Beyond the Lamppost

VI. Chased

Chapter Six:

X

Chased

For the last three days, Miss Hoggins instructed me to rest. That's why I spent those days cleaning my cabin and restocking some supplies.
Today is the fourth day of my rest, my last day off, and it is only a day before All Fool's Day. I decided to go to the market and buy some essential foods and things to make my cabin livelier. As I was buying some eggs and milk in the poultry section of the market, I overheard something unusual.
"...that's the Middleton's Mayor's son. I have heard he stopped by here yesterday evening. Is that true?" A woman wearing a fuchsia pink gown said to the owner of the stall.
"I haven't just heard it, I've seen it with my own eyes!" The owner exclaimed and they began talking in hushed voices as if not wanting anyone to hear their further gossips.
But why would the mayor's son be here? For all I knew, the mayor's son is not inclined to anything political or any relation to his father. He is into business and I doubt that he'll be having one of his businesses here. Greenwoods is too private to accept something to catchy for the media and spotlight.
I continue roaming around, neglecting those hushed gossips. As I was buying some flowers for my empty vases at home, I felt a foreign feeling that I've been watched.
I wanted to crane my neck badly in any direction just to confirm my hunch that someone is watching my every move, but I know it will be alarmed if I did exactly what I first thought of.
Instead, I lifted a bunch of yellow tulips and raised it to a direction as if I am inspecting its vibrancy towards the sun. That's when I noticed a man behind a post holding a magazine as a covering for his face. He wore a black Fedora hat that covers mostly the upper part of his face but I knew his eyes were directed to me.
I had a quick conversation with the vendor as I bought a bunch of yellow tulips and he wrapped it with brown paper.
"Thank you for your purchase, Madame." The vendor said before I left.
I briskly move from one stall to another and I can feel that he is following me. On the stall full of cactus and succulents, he moved closer to me like he was inspecting the plants too and is planning to buy one. My heart raced faster for our sudden proximity. I wanted to run, yes. But I no longer have the ability due to my injury. I needed to think fast of a way to escape him.
When two women inserted in the gap between us, I slowly took a side-step walk and turn to a random alley where there are many people. I am trying to blend in, but the blue gown I was wearing was of no help for most people either wore a bland colored gown or too vibrant ones but not blue. 
I continue taking turns into some unfamiliar alleys before I caught the familiar logo of a pub. Not minding the cold sweats running my face and the growing pain in my ankle, I walked fast towards it. But when I took a glanced back, I saw the man running after me.
He was my stepdad's friend! I immediately remembered his face when the hat he was wearing was pushed up and the magazine he used earlier is no longer hiding his face.
Is he after me because of my stepdad's debt? Or something else?
My hazy mind came to a halt when a pair of strong arms suddenly pulled me into i-do-not-know-where and closed the door of the room. One hand covered my mouth, preventing me from shouting for help while the other grip my arms. As soon as I realized what was happening, I started wriggling from his grasped and forcefully hitting him with what my hand is holding--my grocery items. I muffled a shout and stomped my feet towards the direction of the stranger before finally been able to set free but I heard a curse and followed by a shout.
"Shit! That hurts! What was that for?!"
"Who are you?! Why did you drag me here?" I shouted as I took a step back away from the stranger. The room is dark but some light enters through the small window near the door. He was standing against the light so there's no way in seeing who my abductor is.
"I saved you, okay? Is that the way to thank me?!" I was stupified by his words. Saved?
"I-I need no saving." I denied. But my eyes saw a man wearing a Fedora hat in the small window of the room. He was glancing from left to right, probably looking for me. The stranger also looked at the window and sigh.
"Yeah, why do I care anyway. Get out!" I would love to. I wanted to say but the man is still out there and honestly speaking, I am safe here for the meantime.
"I- Th-thank you." I lowered my gaze, ashamed of my previous action. I saw some petals that fall off from the flower and some grocery items on the floor. I moved to pick it all up. Just as I was about to pick up the last item, the man picked it up before me.
"I'm sorry for scaring you." I stared at his eyes. And I can feel the sincerity from it. The small light revealed a small portion of his face but I can't tell if I already saw him here in Greenwoods or not.
"No, I should be the one saying sorry. For the - uhm- hit and kick?" A long silence enveloped us and I've been feeling awkward. I cleared my throat. "I gotta go. I'm sure I'll be safe right now. Thank you again."
He didn't budge for a while so I started walking towards the door. But before I can open it, he walks nearer and spoke.
"I'm Mave. Mave Hester." My hands stop from turning the knob.
I turned around and saw the whole face of the man. He was now facing the light from the window and I can perfectly saw a resemblance of Mr. Hester in him. He extended his handto me.
"I know of your father. I already met him." I said as I shook his hand for a brief second and turned immediately. "I should go now. Nice to meet you."
I walked out the door and I was about to close it, I saw him still standing in his place with his extended hand. He was spacing out for too long. Odd.
I started walking away from that room. With my initial plan to go to the pub own by Mr. Hester, I think I can drop it out now, now that I've escaped the man following me.
But as I walk away, I recall the unknown feeling when I hold that man's hand. His hand is as cold as ice but I felt like I've been burnt. And when my hand left him, I felt drained. Is it me or is it just the whole messy situation I'm in earlier that I felt tired and drained?
This week has been full of mystery. The man in the park, the sudden appearance of the mayor's son, my stepdad's friend, and the Hesters. There's something about those people that I am curious to know but I felt also dangerous, well except for the Hester's I think.
But first, I need to get out of the sight of my stepdad's friend. I need to hide or else my life won't be at peace again.