City Of Evil

Prologue

      Scar's POV:

        "Fuck fuck fuck!!" I panted under my breath as two large men hunted after me. My dirty, red Converse slapped the hot concrete, stinging my feet. 

        "Get back here, thief!!" One man called, causing me to push my legs harder down the sidewalk. 

        I could feels their furious eyes eat their way deeper into my back, rip through my ribs, and peer into my soul. Hearing their feet stomp behind me was like whipping a horse; all it did was motivated me to keep going.

        Fear and adrenaline filled my blood as my heart pounded in my ears. Feeling myself gasping for air, I realized I needed to get away, I couldn't run much longer. Glimpsing around me, I notice a large crowd of people gathered outside a building. Perfect. I make a b-line straight for the crowd, pushing and shoving my way inside the body of people. Luckily, I'm both short and tiny, which gives me an advantage over my bulky pursuers.

        Once inside the crowd, I drop to my hand and knees. Every so often, I'd get the occasional kick in my ribs or face, but it was all worth it if it means confusing Dumb and Dumber.

        After a good 5 minutes of scraping my knees on the burning pavement and catching my much needed breath, I check to see if they've retreated. Which indeed they did, cowering away to the neighboring donut shop.

        I escape the crowd and roll my eyes at the two oblivious security guards, "Idiots." I hiss under my breath just before the crowd of squealing teenagers roared with excitement, drawing my attention.

        The doors to a large building had opened, teenagers and adults of all sorts began to flood inside. They were mostly tattooed, practically only wore black, and their hair was either in that long, emo-kid haircut or spiked into Mohawks. Must be some kinda kick-ass rock show going on. 

        I sighed, longing to join them. It's been months since I've been to a good concert, which was barely even worth it since I only saw the opening band before they realized I snuck in and kicked me out.

        Although, I decided being chased by security guards twice in one day wouldn't be such a good idea. I began on my journey to my "home without a home", my old 1990 Honda Accord. 

        Yes, I live in my car. You see, I'm bit homeless. I've been living on the streets of Los Angeles, California since I was merely 18 year old. Job hunting for a good paying job right now, in May of 2005, is a major struggle. So no job, no money, no rent, no house. Simple as that. 

        I was born into this unfair world as Scarlett Louise Miller on March 19th, 1983 to a beautiful mother and a hardworking father. Things were great in the beginning but quickly turned sour in the end. 

        My mind wondered as the sun began lowering itself just beyond the horizon of palm trees and city buildings. The sky was a blend of brilliant oranges and pinks being painted across the mile wide sky.

        Half way home, I felt in my pocket to reassure I still had my reward. I didn't want all that running to be for nothing. The wad of cash was still protected deep inside the pockets of my jean shorts. 

        Finally, I made my way back to the protection of my run-down Honda. It was parked behind an old abandoned hotel where no one could see it. I curl up on the drivers seat and lock the door to whip out the money and inspect it. I sigh in disappointment, realizing all I grabbed was just couple of ones and fives and maybe 2 ten dollar bills. I counted it up to a total of a measly $34. 

        "Well, that'll get me through the next couple of weeks, I guess." I sigh, locking the load into my dashboard. 

        I flick on my car battery to listen to a few tunes before getting to sleep. I pop in the silver mix CD of various bands an old friend gave me years ago. There's no label or anything, so to this day I still don't know half the bands on the disk. 

        After a good 20 minutes of jam time, I could feel my lids get heavier and heavier. Just before the decent into dreamland, I turn off my car. Curling up in a couple of blankets and lowering the driver seat, I make myself comfortable in the daunting blackness of night. I close my eyes and drift into a much needed sleep.