❥ heart of gold ➛Van Dijk

²¹ | kiss it better

Between all the celebrating athletes, Jordan was the one with bigger responsibility at the moment who kept a clearer mind.
He also stood in the dressing room, wet from someone spraying his drink around the room.

The captain touched his hair and looked around, seeing his euphoric teammates everywhere, with or without clothing. He searched for Marly, wanting to know more about what happened with the youngsters. He promised her after all.

After leaving the room, he made his way down the corridor to the physio rooms. He knocked on Marlys office and tried to open the door but it was already locked.
He scruffed his eyebrows, doing the same at Chris' door.
Said opened and looked at the player.
"Jordan, how can I help you?"

"I was just wondering if Marly is still here, she's not in her office"

"I believe she already left and went home, Jordan. Is there anything I can take over that you wanted to tell her?"

He shook his head.
"No, it's alright, thank you, Chris"

"You're welcome"

Scratching his head, the Captain went back to the locker room to change, but he still found it strange that she left that soon.

_________

Once I stepped out of Anfield, the street lanterns were the only source of light out in the pitch black evening.

I sighed and collected my nerves before walking on. Honestly, I deliberated to go back one last time, but I decided against it, balling my fists and moving on.

The cold, freezing air was slapping my face and I cuddled myself more into my warm, thick jacket from work. I could see my breath fanning in the air.

But contrary to other nights, the streets were still lively, mostly with fans who just came out of the stadium.
Right in front of the stadium, I could hear them yell and growl, probably the fans of both Liverpool and United bickering each other.
But I felt safer when I remembered that there's no matchday without any police presence.

I bit my lip when I entered the streets away from the stadium to the station which I knew from memory. It's not that long anymore. Only a few minutes walk and I'm there.

My gut feeling was everything but good, but my phone said the next and probably last train of the line would arrive in a few minutes, so I decided against walking back, especially when there are people outside the stadium fighting, I don't want to go through this mob.

My teeth clattered and I walked faster.
I was the only person to walk around outside when i turned left to the next street. Creepy but as long as I'm there soon I don't mind.

That changed soon though when I had to walk through the next street and on the other end of it, I could already hear from afar that the persons hurdling there were almost all male. I could see they were holding bottles in their hands, so they're probably drunk too.
I gulped and instantly turned on my heels.

While I turned my back towards them, one man of the group probably spotted me, because I could hear someone yelling and footsteps followed.

I hastily looked over my shoulder and saw that now three men were metres behind me in the dark street, only enlightened by four dimly lit lanterns.

My breath hitched in my throat and now I was running from them.

"Don't run honey! Come here to us" I heard some man say and I cringed and panic bubbled up in my stomach.

I fought the tears of despair back and since I wasn't drunk, I ran quicker around the corners, especially the dark ones where they couldn't see me. Once again I thanked myself for knowing the ways in Liverpool like the ones at home.