Forbidden Glance

Chapter Three: The Chase

Elroy was running on nothing but hope as he chased the white van, hope that he could bring back his goods and redeem his unfortunate day. He glimpsed at his watch 12:30. It was noon but the sky wasnt getting any brighter. The first drops of rain landed on his forehead, but it wasn't enough to stop him, he fastened his collar to prevent the wind and continued his chase.

The van swerved in and out of the narrow roads turning heads as it sped by; Elroy hid his face from the intrusive neighbours. Everything went round in circles here. A neighborhood were everyone knows everybody and everybody knows everything.
Stories of Elroy and his older brother were already woven into different intricate plots and conclusions. But what he did know was he and his family were outsiders to the general white neighbours, who'd smile when they were there. Then scorned when they weren't.
To it top up here he was, darting down the street behind a speeding van.

The van took a right through the estates, bringing Elroy to a sudden halt. The daunting blocks towered over him. No matter how old he was, or how smarter he'd got, the towers still brought him shivers.
The dense smell of dried urine, and half emptied bottles of alcohol filled his nostrils whenever he breathed in. It was dead silent, nothing but the squawking of birds pecking at the bread filled the ambiance.

Elroy's mind had drifted away from the van as the van had drifted away from him. He could no longer hear the rusty engine, but some how it made him feel alone in this city of red bricks. He turned his back on the drab desolate area. Home, he thought home would be better than here, even if it was ruined.

His reverie was broken by a low grumble, an engine of some sort. Two men came out of a black BMW wearing balaclavas. The first one had a long rope between his hands. The second had a phone to his ear. They eyed Elroy as he walked past, he could see the white in their eyes as they looked him up and down. The one holding the phone turned on his stride to get a better look.

"Do you know how he looks like?" He asked, he seemed as if he'd stop but his friend had called him to follow.

Elroy picked up his pace gaining a distance between him and them. When their voices became a whisper he ran and he showed no signs of slowing down until he came to his road.

The rain came down harder now, he brought out his hand and watched the delicate drops trickle down his palm. He wondered if his burdens would fall so easily.

Two policemen, one a woman the other a large man clad in yellow high-visibility jackets were standing on his porch. One was knocking continuously whilst the other was peering through the broken window.

"Hello officers," Elroy called, climbing up the steps.

"Are you the resident here?" Asked the lady.

"I am." He brought out his keys and let them in. Their facial expressions didn't hide anything. Their wide eyes scanned the room, the brought out notepads and began to survey the room; their boots crunched over the broken glass, scattered across the floor.

"Was it you who called?" Asked the man on his haunches examining the brick that was thrown.

"Yes."

"Where did you go? We were out there for almost an hour." Elroy checked his watch 1:15.

"I think we may have to call office." Said the lady grabbing her radio, she pressed the button initiating white noise before she spoke.

Elroy on the other hand had turned the kettle on and sat on the table besides it. "I don't understand what you guys can do for us." He said swinging his legs "I mean no disrespect, but will you even fix our windows?" The officers exchanged looks then continued their work without a reply. "Tea then?"