The Things We Do (Under Editing)

Facing My Demons

Deep in the hours between late night and early morning, when time doesn't feel real and anything could happen, that anything tended to happen to me. Of all the things I could have expected to run into in the blackest corners of my city, the young rich girl I'd once kidnapped was definitely not on the list.

Anna Gray trembled as she stared up at me, her eyes as wide as the moon above us. For a moment, we both just stared at each other, her expression holding more fear than I'd seen on it at any point when she was my prisoner or after, and in an instant I decided that anything that could leave a girl as strong as her trembling was an enemy of mine. I'd give Wraith any excuse necessary.

My gaze flicked past the small child as more footsteps disappeared into the sound of shoes sliding to a stop on dusty pavement. Without looking back down, I stepped around Anna, not touching her. The shadows still veiled her pursuer, so I stared the shadows down.

"Nothing to say?" The shadows spoke first.

"What reason do I have to speak to you?" I tilted my head, trying to seem unconcerned.

As if it were a response, my copycat stepped into the dim glow of broken streetlights. She spread her arms wide and turned, showing herself off.

I, in turn, hooked one foot around the other ankle and shoved my hands deep into my pockets, raising an eyebrow.

Still, neither of us spoke.

Eventually, I turned my back, despite every instant screaming that it was a terrible idea, and moved to throw Anna over my shoulder. If I had to kidnap her again to get her out of this, I would.

"Wait!" my copycat called out.

I paused, Anna still not quite in reach.

When she spoke again I could hear the smile in her voice. "It's really you, isn't it? I had hoped we'd get to meet."

"And why is that?" I tried to sound like I was talking to an annoying child, hiding the nervousness that gripped me. Anna's eyes met mine and I forced the fear down. "Stay still" I mouthed silently before turning once again to face 'me'.

"Well," Copycat's voice squeaked slightly and she laced her fingers together. "I've been working really hard to get back at the people who crossed you and make sure no one does it again. I was sure you'd notice and maybe want to meet me."

My stomach turned. "Your time would be better spent hoping that I didn't notice you and didn't care. If I had any interest in meeting you it would be to tell you to stop." I dropped the nonchalance and laced my voice with venom. "My plans are very delicate and you are interfering."

Her eyes went wide. "I-I was just trying to help."

"I didn't ask for your help. Now stop what you've been up to, or I will have to make you."

As I watched, a million emotions crossed her face, all settling together into rage. "I did all of this for you! I've been fighting your enemies! You don't get to just push me aside!"

She yelled the last words at my back as I turned away once again. "You don't get to tell me what I can and can't do." My instincts had been right. The stillness of the night, my footsteps couldn't mask the distinct click of a gun safety switch. Now I was left with a gun pointed at my back. Why did they always bring out a gun? I was really tired of guns. Tipping my balance so I swung halfway back towards her, I turned my head only slightly and stared at her out of the corner of my eye. "Don't."

My threat was lost on her as she took aim. "We'll see what you think when I solve your problems."

Too late, I realized that it wasn't me she was aiming at, but Anna. I dove for the girl, using my momentum to throw her out of the way. Unfortunately, it also put me in front of the barrel. With how much shorty Anna was than me, though, the gun was aimed not at my heart, but at my hip. That didn't mean it didn't still hurt like Hell. Forcing myself, to stand straight, I limped over and ripped the gun from the copycat's hand.

"We're done here," I hissed at her, removing the magazine and tossing the weapon into a nearby dumpster.

"No." I should have expected the word, or at the very least, what came with it. Before I moved out of arm's reach, I found a fist flying at my face.

Experience alone saved me from a broken jaw. It's depressing that enough people try to break my face that I naturally dodge. That's my life for you.

Her force, unchecked by the expected impact with my head, sent my really messed up counterfeit flying past me. I flipped her on the way, landing her flat on her back. Before she could regain her feet, I grabbed Anna's hand and took off as fast as I could, clenching my jaw against the pain that snaked outward from my wound with every jarring step.

I didn't have the energy to dodge obstacles every other step, so I made the potentially terrible decision of fleeing down the road instead of through an alley.

We were, of course, followed by the screaming loon who may or may not have had a second gun on hand. With all the noise, people were bound to be waking up. Great...

In a last ditch effort, I tossed Anna into another alley and turned to face my attacker. Whatever came, I was going to take it head on.