Forever

Prologue

Allison's POV

The wind ripped through my hair as I ran down the sidewalk, the shouts of innocent bystanders echoing around the busy street. I pushed my way through the throng of people, desperate to escape my pursuers. I wish Hugo would just give up, but even I know that's far-fetched. I turn sharply down a corner and keep running, not risking the chance of looking back and getting distracted. I turn left, and then right before finally slowing down. Breathing becomes a struggle as I gasp for air in the empty alleyway. Hearing a patter of feet I press myself against the brick wall, fear gripping my throat and ceasing my breathing. As Hugo's men run past my hiding place I let out a sigh of relief I didn't know I was holding.

Walking down the crowded main street, the familiar corner pub comes into my view. Brushing a loose piece of my blonde locks behind my ear, I come to a stop just outside the entrance. A tall, burly man dressed in black stands there, smiling back down at me.

"If it isn't the pub's most frequent buy'a!" He chuckled, his deep, gravely voice echoing around the street noisily. I smirked at him and rested my hands on my hips.

"Aren't you going to let me in Bryce? You're stalling business right here!" He raises an eyebrow and makes a dramatic motion of his hand towards the door.

"My sincerest apologies Miss Robberts, wouldn't want to keep you from ya beer!" A hint of a smile graces his lips as I walk past shaking my head at his absurd behaviour. The pub is exactly how I saw it all those years ago. The blue paint is starting to chip at the bottom and the rickety old bar stools squeak under the weight of the customers. A smiling young woman laughs at a joke between two men, two glasses of scotch in her hands. She slides them across the bar before looking over at the door to see me enter.

"Alice! Come for your Friday afternoon drink have you?" She starts to prepare my beer for me as I slip onto one of the old bar seats.

"You know me too well Jessie." I tease, resting my arms on the bar. The two men she was talking with throw a glance over their shoulder before whispering to each other. Rolling my eyes, I take my freshly-delivered glass and take a long sip, almost draining it in one go. Finishing the last tiny bit I slam my glass down and throw a sheepish smile at frowning Jessie.

"Sorry, stressful day. I'm gonna skip karaoke tonight and go home early." She smiles at me warmly, the worry seeping into her voice as she replies.

"Sure thing Alice, take care will you?" I wink and walk towards the door.

"Always have!" I sang back, exiting the rowdy pub. Giving a slight nod to Bryce on my way out, I headed down towards the towering skyscrapers a few blocks over. Finally reaching my destination, I ride up the elevator and reach my floor. The ding of the elevator brings a nearby cleaner to notice my attention and scowls before slowly trundling away with her trolley.

I unlock my door and step inside, the calming scent of vanilla wrapping itself around me. Sighing in content, I close my door and slide all my locks shut before heading to the bedroom. I change into my shorts and T-shirt before slipping under the soft covers and falling asleep.

~

A loud crash from a few floors below wakes me up from my restless sleep. Hearing the outraged cries of the hotel guests I quickly get into survival mode. Grabbing my backpack from the edge of my bed, I quickly ensure that I have food and water, and a change of clothes. I always keep a bag ready for emergencies such as this. If it really is Hugo's men downstairs, then I am in a whole world of trouble if I don't leg it out of here. Using my heightened hearing, I listen for which end of the building they are in, pleading that they aren't in the middle.

For once, luck seems to be on my side as I make a dash for the emergency fire escape. I force the door open and run down the stairs, my feet pattering loudly on the concrete steps. Just as I'm about to pass the third floor a door swings out in front of me, knocking me to the ground.

"Well well well, what do we have here?"

~

A/N
Hey guys, Happy New Years Eve! I'm bringing you a brand new story today. I hope you enjoy and please don't forget to vote, comment, share - the whole lot! Don't be a ghost reader ;)

~Renee xx