Beginner and the Sinner (Andy Biersack & Noah Sebastian)

No Respecting Man

Being a kid you'd run everywhere. Walking wasn't an option, and I really don't know why. You'd run around aimlessly outdoors, race all your friends, take the dog for a "walk" that was really a whole lot of running. You'd run without thought, and in the end there was no reason for any of it. There was no rush to get anywhere, if anything it was a child's way of trying to age up quicker.

The pavement was wet as I ran. My heart pounded in my ears and my breathing was heavy, not due to being winded but scared for my life. Sprinting through puddles and running out from the darkness I probably looked like a crazy woman. Eyes wide, boots and pants soaked, running for my life. The gunshot panicked me more than I thought possible. Making it to the door I'd thought we were in the clear. I should've known better.

I made a point to not look back as I ran. I knew Andy would scold me if I did and also there was the very real possibility I could trip. I'd already made the mistake of letting my guard down, I wouldn't let them start piling up. Focusing on street lights that were just up around the corner, we needed to get into public. The light was our safety zone. At least I hoped it was.

My chest ached as I flung myself around the corner of the building that had been blocking all the street lights. Bumping into some random dude, he stumbled and swore at me. I didn't get time to look at the man before Andy ran past me, snatching my arm on the way. Pulling me with him, we jogged a bit farther. Once we passed our first large group of people we slowed. I've never felt so relived to be around people in my life.

Looking up at Andy his face was hard and he glared straight ahead. I knew this wasn't how he wanted the mission to end. In all honesty I think the whole mission was royally screwed as soon as the dogs showed up. I wanted to look back and see if someone was chasing us, or maybe if the dogs were tracking us. I knew that'd give us away if by chance they were behind us and we needed to blend now more than ever.  

"Are we going back to base?" I asked quietly as we fell back in step with one another after parting for an elderly couple. Our walking speed was brisk but not fast enough to draw attention.

"Eventually." Andy's voice was so low I almost didn't hear him. It sounded as if he spoke through clenched teeth too.

Glancing over at him again, something was off. I didn't know what but something wasn't right with him. His eyes still held their intense stare directly ahead of us. His face looked as though he was strained, like he was holding something in. Watching his movement, his upper body looked stiff. There was no fluidity to his walk, not like his normal "I run the world" walk. I'd watched, borderline stalked, Andy enough through all training and day to day that if I was any normal person, I probably wouldn't have noticed.

"The bus. We need to be on it." Andy said, his words rushed and he grabbed my arm.

The bus he spoke of had just pulled up to the stop. It was almost a block away, and there didn't look to be too many people getting on. We had to hurry.

Sprinting next to Andy, I could tell he was keeping pace with me as well as pulling me faster. Separating we tried to weave through a large group that had just funneled out of what I guessed was a bar or night club. They were all hooting and laughing until Andy shoved the dude that seemed to be leading them all. I wanted to call out an apology as I followed tight to Andy's heels but didn't. A string of curses came from the man as Andy slowed and reached for my arm again. I shook him off.

"Go, hold the bus!" I commanded and Andy didn't hesitate.

He tore away from me quickly. His movement still stiff but it didn't effect his speed. If he at least got to the door, in the time it took to open, I'd have enough time to catch up. The bus was our only getaway option at the moment. I doubted Andy carried his cell phone on him, especially during jobs so close to home. I wasn't allowed to bring mine. The logical thing now was to catch this bus that went who knows where and ride it until we knew we weren't being tailed. The bus isn't the first choice in getaway vehicles but it was our only option. We needed to get as far away from this area as quick as possible.