Creative Writing (Discovery)

I pushed my foot down on the accelerator and felt the car move beneath me; I had escaped, but it didn’t feel like it. I glanced in the rear vision mirror and saw the group of men in black sprinting after me. They were fast. Faster than I had thought, and they’ve probably called more people in, and are probably tracking the car right now… I shook my head, got to keep my mind on losing these guys first. I slammed my foot down harder on the accelerator, really feeling the car come alive. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through me, buildings flashed past me as I weaved through the traffic and hustle bustle of the city. I peered in the rear vision mirror once more, no one was following me. I’d lost them for now, but they’d find me, they always have. Always looking for me, until I gave in, but that wasn’t going to happen; nor was I planning on letting them catch me, although I had come close then. I steered the car down an empty street and parked it on the side of the road. I got out and put the keys on top of the car and walked back up the street. It was dangerous to use the car now. I pushed my hood over my head and walked towards the stretch of markets nearby. They’ll know what I’m wearing now, I need a disguise. I thought for a moment… I’ll have to steal some clothing. I hated stealing, but this was urgent. I walked into the mad rush of the markets and emerged ten minutes later with my pockets bulging. I headed towards the nearest block of toilets where I changed into the clothes I’d stolen. I shoved my old clothing into the nearest bin on my way out. I glanced at my battered watch, it was seven o’clock in the evening, I needed to get out of here as quick as possible, these streets are dangerous at night, the perfect time for dark deeds. I looked around frantically, I couldn’t see any of them, was I being watched? Spied on? A shiver went up my spine, I ran back into the toilet block and locked myself in a cubicle. I needed to think, I needed a plan, a way out. I thought for a moment; there was one person who could help me, it would be hard to go back and see him after all this time… but he was my only chance. I walked back onto the street. He lived in the dodgy side of the city, the slums. I doubt they would know about him, I never told anyone. I would be hidden there but it hurt too much just thinking about seeing him again though… Time was running out I had to get there fast. I took the shortcuts I used to take everyday, not much had changed. I ran through the park, over the train bridge and through many side streets before finally coming to a halt in a dingy alleyway. This was it, I was sure of it, heavy music was coming from nearby. I walked down a set of small red stairs heading underneath a run down warehouse. As I slowly walked down them, the music grew louder, my body felt the waves of bass flood through it. The tempo was fast, making me nervous. I banged on the heavily vandalized door and waited. Moments later the door opened and I started. It wasn’t him. “What?” the man grunted; it was hard to hear him over the music. “Is Toby there? I need to see him, it’s urgent” I demanded. The man grunted and gestured me to follow him. I walked behind him through the house, the music blared and the walls vibrated, people were swaying to the music, smoking and vanishing into dark corners. We moved down some more stairs into a dimly lit room full of a group men sitting around a table playing cards. “Toby, this chick’s after you.” The man said. I took a deep breath, the man sitting down with his back to me stood up and turned around, his eyes widened at the sight of me. He looked exactly the same since I had last seen him. His face broke into a grin, “Hey you, long time! What are you doing here?” he

asked. “Toby … I need your help.” I said, my voice shaking. “Ahh a bit of trouble with the law?” Toby said, winking at me. “No, it’s not like that…” I replied; Toby looked into my eyes for a moment before sensing the seriousness in my voice. “Okay, I’ll see what I can do.” He said. I followed him back up the stairs, through the small kitchen and through to another room, much smaller and darker. Toby pulled a cord above his head and light filled the room, I could see it much more clearly now, it looked like a cramped studio. There was a laptop on a messy desk, newspaper cutouts collaged onto the walls, and bits of paper and documents floating around. “So what do you need?” Toby asked. This is what I liked about him, no matter how much trouble you were in he never asked about it or judged you by it. “I just need a passport and a fake ID.” I said, still feeling nervous. “Hmm I can do that, but it’ll take a few hours, you look exhausted. Why don’t you have a nap in my room upstairs and I’ll wake you when I’m done?” He asked. “Yeah…” I said half convincingly; but my face told a different story. “Wow you really are in trouble aren’t you?” Toby exclaimed. “Yeah… huge, I don’t want to talk about it please.” I said quietly. “Well alright, grab anything from the kitchen if you like, and my room’s upstairs, you remember?” He asked. “Yeah I know. Thanks, I really appreciate this” I said. Toby smiled at me. I smiled back, but it was forced. I walked into the small kitchen and helped myself to some leftover Chinese before heading upstairs. I lay on Toby’s bed and felt the wave of tiredness come over me, I fell asleep almost immediately. Moments later it seemed, I was being shaken, “Wake up, quick hurry!” a voice said above me. I opened my eyes groggily and saw Toby standing over me. “What’s happening?” I asked, I could feel my heart thumping, had they found me? Do they know I’m here? I thought. Toby answered for me, “Cops busted our gathering, are they after you?” He asked. I relaxed. False alarm! “Oh no, they’re not after me, it’s something else…” my voice faltered. I looked away. I could feel Toby ‘s eyes piercing into mine. “Can I help you at all?” He asked. “What? You already have!” I said. “There’s got to be something else, can I take you anywhere?” He replied. I thought about it for a moment, “Oh, the airport?” I asked. He nodded. “I can take you now if you like.” Toby held out his hand for me, I longed to grab it but I held myself back; it was all too much. I got up by myself and followed him outside to his car.