Zedric's Hotel

last line of defense

I'm still running even though I don't know where I am. There's a bunch of abandoned buildings but I don't even bother going in there becsuse there's probably a group of bums in there hiding from rent. I turn a corner and stop for air, which is something I really need. I start walking around. I'm just gonna walk until all these thoughts leave my head and I can finally decide what to do. As I turn the corner, I try to shut out the noises I've heard.

Zedric, wait! Please!

Let's go tear that little punk to shreds.

You're my friend, Zedric. Am I yours?

You're a sorry excuse for a human being.

Zaine, Angel Dust, Vaggie, the hellhounds. Their voices swim around in my head and all I want them to do is

"Shut up." I say to myself. Just when the thoughts begin to get louder, I notice a light shining on me and I turn around to see a car. I start moving faster and turn the corner. I slow down and wait for a second. Sure enough, the car turns the corner a second later. I keep turning corners and the car follows, so I turn the corner for the fourth time and while the car slowly turns I hop over a fence and bolt off. I speed down the street running through crosswalks and the car returns to follow, going much faster than it was before. I run down the street and cross the corner again, and as the car goes by, I go back the other way and nearly get hit by a car. "Hey, watch where you're going, moron!" The guy says. "Get out of the car." I say, looking around to make sure that the other car isn't following me. "Look here, guy, I can tell you're an idiot, but you're the one who ran into my car. I'm not gonna give it to you just because your feelings are hurt." He says, angering me to the point where I start to feel the flame from my hands. "Get out of the fucking car!" I yell. "Okay, okay, just chill." The guy says, with a little bit of worry in his voice. He slowly steps out of the car and I hop in and drive away. I look behind me to see the car following me again. I step on the gas, and drive as fast as possible. I'm too busy paying attention to the car that I don't see the crosswalk, and I swerve and hit the wall. I open the door, get out of the car, and start to crawl away. The car is right on me. As the air leaves my lungs, my last attempt is to pull out Zaine's pistol and shoot the headlight The door opens and I'm surprised to see Charlie standing there. "Zedric?" She asks. "Wha-what the fuck?" I say, confused. "You're okay!" Charlie says, picking me up and pulling me into a tight hug, which is not okay for a guy with about 5 percent air left in his lungs. I kind of squirm to signify that she needs to let me go, which she does. She motions for me to follow her into the car, which I do.

"How did you find me?" is the first thing I ask after we sit in silence. "We installed a GPS in your phone. We did the same with Angel Dust and Niffty too." Charlie says. I look at my phone. If Charlie could find me, then so can the gang. "Motherfucker..." I mutter under my breath. "Zedric, I don't what you do when you're out late at night, but there's a reason I have a curfew. I know you think I'm just some spoiled princess, but I know Hell in and out. It's part of my job, since I'm the heir to the throne. Zedric, it's dangerous out here late at night. I don't want you getting hurt." Charlie says. "Yeah, right. You and I have done nothing but piss each other off. I don't give a shit about you, and I know you don't give a shit about me, so let's be honest. Why am I in this car talking to you instead of out there getting as far away from this as possible?" I ask. "Zedric, you have serious trust issues. You would rather die than put your life in anyone else's hands but your own. But the second you walked into the hotel almost two years ago, it's been my responsibility to help you, and right now, it looks like you need my help. So, please, Zedric, you have to trust me." Charlie says. "You're not gonna give up, are you?" I ask. "Zedric, you're stubborn, and you're pain in my ass. But when you came to the hotel, I promised I wasn't gonna stop until you had a one-way ticket to Heaven. This is no different. I'm not stopping now, and I won't give up on you. Ever." Charlie replies. We sit there in silence for a second. I let Charlie's words sink into my thoughts.