mad hatter // r.s.l.

3 : the city

"What happened to your leg?" I completely ignored her question, which seemed to have shocked her slightly. "If you don't mind me asking"

"I had a bit of an accident at home" she chuckled, her dimples now visible. "Are you having anything?"

"Just a beer for me" I was driving home, but I was going to make sure I didn't have any more drinks. The girl took note of my order and smiled. "Why don't you join me?"

"I would happily do so, but it's kind of a busy time here right now" she peered at the men watching sports. "I'll be right back with your order, sir"

And she walked off into the bar. In less than two minutes, she had returned with two beers rather than one. She dragged a nearby chair for herself and another for her leg. "I decided to give my leg a rest"

"Awesome"

"And what's your name, lone rider?"

"I'm Ross, and I believe your name is Bradley" the blonde looked frightened. "I overheard"

"Ah, well, call me Brady. All of my friends call me Brady"

"I've reached friend status? As far as you know, I could be an axe murderer" um, minus the axe.
"Murderers don't look so friendly" she smiled, placing her left hand near her glass, drawing my attention to the sparkly ring on it. My eyebrow arched

"Please tell me that ring is just an accessory" I winced. "You look 17 at least"

"I'm 20 actually, and yes I am engaged" Brady sighed. "Sadly"

"Why sadly? It's not like you got forced into it"

"More like arranged. By my parents, but that is a story for a different setting" she winked, taking a sip of her beer. "You look at least 20 as well"

"I'm 22" I replied and she nodded.

"So what's your deal? You walk in looking all hispter and dark, well are you?"

"You could say so, I mean, I do love black coffee, but I don't do it for the Instagram status, unlike everybody else, I just am this way"

Her face scrunched up in disgust. "Gross, lattes are best. And, well, you look like an interesting person"

"Ah, that's nice. The same goes for you" she smiled at my words.

I talked the night away with Bradley, about anything and everything in between. She was one of those rare people who held easygoing conversations and was witty to the point she even made me laugh.

And, Brady was stunning in her own way. Even with her hair tied back, and minimal, partially destroyed make-up, I found her very beautiful.

Her 15 minute break quickly increased to 2 hours and a while as we chatted. But she eventually pulled herself. "Well, it was lovely speaking to you, Ross but, duty calls"

"Can you do me a big favour? Go in the kitchen and don't allow anybody out, only when I come and get you. It's important you do" I looked at her. "Right?"

"Um, sure" she shrugged at me, walking off. The moment she and the bartender were gone, I shot a bullet at each head inside the premises, and cameras, reducing the noise to only the TV in the background. My need was fulfilled. I then placed the gun in the hands of a now dead man, rubbing the gun on his palm.

Now it was time to flee, and I was about to run out of the door, but I remembered Bradley so I ran into the kitchen. Once I spotted her, I ignored her questions and lead her outside via the back door and towards my car.

"What happened back there?!" She was hyperventilating. "Are you okay?"

"This guy went crazy and shot everybody. I was in the bathroom luckily" I lied without breaking a sweat. She took my excuse, but it didn't stop her panicking. "Hey, hey now. Are you alright?"

She leaned her head on the dashboard, her breathing irregular. "Anxiety attack, get me out of here"

I could relate to her greatly, so I simply drove with the windows down and music levels kept to a minimum. Often, I would sneak glances to take in the sight of her with her hair now down and to check on how she was.

Night drive it was.

quick disclaimer: the titles of the chapters are songs that inspire the chapter so all the rights go to the artists, writers, record labels and everything in between :) (if you want to know the artist of a song, comment on the chapter and I'll help out)