Deception

The Beginning

All I can hear is the muffled screams echoing from the hall as my racking conscience starts to come to. I notice my arms ache painfully when I try to move them from the position they are kept at, in a heavy locked chain above my head.

A gust of wind approaches me and I shiver, feeling my skin crawl when I hear footsteps enter the unwelcoming atmosphere. I try to open my eyes only to be found with a tight cloth over them. I speak out, surprisingly able. "Hello?"

It's barely audible, my throat burning before jumping when I feel a cold hand press against my cheek. "Hello dear." His voice was deep and rough, a tone of playfulness threaded in it.

My body freezes as my breath catches in my throat, and I soon feel warm breath on my ear. "Miss me?"

the wind blows

2 years earlier

The ground beneath my feet almost feels as if it's about to burst as I take off, my legs taking me somewhere my brain doesn't even know yet.

Oh, I'm running if you haven't caught on yet. I should probably tell you why I'm running, right?

Well, it's not because the ice cream man didn't hear my childish scream or because I missed the bus, or even that I just decided to get my summer bod a little early this year.

It's because I'm being chased by these assholes that think I owe them money. Which, I kinda do.. but that's besides the point. Let's just get to the story now, shall we?

"I don't owe you a damn thing." I snarl, backing up into the brick wall that stood tall behind me. They all laughed, like children when they burn ants with a magnifying glass for the first time. My heart starts racing as they walk closer, these grown men really ganging up on a 19 year old? They look old enough to be my father, and not to mention there are four of them and only one of me. "Oh you owe us a lot, and if you don't cough it up right now you're gonna pay." I could smell his whiskey kissed breath from here. I looked around quickly, thinking of a way to escape until my legs finally kicked in and I bolted. I'm pretty sure the only reason I even got past them was because they for sure thought that I wasn't going to do that.

Oh well.

I ran until I could barely breathe, my whole body feeling like I just ran a marathon. Wow, I am out of shape. (literally has abs)

I catch my breath while sitting at a bus bench. My lungs feel exhausted, and the cold air doesn't help any either. As I stand back up a bright sign catches my eye.

The Cold Tavern