Runaway Lover // Andy Leo

Chapter One

I remember what it was like before I broke the rules. Before I jumped away from everything I knew. Before I made my own choices. I can't help but agree with the Empire's rules in this situation; I made a decision that has landed me injured and unprotected in Runaway territory.

I think my leg stopped bleeding an hour ago - Either that or the piece of white cloth tied around it has just become that stained I can't tell the difference anymore. I hobble through the streets and broken ruins, jumping at anything that moves. I can't deny it. I'm terrified, alone and lost. I've come to terms that I'm probably going to die out here. Let's face it, I can't go back to the Empire and as soon as the Runaways see me in my white (red) clothes they'll know exactly where I've come from.

I'm so tired. Without a doubt my heart has never beat so fast for so long. My legs shake with every step; I have to use the wall as support just to stay upright. I'm probably a mile or so away from the fences now, but I can't stop.

I walk/drag myself along another mile before I feel safe enough to sit hunched against what used to be the side wall to a big hall. My leg burns as I take my weight off of it and stretch it out in front of me. The cloth wrapped around it is still red, but its colour makes me believe that it might have stopped bleeding.

I go to undo the bandage and put a clean one on when something cracks off to my right. I freeze.

As far as I can tell there isn't anywhere for anyone to hide infront of me - I checked before I even sat down - but I have no idea what the Runaways can do.

"Hello?" I ask the silence. Nothing answers me, but I continue to study my surroundings from my place on the floor. "Screw it." I mumble to myself as I haul myself to my feet. Pain shoots up my leg as I walk, and I bite the inside of my cheek to stop from crying out.

"So how did you end up here?" A voice comes from behind me, dark and brooding. I spin around, heart racing. Somehow someone is standing where I was only moments ago without me even having heard him move. He has dark eyes and even darker hair, with a skull cloth covering the bottom half of his face - a sign that he must be a higher up member of the Runaways. He leans against the wall nonchalantly, staring at me. He looks me up and down, spending a few seconds longer when he sees the blood on my leg. "I see they didn't let you off lightly." He laughs to himself as he pushes off the wall and walks toward me.

"I left." I stand taller, trying to make myself look less vulnerable. He saunters over to me, with one hand wrapped around a long piece of metal chain. I try to convince myself that that won't be how I die, but I don't do a very good job of it. I make the split second decision to run, even though it doesn't get me very far.

Apparently while I was talking to the first guy, three others have blocked all of the exits to the hall. The one closest to me - the one I running for - is blocked by a girl of similar stature and frame to me. I would try to run past her if I didn't have a hole in my leg, and also if she didn't look so tenacious and have blue hair. I wouldn't even try my chances at the other two exits - both were guarded by men taller than the first. All three were wearing the same cloth as the first one, only the girl has it wrapped around her lower leg.

"Running won't get you anywhere. Especially when you're bleeding like that." The girl nods toward my leg as she speaks. I back myself up into a corner, not knowing what to do.

"Is she chipped?" I look up in confusion until I realise that the question was directed from the first one to the girl, who steps closer to me. I stand still, hoping that if I do she won't take my head off or something.

She (rather forcefully) pulls my hair back and looks at my neck before replying, "Yup. We better take care of that." She drops my hair and steps away again.

"You have two options." I look back to the first one I met - and who I've decided is probably in charge - and try to stop myself from shaking under his powerful gaze. "Option number one; You let Megan," He nods toward the girl, "take your chip out, no questions asked, and we can maybe find a place for you among our ranks. Option number two; We kill you." The other two males let out sniggers, whereas Megan just glares at him.

"We will not kill her, Andy." She puts an arm on my shoulder. "It would make life easier though if you'd just let me remove your chip." She smiles at me, though I can't focus on what she's saying. The world is swaying, and my vision starts to go dark. "Woah, hey. You okay?" Her smile turn into a look of concern, but I'm far too gone to do anything. I sway on my feet and try to use the wall behind me to keep me upright, but it doesn't work. I fall to the floor as my vision fades completely, sending me off to the sounds of shouting.