As much hate Is to love

Chapter 2 - Shortcut

                                    Celiné

Rain is pouring and It's pitch black outside. The clouds are dark. A very depressing shade of grey. My jacket and shoes are drenched. I just finished work, I work two jobs actually.  

I work as a waitress in a café. And my other job is a cashier in a gas station. At my café job it's actually pretty nice. Actually it's awesome. It's not because I like working there, it's because I have some friends.

My only friends.. I met them the first two weeks working at the place. But unlike my gas station job. It's pretty lonely there.. and sketchy. I work night shifts for the most part, so it's creepy sometimes.

Especially drunkies, they remind me of my dad. They are very impatient.. and nasty. They have absolutely no respect towards strangers, especially woman. They can randomly start grabbing you. I tried to get another job, but they wouldn't accept me for some reason.. but I manage, I only do It for the money. To pay the bills..

I'm still walking home, my clothes soaked and my hair wet. My socks are so drenched I feel like they are apart of my body. As well my fingers are numb from the cold.

I tuck a damp hair strand behind my ear, I then see a dark alley. I always walk there, yes it might be scary but it's a short cut from home. Plus, I'm absolutely not walking another five minutes in this weather.

I make my way to the dark skinned alley. A large dumpster Is rotting over In the corner. Trash, cigarettes, bottles and cans of beer are scattered everywhere. The smell of strong alcohol and smoke Is thick.

I'm walking slowly.. as I see a group of three men. I quicken my pace as I try my best not to make eye contact. One of them is smoking, they are snickering and I can feel their gazes on me. As I'm closer to them.. one of them blows his smoke at me.. I can't help but cough violently.

Fucking asthma..

They all grin, my cough caught their attention... fuck! I walk faster and faster.. trying not to cause a scene. One of them whistles, a low flirty blare. Suddenly one of the men snatch my arm. 

"What's a pretty girl doing here?" The one on the left whispers seductively..

I lose balance but he catches me, pins me against the wall.. very hard. I fall on my back. I stand up backing away. They all surround me as I'm breathing heavily. I'm frightened, anxious.. not knowing what is happening.. or why?

"What the fuck—" I mutter quietly.
"What is your problem?!" I groan.

They all smirk.. stepping closer.. the one in the middle pulls out a blade. A sharp blade. My eyes widen in awe and fear.

"You better shut up before I make you.." he says in a hushed tone.. that was harsh.. filled with rage.

Tears are burning as they roll down my face, I let them pour.. so does the rain. I'm trying my best to stand up, but I'm frozen in place. From the anxiety and terror.

They all laugh, seeing my reaction must be so hilarious and entertaining to them..

"Aw, is the little slut scared?"

The one in the middle adds as he chuckles and tightens the grasp on the blade. I gawk at them.. in bitterness, envy.. in disgust..

As I stare at them.. accepting my fate.. I see a reflection of a tall man in the blade.. my eyes widen.. and before I could react..

The three men are shot dead.. blood is splattered over my face.. and the trio fall on the ground with a loud thud..

I'm sobbing.. petrified.. I wipe the blood of my face.. I'm staring at my bloody hands for a second.

Before grabbing the blade from the dead man.. gripping It like my life depends on it.

I still can't see the man.. that shot the others. My eyes are darting in every direction and corner. Adrenaline is rushed through my body and the blood Is rushing through my veins.

My heart pounding so hard I feel It's going to explode.. I was alerted until.. I see that tall man approach me..

I get goosebumps.. I back away.. still on the ground.. I grasp my blade tighter.. He walks slowly. I'm gripping on the blade for dear life, as he finally is so close I can hear his soft breathing.

He towered over me, as I just glare. I was curious of him. Is he gong to help me? Because If he wanted to kill me he would have. But.. he.. spared me...?