Miss Hawkridge

ten

She stood amongst a row of houses similar to the one Elijah lived in, perhaps it was the same neighbourhood. The large gate towered over her, but the house was visible from in between the bars over-wrought with vines. She kicked open rusted gate and slipped in.

Switching on her phone's flashlight, she walked through the tall weeds, the footpath reclaimed by nature. The house itself was in dilapidation, which did not help Liv's already spooked heart, and neither did the time.

Through the cracks of the weeds, the light source shook, as the girl made her way up the steps of the house. From behind the large, oak tree, the girl was unaware of the shadow casted by the moonlight on the swing set beside it as she knocked and then entered the house.

Liv scurried to find the light switch, and was surprised when the light actually turned on. The glow was dim, as a layer of dust clung to the old-fashioned chandelier bulb. She stepped onto the foyer, a swirl of dust rose to the air under her phone's flashlight as she entered the kitchen.

The soft glow from the living room disappeared as a singular beam waved widely from a side window. Peering in, two shadows seemed to be struggling, until the beam of light vanished.

"What are you doing here," Liv hissed through her teeth, crouching underneath the sink. The figure silenced her, before raising up to glimpse out the window.

Before Liv could utter another word, the figure grabbed her hand and hauled her out through the back door of the house.

It was as she jumped from the steps did she realise someone on their tail. They encircled the house, sprinting faster than their legs could carry them as they skipped the tumbleweeds and creepers and pushed the gate breaking free.

"I can't do it!" Liv cried, in accents of despair. They ran. She was like a rheumatic old man bent double with pain. Their chase continued for a few rows of houses and when Liv located a familiar spot, she darted towards that direction.

The bell rang profusely as the inhabitant scrambled to open the door. They stood staring at each other, Liv diminishing from their gaze, that is until she pushed them in.

"What-" Elijah began. Liv help up a hand as she struggled to catch her breath, mouthing water to her host.

"Someone's after us," Liv said as they gulped the tall glasses of water.

"I think it's Corey," Amelia said, as Elijah stared at the both of them.

"No, it couldn't have been Corey. He thinks too highly of himself to run after a bunch of girls."

"He's not if you know what I do," Amelia insisted.

"What do you know Amelia?" Liv crosses her arms, "and I think the million dollar question is, why did you run away?"

"I didn't run away," Amelia turned her face away, "I went into hiding. I needed to," she turned back to face them again, "I was in danger."

"Yeah, we know. Anna told us," Elijah spoke for the first time. Painful memories flashed back to both of them.

"It wasn't Anna's fault, she was only trying to protect me," Amelia stepped forward.

"And I was invisible to you?" Elijah demanded. "I must've been," he scoffed, "why else would you sleep with someone else."

"I didn't sleep with him, I would never do that to you," her eyes swam. Liv looked at the both of them.

"Are you both out of your goddamn minds?" She burst. "This isn't a Brazilian soap opera so save your drama for later. We have to find out who's after us, or did you forget that the moment you saw your boyfriend?"