Crimson

Interrupted Walk

"Here," my mother handed me a cloth bag filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, along with a loaf of bread. "I promise this will be the last time you have to be my delivery girl."

I rolled my eyes, "Mom, you know I don't mind." She smiled, but there was sadness in her eyes. She stroked my caramel curls.

"Be careful, make sure to look before you cross the street!"

I pulled on my red converse that I always wear, "Yes Mom, I will." I sighed, even though I walked through the city almost everyday, she still felt the need to remind me to look both ways before I crossed the street.

I stepped out the door and stopped to take in the city around me. I breathed in the slight smell of exhaust, and felt the sunlight on my face. I could hear a small dog barking a few houses down.

The route to my grandma's apartment was tattooed into my brain. I could get there while reading a book not that I did that often, but I knew it by heart.

I had been to her house more this summer than I had the past couple of years. She had grown ill and didn't get out much, so my mother had taken the responsibility to make sure she had food and was taking care of herself.

It usually ended up being me who took her food and kept her company. My Mom was always working so she didn't have the time, but I didn't mind. It gave me an excuse to get out of the house and go somewhere. Soon though, my grandmother was going to move in with my mother and I.

I got to a busy intersection and pushed the button to walk across. While I was waiting I glanced back and saw someone walking down the sidewalk. I turned back around and crossed the street, not thinking much of it.

The walk to my grandmother's wasn't that long, but I had a few shortcuts. An alleyway here and there.

I was about half way to her apartment when I noticed someone behind me again. It looked like the same person who I'd seen earlier. Hmm, I thought, that's odd. I quickly went on my way and tried not to think about it, which I was NOT good at.

As I turned into an alleyway a few minutes later, I nearly ran into someone. "Oh! So sorry, I wasn't watching where I was..." I looked up at the stranger. It was the person I had seen earlier. How did they get here so fast?  Hard, cold eyes stared back at me. The slightly mischievous grin he had on his face complemented the evil look, along with his dark eyebrows.

I quickly stepped backward and turned to go. A surprisingly firm hand locked onto my lower arm. I drew in a sharp breath. "Have somewhere you need to be?" the stranger asked in a husky voice.

I looked at him suspiciously, "Yes, I do actually."

"Hmm," he replied, and jerked me closer to him. "Where?" What was up with this guy?

" I don't think you need to know," I said, getting annoyed.

" Yes, I do, now tell me how to get there."

"No," I shot back, "you really don't." His face filled with anger, but only briefly. Then his eyes softened.

Calmly, he said, "Crimson, I need you to tell me how to get to your grandmother's." My eyes widened. A furious wave of thoughts crashed into my mind. Who was this creepy guy? Why did he want to know where my grandmother lived? How did he know my name?

"No," I said again, fear creeping into my voice. "I'm not telling..." I felt a small poke on the back of my neck. My eyes suddenly drooped. I kicked the stranger in the shins. He quickly recovered and had a curious look on his face.

"Let's go," he said, to the person behind me. The stranger looked at me one more time and I passed out.