Draw Again

Chapter 3

Three Years Later

Keep running. Don't stop! I reminded myself as my lungs felt like they were on fire.

"Get back here thief!" one of the guys chasing me yelled.

"Me? Thief?" I called over my shoulder. "I'm not the one selling stolen weapons!"

"You bitch," another hissed.

I dashed out of the alleyway, and pushed my way through the crowd hoping to lose them, but failing. They had been chasing me for almost eight blocks, and I hadn't taken anything. I just happened to stumble into their arms dealing meeting.

Run faster!

I ran as fast as my tired limbs could carry me. I was scanning the streets for another alley to dive down. My heart was hammering in my ears, and my lungs burned with every breath. Then I saw striking crimson hair and I stumbled. Catching myself on a light pole I sent myself dashing across the street no longer concerned with the fools chasing me. There was a rush inside me as I moved toward the group following the redhead.

He has to be here. He has to.

I searched the faces of the people around the redhead desperately looking for that face, that smile. I nearly crashed into a car when I did. After regaining my footing I charged towards him.

He was walking with the group keeping just out of my reach, but I was going to catch him. No matter what I wasn't going to let this pass me by again.

"Totsuka-kun!" I called.

The group continued walking except for one. As I pushed a skateboarder out of my way I grabbed his arm. A split second later there was a loud bang, and a searing pain traveling up my left side. I didn't scream though I wanted to, instead I tightened my hold on his arm as his face came into view.

"Found you, Totsuka-kun," I smiled.

As I spoke I lost my balance. I readied for the impact of the sidewalk, but it never came. Staring up at the bright brown eyes I could see the flare of a red grow behind Totsuka as more shots went off. The pain in my side was spreading and my vision was darkening.

"Finally found. . . ," I broke off as I was swallowed by the blackness the pain caused.

I don't know how long I was in that darkness, but waking up with a jolt was almost as jarring as the shot itself. A dull throb resounded just below my ribs on my left side as I sat up. I groaned and wrapped an arm around myself.

"Look who's finally awake," a deep voice chuckled.

Looking around I didn't recognize where I was, but it appeared to be a bar. There were guys everywhere, most gazing at me with suspicious eyes. I was sitting on a couch with my wound wrapped and a foreign shirt on.

"Where am I?" I asked.

"Homra," the man behind the bar replied.

Flushing I asked, "Who bandaged me?"

All around the room whispers began, which just made me feel even more uncomfortable.

"Rest assure, Tatara was a complete gentlemen. Our lady Anna supervised him the entire time," the blond smiled. He gestured to a little girl sitting at the bar.

"Tatara?" I exclaimed. "Totsuka Tatara? Where is he?"

I tried to stand up, but the pain in my side was much too great, so I only managed to get my legs over the side of the couch. I kept trying to get up, but was stopped by a hand pushing me back down by the top of my head.