fallout - r.b.

nineteen

i'm with you- avril lavigne

Reece and I headed back down the street. The neighbourhood had sketched me out earlier, but now that it was fully dark it was even worse. I scrunched up my nose as the rain pelted us. We walked at a quick pace, just eager to get out of here.

Despite the weather, there were still a few individuals out. The men outside the pub stared at us while we passed, making me feel uncomfortable. I subconsciously grabbed onto Reece's hand. Our skin was wet and cold; I could hardly even feel his palm against mine due to the numbness.

We didn't have to speak--it was clear that both of us just wanted to be away from here. I replayed the interaction with Uncle Michael in my mind, feeling stupid and naive. Honestly, what was I thinking coming here? Reece must be pissed; he surely wasn't psyched to be around me in the first place, and now I had gotten us soaked and freezing, and for what?

"I'm so sorry," I frowned to Reece. He glanced at me, thoughtfully.

"For what?"

"For dragging us out here for nothing!" I raised my voice, just frustrated over the situation.

"Ren, it's okay. It was worth a shot, right?" I couldn't believe how nice he was being about this. I definitely hadn't earned his kindness.

"Plus," Reece started again, "It wasn't for nothing. I got to play the coolest guitar ever. I should be thanking you," he laughed. "That was more than worth the journey and the rain."

"Still, I feel bad," I sighed.

"Well, don't." He squeezed my hand, and a trace of a smile crossed my face.

We rounded the corner, entering the dodgy alley. I stepped on an empty beer can and nearly tripped over, muttering out curse words. Reece slowed as I caught my breath. His expression gave away the fact that he was slightly amused by my struggling.

The narrow alley shielded us from the rain slightly, so I paused for a moment, resting my back against the brick wall. We had been walking quickly, and I was overwhelmed and just needed to take a second. I really wished we could just teleport back to Macclesfield.

I snapped my head to the side, thinking I'd heard something, but there was nothing but the rain rushing along the sides of the street--it was pouring down too heavily to be caught by the drains.

"You okay?" Reece asked from beside me.

"Yeah just... tired, and cold as shit...and scared. I just want to be home," I admitted. Reece frowned.

"We'll be home soon. We're nearly to the station. Just, like, ten minutes of walking and then-"

"Well, hello there." Reece was cut off by a husky voice. I jumped at the sound and the sight of a man suddenly next to us. I looked at the guy in horror. He looked about forty, with a scruffy beard and cold eyes. I recognized him as one of the men smoking outside the pub.

Reece tensed up, holding onto my arm protectively. Panic surged through me as the man eyed me up and down.

"Got any money for me?" The man asked, menacingly. "I'll give yous somethin' for it. Coke, molly... whatever ya want."

"We don't want anything," Reece said firmly, ushering me along as we started to walk away.

"Oh, but I do." Suddenly, the man had me pressed up against the wall, giving me a disgustingly crooked smile. I was paralysed in fear. I wanted to push him off or gag, but my breath was stuck in my throat and my arms were pinned to my sides.

Reece acted quickly, shoving at the man's chest. He stumbled back slightly. 

"Here," Reece said firmly as he pulled cash from his pocket and handed it to the man. He inspected it before laughing breathily.