Bread: A Hood Love Story

Gabrielle (XXXI)

(A/N: What's good, everyone?
Only 3 chapters left and an Epilogue, so let's goooo!)

Gabrielle
August 2nd
1:17am

My own blood rushing in my veins is all I hear. That and the footsteps behind me that grow fainter with each step I take. I don't even feel my legs getting tired from how far I ran. My adrenaline is double what it normally is and urges me to run faster.

I cut straight through a forest like area that was across from the trap house. Coming out to another street, I take a second and recognize that it's not far from Main Street. Once I see that, I remember that there was a safe spot on Michael's map at the end of Main Street, not far from CandyCity actually. Still, I'm nervous.

I hear footsteps growing louder, and I'm running again.

Another shot rings through the air, though I don't slow down so I'm assuming I didn't get hit. Thank God. If Angel and her partners want to waste all of their bullets, then that's fine with me. The odds against me are already stacked high enough.

It's a wonder I even managed to get Melanie and I out of that place. Seeing her like that made me angry. After everything that my uncle has done to my friends, I finally found my inner boss, as Michael would put it. Maybe I'm stronger than I give myself credit for, if at the very least it's in the defense of people I love.

I keep running and make a sharp turn onto Main Street. I hear a grunt from behind me.

'Good, one down, two to go.'

I feel around for the revolver I took from my uncle's study in the back pocket of my shorts, and I immediately feel like vomiting. I kept my composure when I was in front of Melanie, but I've never held one of these things, let alone shoot one. I'll have to go by what I've seen Michael do, which was only a handful of times.

I'm brought out of my thoughts once I pass by the small CandyCity shop. I almost miss it, but at least now I know where I'm going.

I keep running down to the end of the block and slip into an alleyway. Eventually I see a small house in between a small group of other abandoned buildings another block away.

Pushing myself, I sprint the short distance and hurriedly rush through the door, closing it behind me and running upstairs. I don't have a clue where to hide, but it's better than being out in the open. I go into a random room and squeeze into a closet, trying to quiet my breathing.

'Great, now what?'

I can't help but hope Melanie made it back to the crew alright. From what I saw no one was chasing her. Hopefully she got everyone to search at our safe spots. They'll find me eventually. And I'll be able to find out if Michael is really...

I shake my head, my eyes burning. I can't even think that.

A banging sound shakes me from my thoughts. I immediately feel a weight drop in my stomach. Did they really find me that quick?!

I bury myself farther back until it's pitch black. I can hear whoever's in the house stomp their way upstairs, increasing my anxiety. A part of me hopes it's Michael, but it's crushed once I hear that voice.

"Did you really think you could hide from me, Gabrielle? Especially here of all places." A feminine voice chuckles. Another door opens, and I know she's in the room. I gasp and immediately curse myself.

"Oh, is that lil ol' Church Girl I hear?" Another chuckle. "This is too easy."

The clicking of her boots on the floor sound louder in the silence, and I start to shake. I wish someone was here with me.