Blood Iris

Chapter Six

I woke up curled around the black duffel bag that held everything I owned.

I looked around and I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Yet. But there was an ominous feeling hanging over me like a dark, stormy cloud. I knew I was being watched but I figured if I got on the train in time, I could be safe.

I swung my legs off the hard, cold, metal bench. I got up and tried not to look like I was in a rush.

The train station was only two blocks away, I could probably make it to there without-

I stopped that thought before it went south. If I looked afraid, they would only quicken their search and they would capture me.

I walked along the sidewalks, trying to stay in the middle of the morning rush crowds. I kept my eyes peeled for any signs of people rushing towards me and I avoided being alone or exposed at all costs, which wasn't too hard, considering I was downtown in a large city.

Finally the station was in sight. I tried not to look extremely rushed, but I couldn't help but walk faster as the station was in sight. I gave one last glance around me as I threw myself through the heavy glass doors.

Inside, there was the usual morning bustle and people minding their own business. It helped me feel a little calmer that no one was paying any attention to me. Now I would just have to get my ticket.

I didn't want to talk to anyone because I was afraid. Afraid that whoever I talked to would be killed or tortured for information and then it would be my fault. Just because I escaped and they had to find me before I told anyone their secrets or their weaknesses.

I didn't want anyone to get hurt because of me. But I needed to get out of this city, and fast because I was positive they were already after me. It wasn't my paranoia, it was the truth. The terrifying, deadly truth.

Even though every one of my instincts told me to turn around and run as fast as I could, I knew the only way to be free was to step up to the ticket window and just order the stupid ticket. The stupid ticket that would take me far, far away from here. The ticket that would give me a second chance at life.

I was watching every person within 20 feet of me as I slowly made my way toward the ticket window. Most of the people were business men and women. They were talking on the phone or writing things down. Some were families going to visit other family. Their kids were sleeping or making a fuss. I felt a sharp, intense wave of sadness as I knew that I could never have that. I could never have the love of a family, the joy of children. I would either be too busy running from my past or too paranoid to ever let anyone close enough. Probably both.

I pushed those feelings and thoughts down, so deep that all that remained was a small bruise on my heart that would heal with a little time. I needed all my energy and focus for this important step in my life. I didn't need feelings and emotions to get in the way and mess me up. That's what they taught me in the gang, and as much as I didn't want anything to do with them, the things they taught me had kept me alive. I was really good at surviving, too. The best, as I was the only one to escape and not be killed or recaptured. Yet.

I pulled my thoughts together and focused everything I had on getting out of here on the next train out of the city.

I reached the ticket booth and the man behind the window looked at me with tired eyes. "How many?"

I swallowed nervously. "One, please."

I knew I shouldn't be scared. I had taken every precaution to be safe and far away from the gang's bloody hands. But the truth was I was terrified and I had a really bad feeling that I wouldn't be getting out of this town any time soon. And it wouldn't be because the train was delayed.

"One way?" Why was he looking at me funny? Was I just being paranoid?

"Yes please." My voice was slightly rushed and breathy; I was getting very anxious.

"Twenty dollars please." The man had a drop of sweat running down his temple. Why was he so nervous? Or was he just hot? Maybe it was stuffy in that little box, all encased in glass.

I handed him the money through the small opening. He counted it carefully and handed me a small strip of paper with my ticket information.

I thanked him and turned around, sighing with relief as I walked away.

"Hold on a second, miss!"

I stopped in my tracks, paralyzed with fear. I didn't turn around.

"Random bag check, please follow me." The man was out of his glass box and gesturing toward a large heavy door.

I slowly, reluctantly followed him. What would he do if I refused and got on the train? I could handle a couple cops on my tail. I would rather have them hunting me. They're less ruthless and bloodthirsty.

I followed against every fiber that was in me, telling me to flee. He led me through the door into a large and spacious room with supplies and a couple of office stations. The whole room was empty and dead silent. I was panicking now, but I let the man go through my bag. I didn't have anything bad or illegal in there and the poor man was just doing his job. Wasn't he?

"Ok! It looks like you're all clear. If you'll just follow me out." He handed me my bag and led me to the door. He opened it and my hopes rose. I was getting out of here!

Then he slammed the door suddenly, narrowly missing my fingers. My stomach dropped as I heard the lock click.

Now I knew how to pick a lock. Especially this kind; it was a piece of cake. But I knew something fishy was going on here.

I had barely snatched a paper clip off a desk when a cold voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Hello sunshine." The soft voice made my blood freeze. That voice was never associated with anything pleasant. And I knew this was no exception.

I turned and met the woman's eyes. They looked soft and innocent, but I knew the hard, cruel truth of their icy depths.

"What do you want, Kara?" I tried to keep my voice steady.

She laughed. It was the sound of bells; the sound of bells that were announcing my death. "Why, honey, you've been a bad girl. You know what happens to those who disobey the Queen."

I opened the paper clip and I had it ready to use behind my back. I started backing toward the door.

"Ah- ah- ah. I wouldn't do that if I were you."

As soon as I had the paper clip in the keyhole, two figures jumped from behind boxes. They flew straight at me, trying to grab me. Luckily I still had the paper clip.

One girl went for my upper body while the second went for my legs. I shifted the paper clip so it was between my fingers when I made a fist. I punched the first girl in the face as she grabbed my neck. The straightened paper clip went deep into her cheek. Blood spurted out as she let go of me, howling.

The second girl, by now, was already at my legs. She grabbed them, knocking me off balance. I fell to the ground, but not without getting a few good kicks to her face.

I jumped up, blocking punches by the girl with the bloody cheek. I landed a punch to her injured cheek. She screamed with pain and fell to the ground, breathing hard.

Someone slammed into my back, knocking the wind out of me. Before I knew what was happening, a cloth was pressed over my mouth. I made the mistake of breathing in.

I tried to fight her off my back, but my movements were becoming slow and sluggish.

The last thing I saw was Kara's cold eyes laughing at my failure.