Chasing the Night || a moey au

Chapter Eight

- Chapter Eight -

I have never once gotten lost on my way home from "work". I had never made a wrong turn, never went too far, never lost my way, it had become like a second nature to me. I knew where to go from practice of walking almost everywhere I desired to go. But for some reason, as my knee started acting up again and my eyes had started watering, I lost my place. I had no idea where I was, and the only thing I recognized was the lights and loud noises ahead of me. It sounded like downtown, which meant people, people to hide behind and try to blend in with.

I had no idea how I got so close to downtown, or which foot I misplaced to get my self, out of all places, here. I also had no idea why I ran away from Joey that fast, I confused myself sometimes. Deep inside, I knew I was just afraid of the past. Nothing scared me more than having to repeat what I went through before. I moved here for a reason, to live alone. No commitments, no friendships, no relationships, no life. And to me, Los Angeles was the perfect place. Hundreds of people to get lost in, someone could spot you, then lose you in a second, all because of the different faces, and I liked it that way. Except back then, I had no idea how hard that would be, especially on my own.

I turned onto the Main Street, already being attacked by bright lights and fancy city scenery. In the heart of Los Angeles, most people already dressed like me, so it was relatively difficult to tell a prostitute from a normal person just strolling through downtown. There were the ones that were distinguishable with their loud flirts and flashy clothing, but I was not one of those today.

I had considered finding a street to stand on in downtown for more money and more opportunities, but I always remembered my intention from the start: be a nobody. Keep a low profile, blend in with the crowd, don't give out information, and just stay below that general radar. That's how I figured I would survive the rest of my life in this world.

I continued down the busy street, passing restaurants and clothing shops. I looked to my right, watching the other side of the street, but before long, I regretted it. A familiar face stood out from among the many other people, familiar hair, familiar body type and I knew it just had to be, without a doubt, Joey.

It seems like there's no way to escape him, I thought to myself, as I walked quicker, nearing more apartment buildings and complexes. Joey turned towards a large building with the glass tinted a blue from what I could see at night. I breathed out as I thought I had gone unnoticed, before Joey took one final look around. Our eyes met, it couldve been for a second, it could've been for a quarter of a second, but for me, it felt like a whole year. His eyes sunk into my eyes and his face instantly lit up. I could never understand how he could be so happy to see someone like me. He doesn't even know me, and once he gets to know me, he'll wonder why he even enjoyed seeing me in the first place.

I sped up my pace again, but Joey had already hopped to it and started running across the road, making a dangerous decision for a completely unworthy cause. "Bree, Wait!" I turned back for a second to hear a car honk in Joeys direction, slowing down to avoid him. I swung my head forward again and continued walking. But after I heard heavy breathing beside my ear, I knew I was out of luck.

"Hey! What're you doing?" I heard from beside me, I didn't bother to turn my head.

"Going for a walk." I spat back, "Like a normal person just trying to go on a nice individual walk!"

"Well would you like to take a break from your walk and maybe come over and just have one drink with me?" He pleaded.

"I don't drink." I refused.

"I never said alcohol," he fought back, luring me in more with every word he said. I knew that was his plan, and whether I liked it or not, it was working.