• “No, No, NO!” I scream, trying to escape from the grasp of the strange, hooded figure. “I’m not her! I swear!”

    Feeling the hammering of my heart against my chest, my glasses blurring to the point where I can barely see outlines. My clothes cling to my body as the chilling rain pierces through me.
    Shakily following the path of the street lights, I try and focus to the sound of the steady rhythm of my feet. My muscles aching for me to stop, not knowing that I can’t. I can only pray that this is all a terrible dream- a nightmare. I’ve tried to force myself awake but the constant spray of water in my face is all I need to let me know that I’m awake, that this is real and that I’m still breathing.

    For now.

    With my arm guarding my eyes, I push through the storm. Hastily, I run into an alleyway between two apartment buildings, hoping to find a way to the main town; the strong, cold winds pushing me back. Turning back briefly, I can’t see the tall figure follow after me into the alleyway yet- Crash!

    Feeling pain blossom in my right shoulder, down to my wrist, I adjust my glasses to look at the wall I collided with. A dead end. Frantically, I scream for help, repeatedly, searching the apartment windows for any sign of life- that I’m not alone. “Anyone! Please!” I yell as I try to call to the people in the first floor apartment. I see shadows in the window, and I plead with the people inside to let me in. “Please! I need help!”

    God I must sound crazy.

    Seeing and hearing no movement in the window, I change plans. With only the sound of the rain to comfort me, I feel tears sting in my eyes. Cursing to myself; I try and look for a way up. The walls feel as if they’re closing in on me, inching closer and closer, and the alleyway feeling much smaller than I remember.

    I shake my head, trying to dismiss the thought. Some of my hair sticks to my face as I look for somewhere to run, to hide, anything but being caught by whoever that is. Desperately, I try to scale the wall, pulling over a nearby bin, I climb atop it, trying to reach the first floor balcony, but my arms are too short. I jump, and catch the edge, but I slip as I land, turning so that I landed on my hands and knees. I feel the blood oozing out of cuts on my knees and palms- and I realise that I’m left with two options: fight or run.

    I would run- but where to?

    I could try and fight, but I’m sure I’ll get beaten within minutes- no, seconds even.
    Finding more questions than answers, I almost cry out in my pitiful situation.
    The sound of slow heavy footsteps make their way to my ears. The heavy rain suddenly becoming nothing more than a faint buzz in the background, I slowly turn my head to the footsteps.

    There, standing in the flickering white light of the street lamp, is my pursuer. Clad in a long black overcoat from head to toe, every inch of this man is covered in black, with a hood over his head, I can’t make out his face in the shadows. I take a step backwards from my spot as he approaches me, taking another three before I trip over a lone wooden crate. I can feel my hands dig into the concrete below, wondering how much more injury I have to face.
    I scramble to get up, keeping my eyes on the darkness that covers his visage. Any hope of escape has left me, I accept my fate.

    I might die.

    If I’m going to die, I want to know who kills me.

    “I finally have you, Maia.” A deep, menacing voice spits out. Reaching into his inner jacket breast pocket, he takes heavy steps towards me. Unable to find my footing, whether in fear or lack of friction, I stare up at what could be the last person I ever see. Amongst the darkness, I see pale white teeth, and mismatched irises. Blue and brown.

    As a last attempt, I try to plead with him, I shout, “I’m not Maia! My name is Emma! You have the wrong-”

    “Shut up! Your tricks won’t work with me.” He cuts me off, and finally pulls his hand out of his pocket.

    Glistening darkly, a deep metallic black object shines in the faint light. In his hand, is my death.
    A gun.

    I suck in a deep breath, closing my eyes.

    …I don’t want to d-

    A single shot rings out amongst the rain.

    “Foolish girl.” A hushed voice whispers.

    A deep red- warm liquid mixes and mingles with the clear rain water. Pooling at the feet of the man, he takes a step back from his work, the smell of iron and rain hitting his nose. Staring down at the poor, unfortunate girl. Like a piece of art, he glares deeply at it, trying to understand. With short, light brown hair, fair skin, a scar behind her right ear, a timid and lonely temperament and now, empty green eyes- she fit the description perfectly.

    Doubt flickers in his eyes.

    Could it be, that she is not-

    He shakes his head. He must be right. He must. He must.

    He must.
    -T.Y.T-


    The school bell rings briefly, signalling the end to an uneventful birthday. Hearing the screech of chairs as everyone leaves their seats, I try and fit everything into my bag. “Hey, Maia!” I hear my name called excitedly behind me. Swivelling in my seat, I see rushing up through the room, is my best friend, Elaine- a short girl- bubbling with energy, weaving her way through the incoming bodies of departing classmates. Her blonde ponytail bouncing as she approaches me, matching her bright blue eyes.

    Here we go again.

    Mentally, I roll my eyes, already knowing what she’s going to say. “I’m so sorry Maia! I have a match today- But I swear I’ll buy you food later!” Or something around those lines… Having apologised three times today already, I forgave her the moment she walked up to me in homeroom; with the look on her face that said ‘I think I kicked a puppy’. I can never stay mad at her.

    “Maia, I’m really, really-”

    “El- it’s okay. Seriously. I know how much this game means to you.” Cutting her off, she just throws me an apologetic look, tilting her head sideways slightly.
    “…Okay.” She accepts, clutching her gym bag in hand, “But I swear! I’ll get you the best apology gift ever!” Running up to me, she presses a quick hug and butterfly kiss to my cheek before dashing out of the door.

    I sigh downheartedly, I was never seen taking part in sports or arts as a past time. I never have had enough motivation to participate in school activities, despite the fact that I prefer to stay out of the house.

    Even on my birthday.

    Glancing at the open door, I wonder whether I should have gotten her to cancel.

    I can feel my palms sweat, and chew the inside of my cheek. No. I can’t do that.

    Shaking from my thoughts, I realise I’m the last to go, and I hurriedly walk towards to door.
    However, I’m stopped as a figure blocks my exit- my English teacher, Mr Mays blocks the way. A young man, with a tall and slender figure- kind grey eyes on a face that you can’t say ‘No’ to; he is often the talk of both the staff room and many of the hallways. “I need to speak to you Ms Roberts.” He speaks amply, with a light smile on his face.

    Should be worried? Or is this a good thing?

    Raising an eyebrow at him, he insists on smiling, motioning to his desk in the middle of the room.

    I slowly walk over, pacing myself, spotting familiar faces through the nearby window, I can already feel the shocked stares lock onto me, particularly of a blonde girl with five too many layers of make-up. I can’t glare back, as a sturdy but gentle voice demands my attention.

    “It seems that we’re going to have a late-comer tomorrow, and I trust you to look after him tomorrow.”

    From his chair, he grins with a disarming smile. I can only weakly return it and nod in agreement.

    “Sure. No problem.”

    I feel angry stares on me as he reaches his hand out to shake my hand, I reluctantly accept as a kind gesture.

    With a firm grip, my small hand feels trapped, as he begins again, “But do be careful- he can be a bit of a handful!” He warns, with an oddly foreboding but also cheerful look on his face. Before I can question him, he motions me towards the door, dismissing me without a word. Stepping outside, I turn try and talk to him.

    He? Who is ‘he’?

    “Have a great day and a happy birthday, Miss Roberts!”

    “Uh- but- Who is-”

    The door almost slams in my face, only an inch away, and I’m left alone in the deserted hallway.

    With my steps echoing as I approach the double doors of the school, the light shining off of the dust particles like small specs of glitter. I like school better this way- quiet and peaceful.

    I see a figure leaning on one of the doors. The stranger is tall- with slightly tanned skin and messy dark hair, he’s wearing a white wife-beater shirt and worn jeans, I can see something glitter at me on his chest- a necklace; and I can tell by his physique that he’s isn’t a stranger to weights, or girls (probably).

    Pushing on the opposite door, I do my best to openly ignore him. My plan isn’t well executed as he notices me, and as I take a step outside, he grabs my forearm. “Hey. You know some Maia Roberts? I’m supposed to meet her here.” He asks, and I pale slightly.

    I’m Maia Roberts.

    Stiffening in his grip, I wonder if this is some kind of revenge or retribution from those annoying girls that call themselves ‘popular’- regretting the times when I ‘accidentally slipped’ itching powder in their hand chalk before big games.

    I start to become nervous, and I forget to reply. His grip tightening to catch my attention again.

    “Hey! Do you know her or not?” He demands angrily, “Can you even speak?”

    He pulls me closer, with an annoying, mocking smirk on his face, I take a moment to take in his features, with a square and slightly pointed face- he looks like he belongs in some shirtless advertisement with some underdressed girl.

    I jerk my arm out of his grasp before he notices, startling him.

    “Don’t be so rude! I don’t even know you!” I yell back, annoyed with his cockiness. With an impressed look on his face, I hold back a grin.

    “What do you want with her anyway?” Feigning a growing fear with anger, I try to hide my nervousness with my arms crossed and my back to him, I turn my head slightly to see his reaction.

    His eyes thin, mentally judging whether he should tell me. He stands up straight, and I realise his height, at least a head taller than me, he towers over my 5”5 figure. “I need to… speak, with her.” He replies slowly, and I can tell by his suspicious tone that he wants to do more than talk.

    What a great birthday.

    Taking a rushed step away from him I quickly say, “I-I don’t know where she is. Sorry!” I bustle down the long path without a hitch, avoiding as many people as possible and refusing the urge to turn around. I make it to the gates, glancing behind me briefly, and I can still see him look up, with his eyes firmly planted at me. I mentally kick myself for turning back, but I have no time to think.

    Like a sudden realisation, his eyes widen and he bursts into action, sprinting towards me.

    Oh dear. This is bad.

    I’m frozen for a second, before I find my limbs again and I’m sprinting down the road at my fastest pace; I feel adrenaline flowing through my veins. Looking over my shoulder, I can see him in the distance, his eyes never leaving me.

    With my heart pumping erratically in my chest- I quicken my pace as much as I can, deciding to take the long way home- I run to a nearby park where a bunch of teens my age are having an impromptu gathering. The loud music and huge crowd are just what I need.

    Diving right into the pool of people, some of them are way too drunk to notice an intruder had arrived and I weave my way through the sea of underdressed bodies. Not caring to look back, I focus on losing him- spotting an open bag with clothes left unattended at a nearby tree, almost hidden by bushes.

    Please forgive me, ignoring my moral compass with a silent promise to try and return the stuff later- quickly picking it up and rushing to the bathrooms.

    I hide in a stall in the female toilets, quickly putting on the jogging pants over my shorts and the dark hoodie over my long sleeved jumper. I remove my light brown hair from my Plait and tie it into a ponytail, putting on the cap and dark shades, I hastily stuff my bag into the borrowed one- trying to casually leave the stall.

    I spot a familiar face of make-up, I do my best to duck out of her line of vision. I can feel her eyes on me for a while before returning to do her business. Walking out of the toilets, I see mister-tall-dark-and-terrifying in the clearing, searching for me.

    Wasting no time, I try to blend with the crowd. Squeezing though the close bodies, I try to not wretch at the obvious scent of alcohol. I wonder how long until the cops arrive?

    The wandering hand of some guy in shades grabs my hoodie sleeve, “Hey, babe… Where’s the booze at?” He asks drunkenly, and I point him in some random direction. He gives me a sloppy wink, and shuffles away.

    What a moron.

    I search for my pursuers face amongst the crowd, only hoping that he gave up. My hopes are soon dashed as I see him talking to some people smoking something in the corner.

    He’s still asking around, and I see the girl from the bathroom nearby. I curse to myself, only hoping that he doesn’t ask her.

    I see a pathway leading back to the main town. Side-stepping around the crowd, staying away from as many people as possible- and almost tripping over a collapsed guy, I try to manoeuvre out of the large mass.

    Eventually, I find my way; nervously smiling to myself as I walk out of the park un-noticed through the other exit. Deliberately avoiding the sweat and hormone congregation in the centre. Releasing a breath of relief, I wipe the sweat off of my forehead and I walk hastily towards my street.

    Before I know it, a strong arm latched itself on my wrist, and I’m terrified to see who it belongs to.

    He’s found me.