Running From The Big Bad Wolf

13

Three Years Later

I groaned as soon as I heard the noise. Then I smiled. I've been smiling a lot these past three years.

I've been happy. So happy. I have a job, I'm paying my bills. I support myself and my son, Rhydian.

Three years ago, I flew to Wales and went to the address I had summarised in my head. There I found myself knocking on a door to see a kind looking woman in her mid forties. She told me she was the landlady of the apartments and gave me a key to one, saying she has been waiting for me for a while now.

I found myself going up the stairs to the apartment and opened the door.

Inside was minimally furnished and there were clothes in a bag with my new name on it. Kathleen Stewart.

Since then, I got myself a job, I started saving money and then I was getting sick. So common sense told me to get a pregnancy test.

So two jobs and a baby later, I became a single mother.

Mrs Dwyer, my landlady is a very nice woman. She helps look after Rhy for me when I work.

I got up out off the bed to see my two year old playing by the couch. "Mumma! Ma!" He laughed as he followed me to the small kitchen.

I picked Rhydian up and kissed his chubby cheeks. "Hey, baby." I smiled at him. We had breakfast together and got ready for the day, taking Rhydian downstairs to Mrs Dwyer.

After giving him another kiss, I left for work, walking down the street. I worked in a little country restaurant that was also a pub. I was a waitress and even though it wasn't my dream job, obviously, it helped pay the bills.

Work was six hours long and like I did every shift, I stressed about my son, praying that he was behaving and napping and being a good boy in general. Rhydian was a very active kid, probably hyperactive. But he is a toddler as well, I expect him to have lots of energy.

When I finished, I clocked off, taking my dyed red hair out of its bun and getting it in a bun again. I dyed it red ages ago and continued with it. My natural hair is a light brunette and light blue eyes.

Unfortunately, Rhydian didn't take after me. He took after his father. Dark hair, dark eyes. His hair curls naturally at the tips which is from me. His skin tone I would like to say is the same complexion as mine. I grew a baby inside of me for nine months, I like to think there is more of me in Rhydian instead of Axel.

As I leave the restaurant, I notice the familiar feeling of being followed. I was being watched. The restaurant is only two blocks away and I hasten my pace.

I feel my anxiety levels rising as I get closer to home. The street is littered with big black cars and tall men standing by them.

I start to jog, my thoughts on my son, then a full sprint to the apartment. I flew up the stairs to the entry and started knocking on Mrs Dwyer's door.

Mrs Dwyer opened and smiled upon seeing me. Her accent is a bit thick and it took some time for me to fully understand her when I first met her. I thanked her as I scooped up Rhydian and held him to me, kissing his head.

We walked up the stairs to our apartment. At first I thought it was paranoia about all the mysterious men about but they were on my floor too.

Holding Rhydian tight to me, I walked slowly to my door, staring at each person I had passed.

I wasn't surprised to see my door open and I carefully went inside, gripping my son tight to me. I saw someone sitting on the sofa, his back to me and I walked around to see who exactly was in my unit.

But I was surprised by who I saw because it wasn't who I was expecting. I was expecting Axel. But the man in front of me wasn't him.

"Who are you?" I asked, slightly trembling. "And what are you doing in my unit?"

The man turned to me and put down the coffee mug on to the little coffee table. He smiled as he put out his hand for a hand shake. I looked at his hand but didn't move.

He looked slightly familiar, but I couldn't pinpoint from where. I was petrified but I wasn't letting it on. I went from one end of the world to another. I didn't want to be found.

"I'm Eric Balwyn. I was a dear friend of your brothers. I am so sorry for your lose by the way." He said softly to me.

I don't know an Eric Balwyn but I gave him a curt nod. I miss Eli terribly everyday and all I want is to see him one more time.

"How did you know Eli?"

"We worked together when he was younger. Back before your mother died."

Rhydian was squirming to be put down but I didn't want to do that. I want to keep him as close as possible to me.

"How did you find me?" I asked him, blinking.

Eric smiled softly to me. "Eli. Eli told me."

"Bullshit. Eli has been dead for two years." I snapped out. For all I knew, he was working with Axel.

"I know. I understand that. He told me before he died. Weeks before he died. That you will be here and if there is ever any trouble coming, I had to warn you. Help you."

"What sort of trouble?" I asked him, afraid of the answer but already knowing the answer.

"Axel Wolf trouble."