Hunted

Chapter 1

Nina sat in the passenger seat of her beat-up old car, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

She had been driving for hours, leaving behind the city and the life she had known for so long.
It was time for a change, time for a new beginning.

As she drove deeper into the countryside, the landscape changed from concrete and steel to rolling hills and green fields. The air smelled different here, fresher and cleaner, and the sound of birdsong filled her ears.

Nina had always been a city girl, but lately, she had grown tired of the noise and the crowds. She needed some peace and quiet, some time to think and heal. And so, on a whim, she had packed her bags and set off on a journey to find a new place to call home.

She had no idea where she was going, but she didn't care. She had nothing to lose and everything to gain. She was determined to start over, to leave behind the mistakes and regrets of her past and build a new life for herself.

As the sun began to set, Nina spotted a sign for a small town up ahead. The name was unfamiliar, but something about it caught her attention. She turned off the highway and followed the winding road that led into town.

The first thing she noticed was how quiet it was. There were no honking horns or blaring sirens, no shouting or arguing. It was as if the town was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Nina drove through the center of town, taking in the quaint shops and cafes, the old-fashioned streetlights and brick buildings. It was all so charming, so different from the hustle and bustle of the city.

She pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. She sat there for a few moments, taking deep breaths and trying to calm the fluttering in her stomach. She was nervous, unsure of what the future held, but also excited at the prospect of starting fresh.

As she stepped out of the car, she noticed a figure walking towards her. It was a tall, dark-haired man, with brown eyes and a rugged, athletic build. He was wearing a leather jacket and jeans, and he moved with a confident, easy grace.

"Hi there,"
he said, flashing her a crooked smile.

"I'm Logan. You must be new in town."

Nina felt her heart skip a beat as she looked into his eyes. There was something about him, something magnetic and mysterious, that drew her in.

"Yeah,"
she said, trying to sound casual.

"Just passing through, actually. I'm looking for a place to stay for a while."

Logan nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary.

"Well, you're in luck. There's a motel just down the road. It's not much, but it's clean and cheap."

Nina thanked him and started to walk away, but something made her turn back.

"Hey, do you know anything interesting to do around here? I mean, for someone who's new in town?"
she said leaning on her car
Logan grinned, his eyes lighting up.

"As a matter of fact, I do. There's a bar on the outskirts of town. It's not much to look at, but they serve the best beer in the county. Why don't you come with me? I'll buy us a drink"

He said.

He got in the car with her and she drove to the bar.
They got down from the car and went to the bar, got some drinks, and sat beside the window.

The bar was not full, it was just six pm.
They both sat in silence not knowing what to say

Logan looked at her, his eyes intense.

"Why did you come here?"
He asked

Nina hesitated for a moment, but then decided to be honest.

"I needed to get away from my past. I needed a fresh start."

Nina replied

Logan nodded, as if he understood.

"I know what that's like."
He said
They talked for a while longer, and Nina felt a connection with Logan that she had never felt with anyone else. She didn't know what it was, but she knew that she wanted to get to know him better.

Over the next few weeks, Nina and Logan started to spend more time together. They would go for walks in the park, have coffee at the diner, and talk for hours about everything and nothing. Nina felt like she was falling for him, but she didn't know if he felt the same way.

Nina and Logan were walking home having their usual stroll when someone called out her name.

"Nina"
She heard behind her.

When she turned and saw the person she was shocked and surprised.

With so many mixed emotions she ran towards her and hugged her

She was never expecting to see Sarah again.

Sarah and Nina were childhood best friends.

Nina never understood why she left, she went to Sarah's house one day as usual but found out she was gone.
There was no trace of Sarah or her family

"Where have u been Sarah"
Nina said in tears.
"What happened you left"
She said in sobs,

"Without saying goodbye" she added

You could see the tears in Sarah's eyes as they roll down her cheeks.

" I lost my dad that day, it was too much for us"

she said crying.

"People where after I and my mum"

She said holding my hands

"I never wanted to leave you"

she said crying

"I tried looking for u but it was like u just vanished from the face of the earth"
She said sadly.

"But I am here now, that's what matters, " she said smiling.

"Before I forget come meet my boyfriend,"
she said as she dragged Sarah to where Logan was waiting.

"We just met but honestly he's the best"

She continued talking on and on not noticing Sarah was staring at him with mixed feelings.

"Logan, Sarah. Sarah, logan"
She said .
"Finally meeting Nina's friend, nice to meet u Sarah,"
he said.

As Sarah stretched out her hand to shake him

He stretched out his hand to shake her but pulled away almost immediately.

"Nice to meet u, Sarah, am sure u girls have a lot of catch up, I will see u later"
He said as he pecked Nina on her cheeks and walked towards the car.

You could see the two girls laughing happily as they walked the opposite direction.

As he got to the car he sat there, and looked at his burnt palm "Dam it" he said under his breath.