2AM

01. The Welfare Lady

'Take the risk or lose the chance.'

❁

I crouched down, making sure I couldn't be heard over the heavy rain down pouring. My boots strained to shuffle across the rough concrete, but I knew better the minute I make too much noise I was done for. Slowly and quietly I shifted my weight to my thighs and shuffled through and around the boxes and garbage bins in the dimly lit alley way.

I was aware I didn't have time, I never had time. The sound of sirens getting closer shook me out of my daze. This was it, I needed to get out now. Right this second. Pronto. My feet led me past a small dingy bar that was around the corner. The street across was wide. Too wide to not be noticed even if it was fairly dark, and there were a few drunkards looming around, but then again how could they notice if they probably started having the mindset of a child and started having delusions like: whispering to trucks " I know your secret....*burps loudly*.... y-your Optimus Prime." Hell maybe even I would believe that. If I was drunk. Definitely not coming from experience.

Sucking in a breath I crouched down again ready to slowly sneak over to the other side of the street using the cars as a cover. Tucking a stray strand of my hair behind my ear I quickly hid behind the car closest to me right as someone walked—well they really just stumbled out cradling a bottle of Jack Daniels in their arms while singing happy birthday, very well might I add. As quietly as I could, I raced to the truck across the street and hid beside it. Just as I was about to hide in the alleyway a loud authoritative voice called out, and I froze in my spot.

"FREEZE!" he growled out. I swear all these cops try to sound like attractive men while catching someone but they end up sounding like a dead mule trying to catch their prey. Lucky for me this prey is smarter than this cop. Okay, scratch that my smartest idea right now is to try and outrun him. Not the best plan but ehh, better than getting shot...I guess.

"Turn around with your hands behind your head, slowly." The cop hissed out. I slowly turned around but apparently not slow enough because he shouted at me to hurry up. The cop, who I now know as Jared from looking at his tag, smirked at my 'shocked face.' My shocked face soon turned into a grin to which his untamed eyebrows creased in a deep frown. There was a long moment of silence then."Why the bloody hell are you grinning like a Cheshire cat." Jared hissed out.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Do I look like Alice in fucking Wonderland?" I pushed a big garbage trolley into Jared as he fell from the impact. "Adios amigo" I yelled over the sound of the trolley as I dragged the word out and hightailed into the alleyway.

After emerging from the dark I stepped into the crowd of paraders that were celebrating the New Years. It maybe wasn't the smartest idea to go and spray paint murals all around town, but it was a festive I celebrated. Hence why the police presence was doubled for having tourists visiting our little town named Redwater this year.

Redwater. It was—well it was one strange town. There was crime literally everywhere, and recently it dramatically increased. Thus the reason my mom, baby brother and I were moving soon to our Hometown. Where I was born, and I don't remember anything about it, even if I was at least 6 at the time. I don't have any memories of it except for the night Caden and Papa left. Redwater was dangerous, but it was my only home.

Yes, I know you might be confused by 'baby brother.' After Papa and Caden died Mama fell sick. We didn't think anything of it...obviously. But after a few weeks we found out Mama was pregnant with my baby brother Carter.