RAINDROPS

Chapter 8

'Hello Ally.' he says. 'I've been dying to meet you.'

A big, old guy with grey hair is looking at me with stone cold eyes. His mouth is turned upwards into a smile, but it doesn't meet his eyes. It's a terrifying sight even before I notice the big broadsword in his hand. I stumble back and almost trip, at the last moment I catch myself against the wall.

'So, you've already met Nick. Interesting...' he says.

'Who are you?!' I yell at him. He looks at me with a weird interest.

My voice sounds shaky, no matter how much I try to steady it. This man knows my name and Nick's. And what did he mean he's been dying to see me, it makes no sense.

The way he's holding his broadsword tells me he could attack any second. Every muscle is telling me to run, but I wait. He's standing still, so maybe I should let him talk and find out more about him.

'I was actually planning to send you a message tonight, but since you're here now I might as well give it in person.' he says.

It makes me realise something. The vision that I saw when I touched Nick, the threat on the wall, he must be connected to it somehow. He draws in breath and is about to talk again. I decide I'm not going to wait around for him to do that this time.

Quickly I turn around and run toward the other side of the hall and through the double doors. In his threat he told me I would die, which makes me determined not to let that happen. Behind me I suddenly hear his voice. 

'Come back here!' he yells at me. 

My feet start to run even faster, seemingly encouraged by his words. I just need to get help, then maybe I can get away. Where's Nick? He was supposed to be here! I stumble and almost fall. Maybe Nick didn't come. One thing I do know is that I can't wait for him to come.

I pass through another hall and hear doors behind me close. The parking lot is not too far from here, if I could just get to Jack...

As I throw open the last doors something hits me in the back of my head knocking me down on the cold grass. Groaning I slightly touch my head. It's throbbing really badly, but I don't see any blood. When I look for what hit me, I see a knife next to me in the grass. That's what must have hit me in the head. I realise I was either really lucky it hit me with the handle, or that man is scary accurate and wanted to hit me like that.

Before I can think of it any further I look up to see him standing right in front of me. On the ground I'm completely helpless, the man starts to bring down his broadsword.

This is it. I can't believe there's nothing I can do.

Slowly I close my eyes, preparing for the worst and not wanting to see any of it. The sword comes down with a hard blow, knocking the air straight out of me. The pain is immense, but I realise it's not over. From out of nowhere a bullet hits the man in his side.

One, two, three. The bullets keep coming. I look to the direction they're coming from and then I see him, Nick. He came after all. 

Once I realise I'm not alone anymore I want to stand up and help Nick fight, but as soon as I try I just as fast fall back to the ground. The sword might not have hit me with the sharp edge, nevertheless the flat side also hurts extremely. I don't give up and try again, with no luck. I groan from the pain, it seems to be everywhere. 

Nick continues firing, but the man still looks unscathed. The bullets aren't doing anything! I want to yell to Nick, but I can't find my voice to do it. You need air to talk and I'm a bit short of that at the moment.

Nick finally stops shooting after emptying multiple magazines and kneels down beside me. 'Are you alright?' he asks. All I can do in return is nod, although I doubt he believes me since there are tears already welling up in my eyes.