Shadow Stalker - Olesya Kruglova

Skipping or Running? - Clara Williams

I pushed the gray metal door to reveal the outside world. 6 hours of endless boredom had been escaped. I know skipping class isn't the best idea in the world, but I didn't really need my education. I wasn't good at anything.

I walked down the sidewalk a few blocks until I found a restaurant known for being unpopular. I walked in and went to the restrooms. I quickly changed out of the uniform for school into some black pants, white t-shirt, black jacket, and a neon green cap. I put the hood on my hat and attached it to the velcro inside my hood and on my cap. I didn't like the way my hood would fall off every time I looked up. I stuffed my school clothes into my green backpack and tied my shoes. I quickly came out unnoticed and sat down at a booth. I waited until a waiter came to take my order.

"Hello sir, what can I get you?" the waiter asked. I looked at his tag to see his name to be Ryan.

"Well Ryan, we can start off with the right pronouns. I'm a girl." I said.

"I am so sorry. I can make up for you. I will get you a free drink. What can I get you?" he said.

"Water," I said.

"Okay, what about food? Want to have lunch?" he asked.

"I'll take a hot dog and french fries," I said.

"Okay, I'll be right back!" he said as he walked into the kitchen of the restaurant. This waiter was as annoying as my little sister Leanna, but she was 8.

I looked around to see the blue tables with the yellow chairs around me. All of them were empty due to the lack of business. They had 2 employees working at the time. I can't blame them wanting to work here. You can do barely anything and get paid.

"Hello, I'm back. Let's have lunch. Here is your food," he said as he sat himself across from me. I hated people like him.

"So, I'm Ryan," he said.

"I know," I replied. A moment passed in silence.

"And you are?" he asked.

"Clara," I responded.

"Clara, of course, you couldn't be a dude with that name. Maybe everyone should wear name tags. How old are you?" he asked.

"15," I responded.

"No school today?" he asked.

"No, there is," I said, "I just skipped."

"Oh, your that kind of person. Never the less, hobbies?" he asked.

"Nope," I responded.

"Okay, what do your parents do?" he asked.

"My mom is a karate instructor and my dad is Detective Inspector Williams," I said.

"Oh, don't we all know him. Clara Williams. I assume you take karate then?" he asked.

"Why would you assume that?" I asked.

"Because you mom instructs it," he said.

"Well you assumed wrong," I said. I started getting my bag and food together.

"Before you go, can I have your number? I mean if you want to?" Ryan asked.

"Sorry, not interested in a romantic partner," I said.

"No, as friends silly, you took it the wrong way," he said.

"Sure, why not," I said. I tore a piece of paper off my receipt and wrote him my number. I handed it to him.

"Thanks," he said. I walked out of the restaurant happily hoping to never see him again.

I walked down the street slowly just taking in the surroundings when I spotted a cop. I couldn't be caught out of school or my dad would be very angry so I quickly turned into the alleyway. It was dark, dirty, and had lots of trash. I walked slowly just knowing I'd find a rat when suddenly someone hit the back of my head with a can. I quickly turn to find a man devoured in black.