CAM

IF I had to choose a moment in time where I really wished I could fly, this would be it.

"Catch that bitch!"

I swore, glancing back at the crowd, who had terrifying weapons glinting in the moonlight, chasing after me. The resounding war cry echoed in the city.

My feet skidded on a particularly nasty patch of ice and I gripped the edge of a brick building, losing valuable time in regaining my bearings. I cannot go out like this.

Pain shot up my thighs– a rather humbling reminder of the bought-but-unused gym subscription I took out last month– and I gasped, looking around for a hiding spot.

The only sources of light came from the tiny pinpricks splashed against the dark canvas of a sky after a thick fog rolled out to obscure the moon, but the murderers were having no trouble picking me out in my blue hoodie and jeans. I knew I should've worn black today. But noo, just had to switch it up today.

I tucked my hands in the sleeves and blew some hot air into my numb fingers, frantically trying to gather my thoughts.

Now would be a fantastic time for dormant superpowers to kick in. I thought, kicking a stray rock and wincing as it hit an expensive car. Or for some super-hot random person to step in as bait right now, reveal themselves as royalty to a fantasy land and whisk me away to a place where I would never have to lift a finger for the rest of my life.

Unfortunately for me, life did not play out like a romance novel and I was stuck fending for myself. Of course, I could fight– nobody could live through the things I have and not learn how to– but I didn't fancy my chances against a very trigger-happy bunch who looked like they inhaled steroids for breakfast and feasted on children's bones at dinner.

I think you could take them. A young voice chimed in my head, full of a boyish youth that I had not heard in far too long.

Get out of my skull.

I'm just saying–

I pushed myself to run faster, replacing the remaining words with the sound of the rushing wind and blood roaring in my ears. I hadn't heard him in five years, not since the blood of–

Stop.

This was a new voice; my own. It was quite good at drowning out the other ghosts in my graveyard. Loud, obnoxious, and strangely good at giving advice– really, it was just like my best friends.

My best friends whom I was forced to abandon. Who have no idea what I'm doing with my life.

Zaza would flip out if she knew. I chuckled, stumbling to a stop at a road crossing and waiting for the little green man to turn green. Road safety is not something to take lightly, kids, even if your life is in danger.

"Come on, come on, come on," I muttered, repeatedly pressing the button and glancing back as the angry group got closer, shoving aside anyone who was in their way. I shivered as beady, murderous glares seared into the side of my head.

Green!

I let out a whoop that frightened several pedestrians and sprinted across the road, my white trainers with peeling soles getting muddy with every puddle I stepped in. I had blown my last paycheck on rent and food, leaving little left for luxuries like shoes.

There was a screech of tires and a sickening thud! followed by a volley of curses hurled into the frigid night air. I risked a peek backwards and saw my pursuers had been briefly stalled by one of their members getting hit by a car. This is why I have a healthy respect for roads.

A sudden coldness swept through my bones and almost paralysed me, but those chasing me were an effective motivation to keep going. Really, gyms should take advantage of survival instincts; I could guarantee I would run faster on a treadmill if the threat of death hung over me like the Sword of Damocles.

Screw the officers who froze my account! I shook a fist in the sky and let out a silent scream. Do you know how many people I had to kill to get that far?

I hadn't been caught for my latest kill— no, that that honour was bestowed on Melissa, whose only crime was pissing me off on the wrong day. And for the whole extorting poor people thing whose headlines I'd seen over a cup of coffee. Orange suits you, Mel. Unfortunately, she'd ratted me out in exchange for a lighter sentence. It was good I didn't give her my real name, but I blame her for the current situation. If she'd kept her damned mouth shut, I wouldn't have been here.

"Stop that woman!"

Right, back to the matter at hand.

I turned the corner into another alleyway. This was one every idiotic main character in a horror film would be told to avoid, but for some inexplicable reason choose to go down and get horribly murdered. Ten minutes late to some boring soap opera in exchange for your life– really, the choice isn't hard.

Ninety seconds. That's how long I had until the group caught up to me.

I turned my hoodie inside out to its black interior and, after promising myself I'd take a rigorous shower, ran my hands over the disgusting wall of the house behind me and smeared it over my face and jeans. Then, I kicked my leg out and slumped down next to the unfortunate souls who spent the night rotting in this godforsaken part of the city. I snapped my fingers and one of them dutifully handed me a cigarette, his lips pulling up in a gummy smile.

I was a master at hiding in plain sight. I had to be, after everything that happened.

The killers finally appeared, black coats flapping in the wind like the feathers of a deranged crow in flight, and halted in confusion. I shrank back into the shadows as they discussed amongst themselves where I could have gone, even leaning my head against the shoulder of my newfound companion to really sell the act of being a regular teenage addict.

"She must've gone this way!" One of them, clearly the leader of this little gang, pointed forwards and led the thunderous stampede deeper into the alley– which I knew for a fact led to a dead end.

Once the footsteps were sufficiently quiet enough, I pushed myself up and dropped the carcinogenic stick, stamping out the orange glow with the heel of my boot.

The cool, crisp evening air filled my lungs as I stepped out onto the busy streets like a sharp reminder of where I was and what I had just seen.

I tugged my hood up and pushed through the drunk crowds, wondering what shit storm would follow me now.

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I hope you guys liked it!

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)