead. I didn’t care if he had threatened to kill me, if he had threatened to take one of the only pieces of innocence I still had, I had to make sure he was okay. I wanted to save lives. I never wanted to take one, even if it was someone who only had a few shreds of humanity left.

I let out a sigh of relief when my fingers met his neck and I felt his pulse flutter strong beneath them. Good, he was okay. I stood up again and glanced towards the entrance of the alley. He’s okay. I can leave, get the police, and finally end this nightmare.

Thank whatever god or goddess is above.

Before I knew it I was sprinting, attempting to recall the route to the closest police station. I have to go right. I turned the corner sharply and collided into something.

Ouch.

I glanced up, thinking that I had crashed into a wall in my haste, only to be met with an annoyed pair of light brown eyes. Wait, brown eyes— a person!

“Hey,” my voice stammered out, “I need help. There was, is, this man—” I began to trail off before I caught myself. “He cornered me in the alley and he, he tried to—”

Idiot, you can’t get help if you don’t tell them what happened!

“He made it seem like he was trying to rape me, but something happened and he changed his mind mentioning something about his boss, saying that he was going to bring me in instead.” I paused and took a breath in, woozy from all the oxygen I had depleted in my haste. “I knocked him out, he’s unconscious in the alley right now, but I need to get to the police—”

The stranger raised his hands. “Hey, take a deep breath. You’re talking a million miles a minute.”

I glanced up at him, shocked and slightly hurt. Had he heard nothing I had said? Did he not hear what he was going to do? Does he not care? “Oh, uh, sorry.”

He chuckled, fucking chuckled, and smiled at me. “No worries, so what do you need again?”

“I. Need. Help.” I repeated.

He raised an eyebrow. “With?”

With? Are you kidding me? “With getting to the police station? I need to get them, they need to take him in.” I didn’t care how shrill my voice was getting. I was sitting here talking while the man was lying in the alley, probably waking up, and this stranger was doing nothing to help. I’m wasting time.

“Who again?”

I lost it. “The man that just tried to rape and kidnap me? I need to get the police, so if you’re not going to help I need to move, he might wake up soon.”

He held his hands up, his expression remaining unfazed. “Whoa, slow down. He tried to do what?”

My teeth clenched together, grinding so hard I was sure that they were going to break in half. “Rape and kidnap me.”

He nodded. “Okay, so where is he?”

“In the alley,” I screeched. Why was this man so slow, and why did his voice sound oddly familiar?

He nodded yet again. “Okay, take me to him.”

Take me to him? “Shouldn’t we get the police? We need to reach them before he wakes up and, y’know, escapes?”

He shook his head. “No, we need to make sure he’s still there.” He spoke slowly, like he was speaking to a child, and it was infuriating.

Why did he need to see him? Did he not believe me? Did he think I was making this all up?

I bit my lip, attempting to keep my thoughts to myself. Yelling at this stranger wouldn’t get me to the police faster, it would only cause me to lose more time. More time than I could already afford to lose. “You can go see him, I need to get to the police.” I pushed past him.

“Why do the newbies always have to be so damn stubborn?” he muttered. “Hey, kid, c’mere.”

I stopped dead in my tracks, fists clenched to the point where my knuckles were white, and turned. “What,” I hissed.

His eyes locked with mine. “Sleep.”

That’s when the world went black.