On The Run

Cade’s POV

“I’ll go all in, 100 each?.” I shrugged as I glanced down at the deck of cards in front of me. I was experienced in this game, and had a few tricks up my sleeve.

Observing the band of guys around me I chuckled, suckers. They probably haven’t even gambled a day in their lives, just a couple of rich noobs looking for a fun time. Too bad “fun” is the opposite of what this ‘game’ will be, well, for them at least.

I took a long swig of my cigarette, slowly inhaling the smoke into my mouth, and then quickly exhaling through my nose. They say every cigarette takes a day way from your life, so I lit two more.

 I removed my I-phone from the back pocket of my jeans that were contrasted by my white v-neck.

1:54 AM

This game had been going on long enough so I decided to finish it off for them. I cautiously looked around to make sure all eyes were elsewhere and none were on me. Everyone was focused on battling one another, so I took this as my chance to slide my previous deck of cards into my coat pocket, and then deceitfully place a new deck where the old one once rested.

The chill of the wind brushed the skin uncovered by my layers of clothing and blew out the remainder of my cigarette. I removed the glowing stick from in between my lips, twirling it between my freezing fingers before smashing it onto the concrete pavement below.

It was my turn to place out my deck. I felt my upper lip twitch up into a smirk as I glanced at my new hand of cards.

“Royal Flush,” I stated matter-of-factly, my eyes keeping lock with my opponent. His seemingly black holes sunk in disbelief as I let out a deep chuckle.

“Pay up Baby,” I smirked.

“BULLSHIT!” He exclaimed, slamming his deck down on the concrete and rising up to his feet.

“Look, you lost, you can go cry later, but for right now you,” I pointed towards him and the rest of his crew “ and all your buddies owe me each 100, so 500 total.”

No one moved to pay what they had owed, so I took matters into my own hands. I stood up suddenly catching them off guard. My 6’2 stature towered over their shrunken 5’9’s.

“I hate to have to do this but...” I said as I released my hand from around the deck of cards to my back pocket, I felt around until I came across the feeling of cold metal against my palm. I grabbed the gun and in one swift motion pulled it forward pointing towards one of the douches.

I chuckled at the fear evident on their faces, and I took this as the chance to speak up.

“Now as much as I would love to pull the trigger and take the money quick and easily, I will, however, give you all one more chance to give me what’s rightfully mine.” I said as I popped off the safety of the gun.

Trembling with fear, 4 or the 5 guys all grabbed a bill from their pockets. Keeping the gun aimed in their direction, I walked up to each one of the goons and snatched every bill, until I came up upon a man with empty hands.

I tilted my head in confusion. “I’m broke,” he rushed out, his nerves obviously getting the best of him “I don’t have the money on me right now, but.. b-but give me a couple of days, I promise I can get it.”

I bit my lip contemplating my decision before bringing the gun to rest upon the side of his head, I didn’t plan on shooting him, I just liked to cause fear, and y’know, the occasional panic attack.

“WAIT NO PLEASE, I have a wife! And a Stepson! It was just for fun, I didn’t expect the game to be this serious, and I thought we we’re buds? C’mon, p- ple- please man; relate with me here, you wouldn’t want this to happen to your father would ya?” He asked, desperately trying to get me to remove my gun to let him rein free.

And I was in fact going to let him go unharmed, a ruffed shaken up maybe, but mainly unharmed. That was until he mentioned my father. Those thoughts haven’t occurred to me in months, and being reminded of them caused my blood to boil, and anger to rise from depths of me I struggled to keep hidden, for the most part. Remembering the constant nights of abuse from my father, when he left me and my mom, when he came back years later only to say he will stay if I leave, and my pathetic excuse of a mom putting me out to desperately attempt to keep the company of a man who never loved her. All those thoughts came rushing back to me, and I now pictured the man standing in front of me as my dad. With his buzz cut, tattered clothes and beer in hand. I saw red, and I did the one thing I’ve been aching to do.

 I pulled the trigger.

___________________

My feet collided with the hard gravel crunching beneath me as my heart pounded with fear. I shouldn’t have done what I did, but it had felt so right at the time. It’s not like I haven’t killed someone before, but this time I had 4 witnesses around to potentially testify, not good at all.

I quickly made my way from out of the dark alleyway to come across a tall metal fence. My eyes moved around franticly as I looked around the secluded area to find a way over. They came to rest upon a dim garbage can; I picked up my pace to jump on top of the can and proceeded to lunge my way towards the rusted metal fence.

I was propelled into the air as my hands grabbed for anything they could reach. I felt my palm collide with a jagged area of the fence, and my feet plunge into an opening.

With my blood rushing with adrenaline I used everything I could to hike up the remainder of the fence.

I rested at the top for a minute to pull myself together. My thoughts ran frantically throughout my mind, I had nowhere to go, so all I knew was to keep running. I felt a burning sensation in my left leg and slung it over the metal for better inspection. I groaned in pain as I rolled up the leg of the jean.

My leg had various cuts from climbing the metal fence and my hand had a large gash from colliding with the point of it. Nothing I wasn’t used to.

I rolled the jean back down to its previous place and clenched my eyes together to prepare for the jump.

I mustered all the strength I could and lunged forward. I plunged down from the fence with a big thump; I let out a muffled scream as my injured leg took most of the fall.

I hopped forward for a few meters until I was greeted by the bright lights and rushing cars of the city.

My eyes scanned left and right once more as I broke into a face paced walk. I had a friend living a way from here and figured that’s where I would be staying for the night. I continued to speed until I collided with a body, causing the person to topple over and fall onto the sidewalk.

I glanced down at the girl sprawled out across the ground in front of me. Her brown hair cascaded in soft waves falling around her waist, and her pink plum lips formed into a pout as she rubbed the side of her head. Her pool of blue eyes rose to meet mine in dangerous slits.

I smirked at the thought that came to me. Maybe I won’t be staying at my friend’s house after all.

I extended my hand towards the girl in an attempt to play the nice guy act.

“Sorry about that, was kind of in a rush,” I plastered a fake smile across my face.

She seemed to buy it because she raised her delicate hand to meet mines.

As she stood up seemingly around 5’10, I took in her long slender legs and nice shape. She probably was a around 17, or 18 like myself. I slowly glided my pink tongue over my bottom lip before placing my plan into action.

Swiftly I brought her closer to me, her back was now rested upon my chest and my arm slicked around her waist in a firm hold. I made sure no one was watching and then attempted to pull her into a secluded corner.

Her blue eyes widened in shock and flashed hints of confusion and fear, I placed my strong hand over her mouth to muffle any sound she would try to make.

“Hey Love, Look at me.” I cooed softly into her ear, and then proceeded to unwrap my arms from around her waist to sit them on her shoulders, I spun her around abruptly.

She trembled slightly, the fear evident in her innocent eyes.

“I’m not going to hurt you, but I will if you don’t do everything I say, okay?” I questioned, but it’s not like I was giving her an actual choice.

 She nodded slighty. "Take me to your house."