The Red Doves

Chapter XIII

- Oh my god! Stop this man! screamed Suziky, pointing at Alan who was now further from the coffee shop.

Some people turned around to look at her, confused and intrigued. Arlen was the first one to come to her, with surprise, soon followed of Isaiah and Taylor.

- Who should we stop, ma'am? asked Arlen in a shy but clear voice.

Suziky looked at him, putting a fake expression of fear on her face. Then she looked at the two lovers, who were now near her as well, taking care to not rush her.

- The man in black, right there! shouted Suziky, trying to use a different voice to look more older in her costume and pointing to Alan who was now looking at her. I saw him stealing your bag, she then continued, holding Arlen's hand.

This one turned his look to the direction Suziky was showing with her index and Alan started running away in the dark alley. Isaiah acted first : he ordered Arlen to stay where he was and ran to the darkness. After a quick kiss on the teen's cheek, Taylor did the same, living the old version of Suziky and the poor victim alone.

- It's ok, miss. My boyfriend and my partner will take care of this thief, trust me, said Arlen now looking back to Suziky with a smile. They are strong guys.

- Oh my, I hope they didn't steal anything important to you, dear, said Suziky. I would be ashamed that I didn't act sooner.

- Oh, no, don't worry! It's fine, you don't need to feel guilty about this. You couldn't know what this guy was planning on us.

«Oh but I did», thought Suziky in her mind before nodding to Arlen. Everything was going perfectly.

- Would you like to sit? he asked her, nicely.

- No need, my child, answer Suziky. I am going home now.

- Do you want me to accompany you there? It is dangerous to walk alone at night.

- But your boyfriends said to wait here. I don't want them to be worried for you more than they already are for that bag of yours, kept Suziky with her acting.

- I know, but I think it's better if I bring you to your house in case another bad guy would come to hurt you, said Arlen, holding her arm softly and bringing her away from the crowd.

- Ok then if you insist. Thank you, young man. It is really sweet of you, continued Suziky, forcing a smile.

- It's a pleasure, miss. You are sweet as well, he smiled at her before turning his eyes to the streets in the near. So, do you leave near?

- Yes, but we need to take this dark hallway, Suziky answered, pointing the place Alan and her used lately as a hiding spot.

- It is pretty dark, indeed.

Arlen let the arm of Suziky go and got his hand in his back pocket. He took from there his phone and opened it. Then, after taping the screen for a few seconds, the light from the front of his cellphone turned on and we could perfectly see the dirty ground of the hallway.

- At least the thief didn't get my phone. Even though, if he had, I still have an emergency flashlight on me, just in case a moment like this happens.

- Well thought, my child. I see that you are also intelligent.

- Not that much, trust me, Arlen said with a shy laugh.

They walked in the hallway, far from the light of the coffee shop. The voices of the crowd were slowly fading and the smile of Suziky was lifting while they were walking. As for Arlen, he was looking around him, trembling a little. The fear was glued on his face and it was making Suziky even more satisfied of her plan.

- What's wrong, dear? Are you cold?, she asked Arlen.

- Huh? Oh, no, I'm perfectly fine, he said, trying to control the stuttering of his voice.

- Hmm... Are you scared?

- What? Me? Scared? Pfff... No, no way! he answered, looking behind him then looking back at Suziky. By the way, are we close to your house yet?

Suziky couldn't catch a giggle from leaving her lips. She stopped walking, turning around, now facing Arlen with a grin on her face.

- Now I understand what you meant by not that much intelligent, she said instead of answering his question.

- Excuse me?

- You are more foolish than I thought, she said with another laugh that she couldn't hold back.

Suziky took her hood off and straightened. Under the scared and confused look of Arlen, she took the wig she was wearing off her head, letting a big mess of purple hair fall on her shoulders. Before Arlen could say anything, Suziky grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him further in the hallway.

- Ouch! Stop, you're hurting me! he found as a sentence to save himself from trouble.

- Do I look like I care, little guy? Suziky said.

- Help! he then started shouting as loud as he could. Please help me!

- It's no need, Arlen, we are too far for the crowd to hear you, and that includes your boyfriend and partner.

- Why are you doing this? How do you know me?

- Let me guess... Your next question is "Who are you?". Well, let me answer you, dear.

Suziky turned around once again and grabbed Arlen's chin with her left hand. She stared at his fearing silver eyes and smirked. He tried to look away and escape her but she kept his face between her fingers.

- I am someone who lost everything.

. . .

- You really thought you could stop me with these basic skills?

The laugh of Alan resonated between the high walls covering them. Laying on the floor, a foot on his face, Taylor was trying to get up. Isaiah, unconscious, was a little further.

- You are nothing but a jerk! spitted Taylor with hate in his words.

- I know, you're not the first one to tell me that, answered Alan, squeezing Taylor's head harder on the ground with his boot. But I suggest you to shut up for now. I have a call to do.

Alan took his cellphone out and typed Suziky's number with his thumbs. After the second ring, the girl picked up.

- Did you get them? asked Suziky through the cellphone.

- Yes. And you? answered Alan, kneeling down to cover Taylor's screams of hate with his other hand.

- All under control.

- Do I let them go?

- No, knock them off and bring them to the car. We need to make sure they don't...

The phone on his ear, Alan heard a big crash on Suziky's side and the sound of the phone falling on the ground. He could hear her fighting someone else and the screams of panic from Arlen.

- Suzy, what's going on? Alan screamed.

No answer. He kept calling her name and still, no sign of her voice until he heard her scream resonating. Then, the sound of footsteps was coming near the phone. After some more seconds, someone picked up.

- Alan Silvasta, listen carefully cause I won't repeat twice.