Get It Straight, Or Say Good Night

Don't Cry Baby

A yellowy dull light flickered then abated as a door opened and closed again in her vicinity, she looked up ahead at the local public house to learn it was closing for the night.

Being one of the rowdier pubs in the Liverpool area, it was also one of the last to close. Last shouts and wotnot being served to the late stayers, then the publican getting shirty and turfing them all out.

Lou ducked across the street to try and stay away from any drunkards lurking or leaving the establishment.

The night surrounded her, the lamp-lights dull and every now and then she felt the cold river breeze drifting up from the murky Mersey.

Louise picked up the pace and continued on, trying to keep alert to all but at the same time she was oblivious to the danger lurking close.

Her torch flickered, the battery slowly but surely dying, she hit it on her open palm twice to see if it would magically illuminate brightly. Bloody cheap rubbish, should never have bought it mail order she mumbled to no one in particular.

Something moved.

Her peripheral vision catching the edge of the movement located behind and across the street.

Lou was suddenly on edge.

Eyes widened.

Eyes widened trying to take in all of her blackened charcoal surroundings.

The shiver from the icy breeze before now replaced with an icier shiver of panic which ran lacing and wrapping her body.

Making her tense.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Her hands shook.

Stumbling, as she hastened herself to flee, she held the torch in her hands, purse to her stomach.

Lou was alone..... John and Aunt Mimi's house 'Mendips' was still an age away.

A/N: Readers- caution please, violent scenes ahead. If you do not like violence please miss the remainder of this chapter.

They walked twenty paces behind and across the other side of the road now.

They were definitely following her.

If she paused at the cross roads they did.

If she turned they followed.

Her silent padding along the footpath grew increasingly fast but, just as before, they matched her speed.

All too soon two overtook and two stepped nearer, she felt them in the trepidation in her heart and the goosebumps along her arms.....

Hidden behind..... in dark shadows of the night.

The big figures ahead stalked ever closer...

All too soon she saw them, front and centre, blocking her way, looming over her.

Mean eyes staring into her. She had never seen eyes like that before but felt it was like a cat playing with a mouse.

She had never been a mouse.

She was always the strongest, the noisiest, the most fearless one when dares were made....she had to be.

She had to be smart and strong to keep up with three brothers and their assorted menagerie of male friends.

Lou had never felt like she felt tonight, how she felt inside right now...

"Aye, lad's nice night" She tried desperately to appear friendly, to keep the quaver from her voice. wishing no ill to herself but knowing she was in trouble.