As soon as I thought I was far enough from Haz's apartmet, I stopped running. I looked around, seeing a neighborhood that was vaguely familiar. I saw the bar I used to go to after Teddy was asleep. I was pretty good friends with the bartenders, as I let out my life's story to them while under the influence. Walking upand taking a deep breath while grabbing the door handle, I entered my past.
I walked up o the bar, straight towards the bartender, Connor.
"I'll have a vodka on the rocks, please."
He contined washing a glass before speaking, never looking up.
"My friend used to get that. She would get that every night she came, just walking up and assuming I knew her order. She..."
"Emerson!"
I turned my head to see Traivs, the other bartender who knew me. Connor looked up and smiled.
"If only I had looked up, I would have already handed you your drink."
Travis appeared next to me, engulfing me in a bone-crushing hug.
"Where have you been?"
"In the neighborhood next to this one."
"Since when did you get a fancy apartment?" Connor asked, handing me my drink.
"I was staying with a friend."
"Oh, what's her name?"
"His name is Harry."
Travis and Connor nodded as a man walked up next to us.
"Get me a Jack and Coke. And something fruity for this little lady."
I turned my head to scoff as the guy, but stopped. I looked at him and saw an extremely familiar face. His name was Daniel. He would come home with Teddy every Tuesday and Thursday and occasionally help with the beatings.
He looked back at me and smiled a little wider.
"Emerson, what a long time since I've seen you. Teddy has been curious as to where you've been."
Travis and Conner knew who he was because I told them in my drunken state.
"So, what are you going to get?"
"I don't want anything. Especially not from you."
I go to leave, but Daniel grabbed my wrist.
"Why don't I just bring you home to Teddy. Better yet, how about I have my way with you first."
I pull on my wrist, trying to escape his grasp. His grip didn't disappear, it only got tighter.
"Sir," Travis said. "I am going to ask you once to let go of the lady. You must leave."
He let go of my wrist.
"But sweet Em, you must remember that you can run, but you can't hide. Teddy will find you. That is one thing I am completely sure of.:
I didn't look back as I ran away from Daniel. I didn't even mutter a word to Connor or Travis, but I wouldn't turn back now. I stepped out of the crowd and walked out the door, attempting to look calm and collected. My heartbeat increased as I turned around to see Daniel following me with an evil smirk.
I felt like the only thing I did was run. I ran through alley ways, around corners, avoiding cans, people, and tumbling trash. I lost Daniel, but that was the least of my worries. What if Teddy found me? Maybe Haz was right. Am I that helpless?
As I ran around the last corner, I bumped into a man. My shoulder hit his and the impact was quite emmense.
"Oh, my God! I am so sorry!"
