Red Ghost

New World: START(Part 3)

I'm often told that I'm hard to understand. My face doesn't express my emotions like most people. Not only that but I consider myself to be quite accepting. Because of this I don't have many friends.

For example, in sixth grade, I had a friend come out of the closet to the entire class. Everyone else dropped their jaws and either scooted away or jumped forward with shiney eyes. I didn't understand what all the fuss was about, still don't. Plenty of my friends have admitted to strange preferences. For example mustaches being a turn-on or preferring small breasts over large ones.

This friend in sixth grade noticed my uncaring expression and thought it meant that I didn't care about her.

Situations like this aren't as common as they used to be. This isn't because I've changed in any way but instead because people have a hard time accepting me as a friend in the first place. They might try to start a conversation and even if I'm interested in the subject, they will eventually shut down because I don't seem to share their excitement.

This is the reason I didn't shower Matt--or Katt--with questions. I've simply come to accept it. After all, whatever this was did get me out of my test.

To an outsider my expression might appear to have nothing to do with my lack of curiosity but in truth it's my lack of curiosity creating a lack of expression- Or so is how I've come to think of it.

I'm taking the time to explain this so that you understand why I was surprised by my surprize.

After the two, hot guys threatened us, I followed Matt's order to run. I slipped right in between them in my beeline for the town. After a few yards I didn't hear them chasing after me so, against Matt's orders I glanced back.

What I saw was something I'd only ever seem on TV. I watched as one of the recently dismounted men strangled Matt.

Matt's feet weren't off the ground, yet it was clear the majority of his weight wasn't being held up by himself as he shuffled them around in hopes to get a better hold. He coughed up saliva as he choked which spewed all over the arm and face off the man holding him. It took only a few seconds longer for Matt's slow struggling to stop and his arms drop to his sides.

I didn't even have the time to turn around before the scene had ended and my chance to help him had disappeared. My eyes turned away from the scene as I noticed the second man look over at me.

In the time it had taken me to pause and glance back the second man had turned his attention to me and had already started on my trail. Now I understand why Matt told me not to look back. If I didn't have a head start I might never outrun the rhinoceros sized raccoon.

I took one more step, than another, and in no time I was running for my life. Little did I know that I wasn't going to make it to the city before them like I'd hoped.

('The Men')