Moving Forward

Nine- When Running Counts

As we followed Louis back down several ally ways, a pit grew in my stomach. That kind of feeling you get when something bad is about to happen. Because of this I clung so close to Zayn that I think even he was annoyed.

"Here we are. Just through these doors sweetheart" Louis said, emphasising the sweetheart. *Barfs*

"M-me first?" I questioned.

"Do as he says, Vee." Zayn spoke quietly. Now that's a nickname I hadn't heard before. I nod, and step through the doors, the room around me is dark, and smells of smoke, like cigarettes... but different.

"Now, Hun. Why don't you go make yourself something to eat in that kitchen, while us men chat." Louis guided me by the shoulder in the direction of what I assumed to be the kitchen. The next thing I know, I'm alone.

Okay, make myself something to eat. I can do that. Lets see what they have. I looked in the pantry to finds big clear bags of sugar... or possibly flour. They had a low variety of herbs, but I'd never seen these kinds of herbs before, I opened a small bag and smelled them. I hadn't smelt anything like it before, so I put it back. I then opened the fridge, which was full of beer bottles and old looking pizza boxes. But I had some luck when I opened the next cupboard, it had a muffin mix and several labeled spices. And some spaghetti sauce and noodles. I just figured I'd make a whole meal. I still remember my grandma's recipe for melt-in-your-mouth garlic muffins and the best tasting spaghetti. The only thing it's missing is my mom's famous meat-lover's meatballs.

After about 45 minutes of cooking the noodles were done and the sauce was finished I began mixing them together. And then I heard the sound of the oven, signalling my garlic muffins were done, so I opened it, and a much better smell filled the air.

"Mmm, what's going on in here? That smells delicious!" A blonde man said. I jumped, startled at the sudden sound of another voice.

"Oh, thanks. Um, I was just making some dinner. You hungry?"

"Hell yeah, baby!"

I smiled at his unusual enthusiasm to food. "Perfect. I'll make you a plate. There's plenty here."

"Sweet." He sat on one of the bar stools at the bar/island counter. I finished mixing my stuff together, and then got out several paper plates I found in the far back of an empty cupboard.

I made a plate and handed it to him, after awhile of searching for the silverware. He seemed different than the others, his language first off. He didn't act like I was a piece of meat, and he made sure to keep his eyes above my shoulders- at least when I was looking.

"Thanks! This looks great!" He began shoveling food in his mouth like there was no tomorrow. "This shit is fucking awesome!" He said, barely having swallowed his food, then shoveling more in.

"Thanks, they are family recipes. I didn't have some of the other spices I usually use, but I guess it turned out okay. I made Louis and Zayn a plate. Along with Louis's friends, I think there were like ten of them. By the time that was done there was one garlic muffin left and barely a scoop of spaghetti. I put them on a plate, and took a bit of my garlic muffin. Mmm. Just as good as I remember them.

"Hey, would you mind going and getting the rest of the guys? I made enough for everyone." I said, as he was taking his last bite.

"Yeah, be right back." He said, and headed off towards the room I saw the guys walk into. "Hey, that girl out here can cook! She made everyone food if you want to- Zayn? W-what are you doing here?"

I couldn't help but overhear him, as he talked loud.

"She actually cooked? Wait... Dude keep your voice down! We can't let her know..." His voice got so quiet to the point I couldn't hear anything they were saying. I thought about ease dropping, but I'm not rude. I looked at the time. I had to be at work in three and a half hours, and I still needed to shower. After I finished eating I went to tell the boys that their food was getting cold and that I needed to head out but as I turned the corner I bumped into Louis.

"Oh, sorry, your food is getting cold-"

"Yeah? Let's go see what you got." Louis lead us back to the kitchen, and I got a bad feeling in my stomach.

"I have to leave soon, I have work later."

"Oh okay, yeah. Let's just eat first shall we? HEY BOYS! LEAVE EM TO IT! LET'S EAT!" He shouted, causing me to stiffen slightly. "Here, you can sit next to me." He patted the bar stool next to him as guys started filling in and each grabbing a plate. I felt as if I had no choice, so I sat next to him.

"Thanks babe. This looks nice." Several of the guys said, and everyone nodded in agreement.

Soon the room was full of the sound of forks tapping the paper plates and the slurping of noodles. There were only two plates left on the counter. Louis's and Zayn's.

"Umm, where is Zayn?" I asked.

I heard a few throats clear and some chuckles, but I still awaited my answer.

"He's busy, sweetheart. He and Niall have business t'deal with, then he'll need a couple'a hours with our... Welcoming gift." Louis smirked, pausing before 'welcoming gift'.

"Welcoming gift?" I repeated confused, "But you didn't know we'd be here... when did you-"

"Oh, we had her on speed dial since he left us. She been missing him for a long time, little lady." That same black guy said. (Again I'm not racist, I'm descriptive)

"Aye! Boy," Louis said, in a firm yet light tone. "Shut yo mouth. It was supposed to be a secret!"

"No, it's fine." I spoke up, "I'm not his girlfriend, we're just good friends. I get it, he tried to break up with her, but she's probably a stuck-up bitch." They stared at me, surprised at my word choice; but I didn't care. I wasn't done yet. "And as for you, you guys seem nice, but I'm sure Zayn left for a reason; and I, for one, don't plan on hanging around to find out. So I'll see you boys later." I stood off the chair and quickly walked to the door, almost getting it opened before someone pushed it shut from behind me.

"And just where do you think you're going? No one leaves unless I say." It was Louis. I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life. I clung to the door knob and refused to turn around. I couldn't even speak. He must have sensed how freaked out I was, because he hummed in satisfaction. "Turn around sweetheart, come with me." I got an idea, it was spur of the moment, but I hoped it would work. I turned around slowly, and let go of the door knob. "That's it, babe. Come on... let me show you my room." Ew. I took about 7 or 8 steps then ducked under his arm and bolted for the door. Before he realized what had happened I was out the door.

I reached in my pocket for my cell phone. I needed to get help. I heard Louis and several other guys chasing me down the road. the only problem is I have no idea where I'm going. I look at my phone screen, and found Liam's number. I knew I had no other choice. I hit the call button, and turned to see how close they were. They were still hot on my trail. "HEEEEELLLP!" I screamed, as the number was still dialing, hoping to either get someone's attention or scare off him and his gang. No one came however, and they continued running after me, hooting and hollering. But the phone was finally ringing.

"Viora-Drayon?" Liam answered, obviously surprised I was calling.

"Liam! Help, there are guys chasing me... I don't know where I am! I usually can run for about 20 minutes full speed, but they're fast please, I need you!"

"Keep running, do you know their names?" I could hear him shuffling about, on the other line.

"One, his name," I am beginning to have trouble breathing, but I shake my head and push myself to keep going. "His name is Louis."

"I have your location. I'm on my way, don't let him catch you... fight as long as you can. I'll be there soon." I almost start crying. My throat is on fire, my side is developing a stitch, and I can still hear their pounding feet behind me. I know I can't out last them, so I'll have to loose them. I turn down a couple of off-road looking streets. By now, it's nightfall, so no one is on the main road anyway. At one point I tripped but I was far enough ahead to jump back up and keep running, but now I had a limp. I knew I didn't have much time before I collapsed again, so I turned down an alleyway to maybe hide in the dark shadows, or in between buildings. But it was blocked off. A dead end. It looks like I would have had a better chance if I had just kept running.