Uproarium's Brightest

Chapter Four: They Are Watching

Author's Note: Warning! This one is unedited.

Navigating Uproarium at night proved difficult; even more so when you had an injury it seemed.

When the sun went down, Uproarium transformed. The friendly, welcoming atmosphere vanished, leaving almost deserted, dangerous streets. Delinquents sulked in every corner, weighing spray cans and pocket knives. They'd always been the rebellious type- no one knew were their camp had been set.

I knew those delinquents first-hand, growing up. Some were children, not any older than fourteen. Others were old, yet able. Delinquents couldn't account for weaklings, after all. I'd traded with them, refusing to serve them to The Council on a silver platter, successfully forging a link of trust. Still, I wasn't in the clear. Who knew if they'd even recognise me, were they to come across me.

I was an injured junkie for all they cared, lost and limping. The lengths someone desperate enough could go to under pressure were dangerous. It wouldn't be the first nor the last time Uproarium woke up to grueling news of Delinquent attacks.

Then the Council would convene, adding fuel to the fire, watching the world tear eachother apart. Anything to cause havoc, distraction, even though they're behind most of it. The thing about the Council, is they knew how to make one desperate. Whether that involved unscrupulous threats or depravation, they knew what they were doing. As if anyone wouldn't kill to keep their family's heads' on top of their shoulders.

I moved underneath a flashing neon sign, lost in thought, though hyper-aware of my surroundings. The light-footed cat peering at me from behind, its tail flicking in the wind. A couple chuckling at my direction.

The police had arrested the assassin at the spot; that wasn't as a comforting thought as it should have been. He'd be out of bounds soon. He was after me; and that can only mean one thing. We were being watched.

Jonathan, I, possibly his mother as well. I took in a measley breath. God, I hoped Esme would be fine, I thought, mind reeling to Jonathan's mother. It might've seemed strange, but I couldn't help but care. She'd practically raised me and what had I done in turn other than throe her face first into my mess.

That's what irritated me the most, I decided. The fact that it was supposed to be my mess and my mess alone.

I heard something rustle. Something- no, someone had knocked a bin cap down. It fell to the ground with a loud clank, rolling to my unsuspecting feet. My breath caught in my throat and I bit my teeth, muttering hushed curses under my breath.

"Shit, shit, shit"

Footsteps echoed in the alleyway and I found myself picking up my pace, dragging my leg on the pavement. I wasn't even heading home anymore. I was escaping whatever was behind me, panting and running until my lungs ached for air. I turned to look behind me, the midnight breeze chilly on my shoulders and neck. I bit down on the inside of my cheek in frustration, but no matter how much my heart willed it to, my damn leg wouldn't move an inch no more.