Hero

I took a deep breath, tied my hair back into a pony tail and slung my bag over my shoulder. Another shaky breath and i walked to the door. I composed myself and stepped out into the humid evening. Insects buzzed around me and i made a half-hearted attempt to swat them away. I perched on the front step as i awaited my ride.

A warm breeze scattered petals of blossom over the front garden. I sighed and ran a hand through my pony tail. I fidgeted about on the concrete and leant on the brick wall behind me. Lupin, Alyss, Lena and Lauren would be here soon. I twiddled my thumbs and looked up at the purpling sky. It was littered with little white stars.

A loud horn interrupted my thoughts, the car swerved dangerously onto the drive and skidded to a halt a meter in front  of me. Oh god, who let Alyss drive? She threw the door open and called "I saved you shotgun!" I let out a nervous giggle and stumbled to the door. Alyss looked my outfit up and down twice and rolled her eyes. I shrugged and climbed into the seat, i was greeted by smiles from the guys in the backseat. A crackled version of a rock song buzzed from the stereo. Alyss pretended to check her wing mirror and the swerved recklessly into the road.

A car slammed on it's breaks behind us and the driver began honking the horn and swearing violently. Lupin laughed, "Alyss," she began driving very quickly down the road, "I will repeat my question from earlier, 'are you sure your driving examiner wasn't just some random hobo?" Alyss shot him an un-amused glance and the rest of us laughed. Well, i wasn't really laughing. Outside laughing, sure, but not inside laughing. Inside i was soaking up Alyss' driving. I pretended to hate it, but really it gave me exactly the kind of rush i always craved.

I hated the fear that was gnawing me inside, i was just so petrified for What was coming. I was riddled with deadly anticipation. I couldn't believe they'd roped me into coming to a nightclub with them. Sure, on their behalf they were trying to get me to socialize and i wasn't exactly always a social butterfly... but they knew i wouldn't like it. 

Alyss, being the amazing driver she is parallel parked with the grace of an elephant. "OK Heather all we need is you and we can get in," she informed me. Why did i ever become famous? It's all a little too cliche, all my time is taken up trying to break the mould club drugs booze... i hated it all.

I jumped out of the car with more confidence than i actually had. My heels clicked as i made my way to the bouncer, "Hello, i'm Heather Blue. Would you mind if my friends and i came into your club?" Oh God i had no people skills. He didn't seem to recognize me at first, but he sure did when Lena began twirling her hair and shamelessly with him.

I repeated my question and he nodded. He opened the doors for us to step inside. Honestly, i had so many butterflies i thought i'd take off there and then.

My first thought, as i stepped into the sweltering room was that it smelt like roses. Roses and sweat. Everywhere i looked people where grinding together in the mass of huddled bodies that i was immediately engulfed in. I lost my friends after ten seconds. The writhing swarm sucked them up.

My mind ached, i couldn't comprehend everything at once. It was almost as if the room was alive, it's pulse disguised as the beating of the music. I felt like screaming, i couldn't breathe. Claustrophobia pounded at me from all directions as bodies pushed me one way and another.

I scanned the edges of the hall for the bar, i craved to escape. Breathing in short, ragged breaths i stumbled away and towards the over-powering smell of alcohol.  I threw myself down onto a stool and exhaled, my head thudded into my arms. God, that was a living hell. A tiny surge of anger bubbled in the pit of my stomach, i was so mad at those guys for dragging me along. They new i have people issues. I forced myself to  breathe and i pushed the anger out of my mind.

I needed fresh air, i needed to be able to breath, i needed to  get out of there. Tears threatened to overflow as i slid my way towards the exit, no, i refused myself the opportunity to cry and tripped out of the door.

I fumbled for my breath and ran clumsily in my heels. My throat was on fire as the harsh wind whipped violently at my face, tears streamed from my eyes. I didn't care if my mascara was running, i  just had to get away from there. My heart pounded in my ears, blood sloshed in my head. I made a silent vow never to go near that place again.

With a huge amount of effort I managed to clear my mind. That's when i realized where i was. Exactly the place every adult i'd ever met had told me to stay away from. A dark alley, that was eerily silent and the creepiest place i'd ever been. Oh god, i looked around me and began making my way back to the illuminated street.

"Hey!" A gruff voice called from behind me. I swallowed a scream and kept walking towards the light.  "What're you doin' down 'ere." Dear Lord, who on earth  taught this man how to speak?

"Just leaving," I replied my voice cracking slightly. My heart was in my throat, choking me. My night was just going downhill - and a steep hill at that. My pace quickened as i heard heavy footfall behind me- more than one person. I gulped down fear. I was seriously struggling to breathe, my xenophobia ( a fear of strangers) was beginning to kick in. I began to run. I tripped and fell to the ground. My face hit the gravel. Damn heels. "Where do you think you're going?" A figure chuckled, looming over me. I let a quick tear slide down my cheek.

"Just take my purse, please. I beg of you, don't hurt me," I said as a pathetic attempt to escape. The guy smelt of vodka and cigarettes. "Oh no, oh no, we're gunna 'av' ourselves a little fun." His words were just fueling the fire that was burning me up inside. The fire that was fear. A guy behind him let out a cackle ( yes i found this strange too) and began coming towards me with his arms extended. I shuffled backwards and let out a cry of fright. Tears formed streams down my face and i sobbed out a swear word. This just made him laugh harder.

He stopped laughing when something hit the ground at his feet. "What's that?" He croaked, only a little humour left in his voice. 'That' happened to be a little red hanker-chief wrapped around a rock. I stopped crying for a second to puzzle it out.  It was all the chance the other guy needed to pin me to the ground. I squirmed under his weight, "Get off of me!" I managed to yell down his ear. He flinched, but it wasn't enough to make him back off.

Suddenly, the man was ripped off me and i crawled away - unable to stand. A tall figure stood with his back to me. Had the man pressed up against the brick wall. "Don't you ever touch her again," he spat at whilst punching him in the face. I heard an Almighty cracking sound and he dropped the guy on the floor. He turned towards the other one, who began to back away and shout. The door to his left opened and three men peered out into the alley. Their eyes found me and they smirked - i shuffled further back into the shadows. 

Then thier eyes found the guy who was beating the hell out of their friend. One began swearing violently and they ran forward. The guy straightened up and slammed his firt into the mans face and all three of them went down like dominoes. Blood splattered across the pavement as they thudded to the ground. The guy wiped the blood off his fist, looked over at me and winked. Then i collapsed onto the ground, the last thing i saw was his face looming over me and then i passed out.