CHERUB, the next-gen.

Chapter 27: Lucy's POV

I was trying to untangle myself from about seven dogs leashes while eating mint chip ice cream and on the phone with my grandma. "I'm coming *bark* home gramma, don't *bark bark* worry!" "Of course I'm worried! I just got a call from the- *bark* department saying that you g-*bark* hit!" The lady with the dogs started to apologize as I took the phone off my ear "I'm so sorry, they can be pretty rowdy when they see someone with food". I waved her off saying it's fine then put the phone back on my ear. "-how dangerous that could have been!? You know your underage! I'm going to be in so much trouble if they find out you-*woof woof* I want you home right now." finally I stepped out of the leashes "alright alright, I'm moving. See you", then ended the call. I patted the dogs for a bit while finishing up my ice cream and staying clear of their leashes, then headed for my street. After I turned into my block my phone rang again and I picked it up. "Hello?" I answered, "Lucy?" They replied and I recoiled when I recognized the voice. "Why are you calling me Pam?" I asked, my voice shooting with distaste. "I need you to listen to me, will you?" With a start I noticed the note of panic in her voice, so I agreed. "Fine, talk". "Ok, where are you?" I didn't answer. She tried again, "are you at home then?" "No" "oh phew," I heard her sigh In relief. "Why?" I asked, "your home isn't safe anymore, they have you surrounded." "Who? Is it you? Come to take me back I suppose, and get rid of my grandma too?" I said rudely. Before she could reply I got another call, it was my grandma. "Hold on" I told Nicola then answered the call, not knowing that she was still listening. "Gramma? I told you I was heading home!" "Lucy, I need you to listen to me, turn around right now and find your friend Pamela." "What do you mean?" I asked, suddenly scared. "No time to explain-" I heard the dropping of keys and someone banging on the door. "You need your friend more than ever now, I will see you soon, I love you." "I love you too grandma but I just don't-" the phone clicked off. I swore, "Lucy! Listen to her," "shit, did you hear everything!?" She ignored that. "Get out of there now!" She said almost yelling. "Don't tell me what to do!" I yelled back then fumbled with my phone when I spotted an out of place black van parked outside my building. At the wheel there was a man smoking and another leaning against the door. My hand shook as I brought the phone up to my ear, "they're going to kill her" I whispered in disbelief. "Lucy, leave. Now." She said again. "Call 911 or something, please, I can't just sit here... Pam?" I glanced at my phone, it was dead. "Fuck" I breathed then shoved my phone into my pocket. I looked around and spotted a dumpster. I walked quickly towards it hoping I would find a maintenance door or a fire exit. Blessing my luck, I found one and pushed it open, taking the stairs two at a time. By floor six, I was exhausted, the floors had big gaps, and couldn't climb another step, so I cautiously opened the exit door and ran towards the elevators. I pressed the button 'up' and waited as it reached me. When it dinged, I hid under a table that was inbetween the two elevators and waited to hear if there were any voices coming from that direction. Hearing nothing I darted out from the table and shot into the elevator. Fear got the better of me as I shakily pressed the button with the number 12 on it and the 'close' button multiple times. I stepped into a silent hallway and looked around "is this some sort of joke?" I murmured to myself. Slowly I turned the corner and walked to the end of the hallway, stopping in front of my door. I pressed my ear to the door and leaned on it slightly which silently pushed the door open. I stepped back in surprise then peeked into the front room. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary so I stepped in to look around some more. First I checked our bedroom with its messy bed and found my grandma's apartment keys missing, along with her favourite purse and a picture frame of our family which was taken when I was really little and my grandma lived in France. She must have left quickly, I thought as I walked out towards the dining room then stopped when I heard the front door open. "Shit" I exclaimed as I dived into the kitchen and hid behind the fridge trying to slow my breathing. I heard two male voices and one female coming into the dining room and sitting down while arguing, all speaking in Russian. "I swear she was in here, I don't know where she went!" The woman banged her hand on the table "I know that, I was with you! What I don't understand is how she got out so easily, I really can't imagine an old lady climbing out the window... people would of seen her!" I breathed a sigh of relief, they don't have her. I was about to scoot away but what I heard next made my heart stop. "all we know was that she was an ex-agent for some embassy, along with her son who married that bitch traitor, so maybe she had backup." "Maybe..." the woman mumbled then got up. "We should get going, don't want to keep J. waiting". "Naw wait, i'm hungry" one of the guys said and headed towards the kitchen. I shook myself out of my daze and tiptoed towards the door and out of the building. I'll come back later I thought, to grab my stuff. 

I was sitting on the curve down the street from my building not really knowing how or what to think. first I need to charge my phone. Finding an outlet shouldn't be that bad.

I locate one at the nearest starbucks and wait for my lock screen to flash on. I impatiently drum my fingers against the table. Finally, my phone flashes on. I wait a few moments and five missed calls from the number that Pam called me on popped up. I swiped them away and called my grandma. Five rings, six, seven, voicemail. I try again, and again with no avail. I angrily set my phone down and lean back in the chair and sighed. The world is against me. As if to mock me, the door opened and in came three people, a serious looking woman, the same man that was by the truck with a haggard looking beard and the third dressed in a suit that needed a good pressing. An odd combo I thought while hiding my face and desperately looking at my phone which was only at 8%. I hear the woman order three coffees then sit down at a table nearby. My phone rings and I jump, causing some looks to be cast my way. I study the number then curse under my breath when I realize it's Pam's number. I wait out the call wondering why I won't give her the chance to potentially help me. I turn ever so slightly and try and listen to what they're saying, but all I could catch was the van guy saying he wanted beer and not a nonfat latte, so I decided to take a picture of them instead. Of course, the damn ringer was on. After I snapped the first photo the woman turned directly at me and watched me fumble with the ringer. I looked up in horror and watched her get up halfway in her seat, looking even more imposing with her scowling face. "Was that of me?" she asked coldly. I put on what I hoped was an apologetic smile and managed to stammer out a "no ma'am, I was taking a selfie". Lucky for me, one of the guys told her not everything was about her and she went red and sat back down. After taking a few more sneaky photos, I sat back in my seat and waited until they left. I needed to know who those people were, so I grabbed my phone and pulled up the persistent caller to text.