Sliding my backpack over my shoulder, I walked back to the building and circled it, looking for cameras. They were only at the front entrance. Was that why they hired security? It seemed like cameras would save money in the long run, but who was I to tell rich fucks how to spend their money? Feeling cocky, I went right to the back door and was shocked to find it ajar. A thin cardboard box propped it open. Had Micah been taking a smoke break and simply forgotten to shut the door? Or maybe he’d had no reason to feel scared, so he kept it open always. Either way, I strode right in, letting my eyes adjust to the utter darkness.
With the darkness came confidence. I unzipped my bag and removed my knife and mask, sliding one over my face, while the other rested in my fist.Listening closely, I heard something off in the distance. A TV maybe. I began walking slowly toward the light and sound. Then, I heard his obnoxious laughter and relaxed. I shook my head as I inhaled deeply, smelling the familiar scent of decent weed. The stupid fuck was high.That would make for an interesting chase.
I turned into the room he was in. His feet were propped up on a large table, and his back was toward me. In front of him were a dozen screens I assumed were meant to be security footage, but instead were all connected and playing one large version of the Adam Sandler movie,Little Nicky. I recognized the film almost instantly.What was this guy, twelve?
Another joke was said and Micah threw up his hands in laughter, as if he were in the theater watching it for the first time. I stepped forward, confident he couldn’t hear me, and gripped the knife tighter. This would be an easy slash.
“Aw fuck. I need a drink.” He spun around in his chair and stood. I froze, and for a long moment, we were eye-to-eye with each other. Both of us confused and shocked at seeing the other.He ducked and ran under me, crashing into something in the darkness. I rolled my eyes and followed him out slowly, not feeling the need to push my lungs.
“There’s no point in running, Micah.” I raised my voice to disguise it.
“Who the fuck are you?”
“Why? Do you have enemies, Micah?”
More crashing of metal on metal came as he ran.
“No! I didn’t do anything. I’m not the problem here.” I caught him in the lobby and I hurried over, swinging my knife into the thick rack of women’s dresses. I made contact with something, but it was a quick swipe.
“Fuck!” he hissed and darted out of the rack holding his arm. Blood pooled down his skin, staining his white security shirt.
“Micah, this is pointless,” I teased. “I’m going to get you regardless of if you run or not.”
I followed the loud sounds he was causing. I dodged the racks and shelves he pushed in my way. I stepped over everything calmly, knowing that eventually he’d slow down or fall, and I’d go in for the kill.
He turned a corner and I followed behind. We both jumped when I turned and bumped into him. Reflex made me thrust my arm out and right into his thigh, sinking my pig sticker deep into the muscle.He screamed and pulled away. The knife stayed in my grasp. He fell against the wall and began to wail. God, he was worse than Soleil.
“Why are you doing this?” he cried out, trying to stumble away.
I kicked his ribs, rolling him over, and I straddled him. I wanted to look into his glazed eyes as they went out when I stabbed his heart.I raised the knife and then froze.
“Micah? Bro, are you in here? I’m out!” a man called.Micah and I stared at each other for a minute before he started to scream.
“I’m in here! Help! I’ve been stabbed!”I jumped off of him and rolled, darting out of the room and to the closest exit, which was the front. I paused, remembering the cameras, and then turned back around. I found the back door exit in complete darkness and sprinted outside. Police sirens were blaring and becoming louder at an alarming rate. I looked around and with a deep sigh, I stretched and took off toward the thick tangle of trees down the hill.
Rule 68 - Constantine
Don’t let them take you alive.
The sirens were intense, ringing loudly in my ears as I fled the scene, swearing to myself over and over. I didn't kill him. Fuck!
The woods I'd rushed into were hilly and I was struggling to stay upright. My boots slid with every step upward, and my legs buckled on the way back down.This wasn't a popular track, made clear but how heavy the branches and leaves were. It was a tangled mess, a dream for someone like me normally. The chaser, but now, trying to get away, this was intense on my body and mind.
Dogs barking from a distance, along with large flashlights pulled me forward. I continued to swear as I ran, trying to make it through the trees. I didn't even know where this led out. Would I put so much energy into finding an exit only to find police on the other side waiting for me?
Flashlights, dogs, and voices grew louder, and my steps grew faster, until as I was running down a steep hill, I slipped and tumbled down, impaling a thick branch right through my thigh muscle.An involuntary scream came out of my mouth and I quickly slammed my jaw shut.
"What was that?"
"Where did that come from?"Hissing, I stared down at the branch, firmly planted in my leg, and swallowed. I grit my teeth and reached for it, gripping it with both hands. I began to pull, but the hot flash of pain was too intense and I had to stop almost instantly. My forehead grew slick with sweat as I assessed my situation. I only had moments to make a decision.
Taking a deep breath, I moved my hands up about seven inches and snapped the branch, leaving it inside my leg. I struggled to my feet and started forward. The limp was involuntary. I could feel the branch inside me with every stretch of my leg, but it was be captured or get away, and I was choosing the latter.
Despite my best efforts. I struggled to keep quiet. My grunts of pain, paired with the blood I was leaving everywhere, would lead the dogs to me soon. I needed to get the fuck out of here. Hiding in a tree or underbrush was no longer an option.
My entire body was soaked through with sweat from the pain and effort it was taking me to move. My vision was tunneling, but I continued to drag myself forward, finally reaching the paved road.Relief washed over me, but only for a moment, as I saw nothing but the road. Which way was my fucking car? I turned left and decided that it was better than just standing by the trees. If I got somewhere with buildings or cars and passed out, I could claim that I'd been attacked too, but only if I was far enough away from the original crime. It was too obvious if I was still by the woods.
I collapsed twice. The pain was excruciating. Blood gushed from the wound with each step. I was lightheaded, and still, I mustered on until finally, I saw the parking lot in which Micah's dad's store was and knew that my car wasn't far away..
