Life on the Edge
Can a song define a life? I don’t know but it seems like there is always one to define a moment in mine. Trouble. Trouble. TROUBLE. They paint a huge sign above my head reading Danger. Caution. Warning! Why? I can’t say. They seem to think I’m crazy… So what I killed a guy!? It was self-defense. So, why couldn’t I just tell the cops that instead of running away? Running away is my life… and I can’t be caught now.
Chapter 1
“Are you gonna pay for that?” I held up the tall can of Arizona Tea and walked towards the counter. Rifling through my messenger bag I started going into character.
“Oh my GOSH! I can’t find my wallet!” I stared at the guy pouting and shaking in hysteria. “That had all my money and tickets in there!” I flipped my hair angrily.
“Why are you telling me? I didn’t steal it and I don’t care who did. But since you already drank the whole can,” I stared at the drink in my hand then back at him, “you needa pay up.”
This guy looked kinda sketchy. Not to mention his country small-town look. I mean you could tell he worked at a gas station. His shirt was splattered with grease stains and he looked a little rustic. But his eyes… were fairly attractive. You know they say the eyes are the windows to the soul. And his eyes said that he would let me go ahead with the drink. It was only 99 cent.
He looked away and sighed. “Alright, gimme the drink.” He took the drink from me and scanned it. When the register popped open he took some change out of his pocket and dropped it in the slots. Then, to my surprise he took two twenty dollar bills and stuck them in his pocket. He put a finger over his mouth signaling silence. A smile spread across my face. He was kinda hot actually. Before I could say anything to him two guys entered the store. One of the guys stared at me before turning to talk to the guy who works at the station. With nothing else to do, I turned around headed for the door.
“Hey! Where ya going?” I turned around surprised.
“Um, leaving?” my hand hovered above the door handle.
“Ya sure? I mean me and my buddies were just going to hit up this party in a while…” his grey eyes sparkled with hope.
“Uh…” I stood there helplessly, having no clue of his name.
“It’s Chris… and you are?”
“Well Chris, I’m… No one.” I pushed the door open and ran out into the hot dense air.
I couldn’t tell him who I was. I had a new name everywhere I went and I honestly can’t keep up with all of them. But… I could never stop running. I walked down the dusty red sidewalks. Headlights came closer down the road and I continued to walk. The old Cadillac came to a halt beside me and when I didn’t stop presided to drive slowly beside me. After about ten minutes and the constant pestering, I turned to lean into the window and speak to the driver. But it wasn’t some random, drunk, skeez as I thought it was, but Chris. I sighed.
“What do you want?” I rolled my eyes and looked away. His eyes studied my body and I was pretty sure he was looking at my chest. My arms crossed over my chest instinctively.
“You still owe me for that drink.” I scoffed and looked at him with a smirk on my face.
“Hmmm… is that right? ‘Cause how I remember it… you took a little something for yourself.” Chris smiled and looked down at his hands.
“Why don’t you get in so we can… discuss this?” He reached over and opened the door. I stood there for a second then slid into the seat. Mind you I had on shorts and it was getting hot. The cracks in the leather seat were pinching at my thighs and my hair was falling over my shoulders making me very hot. I braided my wavy chestnut hair and spun it up sticking a lollipop I found in my bag in there to keep it secure.
“I know you didn’t lose your wallet.” I looked over at him showing no emotion. He stared straight ahead and started up driving again.
“Hey! What are you doing?! Stop this car Now!” he just continued to drive. I settled back in the seat pissed.
“So I was lying. What are you gonna do? Bring me to the cops because I owe a dollar?”
He chuckled. “Don’t kid yourself… I’m bringing you to the cops for murder.”
He pulled into a hotel parking lot and cut the engine. He turned to look at me with those piercing eyes. I was still in shock from his revelation. How did he know about that? I turned to get out the car but he locked the doors just in time. I cursed under my breath.
“… how did you know about that?" I played with my finger nails, a bad habit.
Chris just shook his head and slid out of the car, quickly slamming the door. I started to beat on the window and pull on the handles. I saw him roll his eyes as he walked to my door. He pulled the door open and grabbed my arm. Quite harshly, I might add.
"Hey, watch it! I am a person! please treat me as one." I tried to pull my arm away from him, but all that resulted in was him tightning his grip. I gave up and let him drag me in to this dirty , broke down looking motel room. I mean it's not like I lived the hot life or anything, but I've had better than this. I scrunched up my nose as I smelled a musty odor. Who died?
Chris locked the door and threw me on the bed. A puff of... something came up and I coughed. Chris was walking towards me. I held my arms out in front of me.
"Hold up! If you must do this... could you at least be gentle... cause... I'm a-a screamer." I turned my head and closed my eyes. When he didn't move or say anything I turned back to look at him. He was staring at me questioningly. He looked far off in thought.
"What the fuck are you talking about?" He grabbed a worn, plastic chair and sat it in front of me. He took the seat and rested his elbows on his knees. Damn, he looked good.
"Wait, aren't you going to like use me." He stared at me still confused. "Have sex with me?" Finally he understood. Then his face became a mixture of hurt and anger.
"What!? No! Look, it looks as if you've been in many situations like this. But it's not like those situations... Yet." Now it was my turn to look confused.
"So you're not going to hurt me?"
"Not yet. You have to comply. Alright?" I nodded and he sighed.
"Why?" It was a simple enough question.
"Why shouldn't you turn me in? Or why did I...kill Walter Starcrest?" I rolled my eyes to the ceiling and bit my lip.
"How about both." He stared at me hopefully through dark curling lashes.
"You shouldn't turn me in because I'm innocent. And as for why? Well...that's a long story..." And with that I went into the whole novel of the events leading to the untimely death of Walter Starcrest, one of the wealthiest men
