Breaking Loose [Original]

4

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Four
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Dedicated to daisyhazie

"Stupid zipper!" Asher growled lowly when her leather jacket zipper got stuck. She sighed after many failed attempts and decided to leave it be. Maybe sporting a crop top underneath wasn't the best of ideas.

She jumped over a half wall nearly losing her footing, thankfully she didn't. She stilled when a car drove past and let out a ragged breath, she could barely be seen with her deliberate all black fit.

Well, that's what she thought.

When the coast was clear, she skitted across the road and slumped to her knees just outside the Yates Performance Center. One thing she was thankful for about the town was, well, it was pretty old. It was small and looked like a transition between Nova Scotia and Quebec, even when it sat on the borders of Winnipeg.

Out of habit, she clutched her pockets and heaved a sigh when she felt her inhaler.

She couldn't forget it. Not ever again.

Deciding that she didn't want to further delay what she'd come for, she immediately slipped on a pair of gloves and a facemask making sure her hood hid her hair perfectly well.

She pulled open her backpack and fished for everything she needed. She had run low on supplies and made a mental note to stop by Wembee's later that week.

Asher visibly calmed when she stroked her first streak of red paint. Painting was Asher's peace of mind. It felt like she left the planet the very moment the bristles of her aged brush kissed the brick wall ever so delicately.

It wasn't like she always had a vivid picture in mind, she just let her heart work. Fascinating how powerful emotions are, she always thought.

Even when Asher had a tendency to zone out of reality, she didn't forget where she was, or what she was doing.

Vandalism.

Something no matter how hard she tried couldn't ever feel guilty for.

To her, paintings felt better on walls where people would have to see them no matter what.

She couldn't deny the fact that it was bad, she actually couldn't care less. It was the only thing after coffee that kept her going.

She looked over her shoulders in the most discreet ways. Just in case. It was after midnight but that didn't eliminate the chances of being caught.

phoenix never got caught. She thrived. She always got away, even if it was by a hair's breath. So that night was not going to be an exception-

"-So beautiful, yet so wrong..."

A thick velvety voice cut through the icy air, into her ears, through her heart.

Asher froze, her fingers went numb and the brush fell to the ground, accidentally marring her work.

She blinked once before her head whipped around to find a huge-rather broad-figure just a distance away. Stood in the very middle of the quiet street, strong arms securely keeping a guitar strap in place, head slightly tilted.

She was like a deer caught in the headlights.

Just how long had he been standing there?!

"... don't you think?" The depth and calmness in his voice didn't go unhidden. It literally sent chills down her spine. And that accent...

English?

He hadn't moved an inch yet it felt like he was just in front of her. And perhaps he was no cop, but he caught her.

phoenix got caught.

"Vandalism is bad, you know" he continued after the silence that ensued.

She gulped.

In a swift move she scooped up the rest of her tools and dumped them blindly into her bag. She made a run for her life the second the strap was over her shoulder.

When she glanced back, he was still where he was. Staring.

She rounded a corner sharply and caught what was left of her breath. She took a puff from her inhaler and resorted to continue walking rather than run.

What now? She thought.

Yes, the guy barely knows who it was and his thick accent hinted at his possible newness in town. That barely relieved her.

She sighed.

She could only hope deep down that that first was the last.

***

Author: I really don't know what this chapter feels like.

I need to keep this going and I hope I get to the end of it. Don't forget to vote, and if you didn't in the last chapter, this is a kind reminder to do so. Thank you!!!

Love,
Kairos.