Running In Chains

Chapter one: Week and a Half Earlier.

** I just want to say thank you to @shekissesskeletons for making my cover! you should check out some of her works! :)**

Chapter one: Week and a Half Earlier.

Running.

People are always running from something, or someone. Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes you can’t run.

You don’t always know who you’re running from, it’s not like you stop and ask. My name is Evette Sanders and I have been running, running from him.

I pass the same alley everyday walking home from work, and everyday, it gives me the creeps. Today in particular, as I pass, I notice a figure standing deep in the dark alley and think nothing of it until I hear a sharp scream coming from that same alley way. I stopped dead in my tracks in the middle of the opening. "Who's there?" Every bone in my body is screaming for me to run, but I can’t find it in me to take a single step. The street lights barely illuminate the opening of the alley, I can’t make out anything other than that main figure and something in a slump against the alleys wall. It isn’t until I realize the figure is making its way towards my end of the alley that I finally get the courage to run. I run towards my apartment as fast as my feet will carry me and hope that it’s fast enough. I make it to my street and glance back to see if I’m being followed, a sigh of relief escapes my parted lips as i pant for breath happy that I lost him.

As I sink into my couch, I turn on the TV to some cooking show and wonder if I should call the cops, I don’t know what I saw. I think someone was being hurt but it could have been a heated argument for all I know. Before I even have the chance to come to a conclusion I’m out cold, the night’s events catch up with me and I pass out from exhaustion.

I wake up to a thud only to realize it was me falling off the couch, I gaze around realizing where I am and check the time. Seeing its noon I go to the kitchen to find something to make, I end up with a sandwich and make my way to my room to shower and get ready for the day throwing on a bit of make up to highlight my green eyes and putting my blonde hair into a quick pony. Leaving my apartment in a pair of ripped jean shorts and a white t-shirt I make my way towards the alley from last night, being way to curious as to what happened. I come to the opening and peer in (even during the day this place gives me the creeps!). I walk towards where I had first seen the figure and look for anything that might give away what that person was doing in the alley. I glance at the wall and think I see blood but it’s beside garbage so how would I be sure seeing as it’s dried and could be anything.

 "Can I help you?" I yelp, startled that anyone is in this alley with me, I look towards where the deep masculine voice came from and see him. A man about the same size as the figure from last night but I can’t be sure. He was tall about 6'3 and in shape, he had short dark brown hair, if the sun wasn’t shining on it I would have thought it was black. I could just make out the dull brown of his eyes, his pale lips formed a harsh grin surrounded by thin stubble. "Are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost." He chuckles at me. I’m almost sure he is playing with me as I watch him slowly moving closer to where I’m standing. This isn’t good, it’s him, I just know it. The hairs on my neck are standing but I need to act normal like I don’t know him or what he’s talking about.

 "Hello, sorry I was just on a walk and saw this alley and was curious is all. Do you live near here?" I make sure to keep the smile on my face to seem like I really am just wandering. I can tell he sees what I’m trying to do as his grin turns into a full out sinister smile. I gulp and take a step back. He is blocking the entrance to the alley and the only other way to go is deeper in where I know eventually comes to a fenced off end. As I walk back he steps forward matching my steps about 10 paces away from me. I keep my smile light waiting for his reply.