Anthony Udoh 的作品

The drive to the hospital was quiet. Maya sat in the passenger seat looking out the window while Xander drove. They hadn't spoken since leaving her parents house. When they arrived Xander parked without saying a word. "We'll be quick " he said. The maternity wing was surprisingly peaceful. A TV played quietly in one corner. A few expectant mothers chatted with their families. A nurse smiled warmly welcoming them both. "Mrs. Blackwood?" Maya blinked. "...I'm not—" Xander answered before she could. "She's here for an assessment." The nurse nodded. "Please have a seat. The doctor will be with you shortly." Maya shot Xander a look. A minutes later the consulting room door opened and a man stepped out. Maya blinked. Well... She hadn't expected that. She'd always imagined doctors as old men with grey hair and thick glasses. Dr. Adrian Vale looked nothing like that. It was nice to see one young as this. He looked to be in his thirties. He had f

‎Maya stood there breathing hard. ‎Her chest was moving up and down fast. She tried to slow it down. It wouldn't listen. ‎Her hands were shaking. She pressed them against her jeans. ‎Behind her one of the men groaned. ‎Her whole body reacted before she could stop it. ‎Then she looked at the guy who saved her. ‎"Thank you " she said. ‎Her voice came out rough. She cleared her throat. ‎"Seriously… thank you. That could have gone really bad." ‎He nodded once. ‎"Not bad yourself " he said. ‎Maya blinked. "What?" ‎He nodded toward the man on the ground. "That throw." ‎"Oh… that." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Just basic self-defense classes. A girl's gonna learn how to protect herself. " ‎"Even wfith that I was still pretty outnumbered. So thank you again" she stopped. ‎He nodded smoothening his clothes. ‎She started picking her stuff that had fallen over the floor. ‎"Can I know your name?" she asked after a moment. ". Or do I call you Bruce Lee?" ‎"…Ethan." ‎ ‎"May

‎A voice boomed from the end of the block. ‎ ‎“HEY!” ‎ ‎The shout cut through the night. ‎ ‎All five men turned around. ‎ ‎At the end of the street a figure stepped out from the shadows under a streetlight that was flickering. ‎ ‎He started walking towards them. ‎ ‎He walked slowly. ‎ ‎Maya blinked away her tears and her vision was blurry. ‎ ‎For a second she thought she was imagining things. ‎ ‎The man moved with a calmness that did not fit this situation. ‎ ‎He was tall. Had broad shoulders with a strong build. ‎ ‎A dark jacket was hanging open over his clothes. He wore dark shades that hid his eyes even in the dim light. ‎ ‎He stopped a few feet away from them. ‎ ‎Then without saying a word he started rolling up his sleeves. ‎ ‎One fold, then another, very slowly. ‎ ‎Maya's breath caught in her throat. ‎ ‎“Look at this guy " one of the thugs sneered. ‎ ‎The leader let out a laugh and tightened his grip on the knife at Maya's throat. ‎ ‎His voice

‎The hospital hallway smelled like disinfectant. Maya had lost track of how many hours she had spent sitting beside her fathers bed. ‎ ‎Thompson was finally sleeping his knee wrapped up. Elevated. Cheryl sat beside him arms folded, refusing to leave. ‎ ‎"Maya go home " Cheryl said firmly for the time that night. ‎ ‎"I am fine Mom " Maya replied quietly. "I can stay." ‎ ‎We are both were okay. Cheryl pointed toward the door. "Go get some clothes. Maybe something for breakfast tomorrow. I will stay with your father." ‎ ‎Thompson opened one eye weakly. "Your mom won't move an inch. Trust me kiddo. Go home." ‎ ‎Maya hesitated, then sighed. "Alright. I will be back early in the morning." ‎ ‎She squeezed her father's hand kissed her mom on the cheek and walked out into the night. ‎ ‎The hospital parking lot was nearly empty. A few streetlights flickered above the rows of cars. ‎ ‎Her car sat near the corner. ‎ ‎Maya unlocked the door. Slipped inside rubbing her hands to

The night was really quiet at the Thompson house. The sound of crickets outside was coming in through the window as Maya put on her pajamas and got into bed. She let out a sigh feeling tired but also feeling good. “At least here I do not have to see his face and I don’t have to think about him”, she told herself looking at her phone. Before she went to sleep she sent a message to Rachel: Maya: I am staying with my parents tonight. Do not worry, I’m okay. Rachel replied immediately. Rachel: Good. I was worried. Text me if anything happens. Love you. Maya smiled a little put her phone beside her pillow and closed her eyes. She went to sleep slowly until – A loud scream broke the silence. Maya sat up fast her heart beating fast. “Mom? Dad?” She got out of bed. Ran to the door. She could hear someone moving around in the hallway. She rushed out. Stopped at the top of the stairs. Her mouth wide open in shock. Her father Thompson was lying on the stairs one leg

“Maya “ Xander said. His eyes looked at hers. “I am going out of the country for a few days. Use this time to think about what you want. Do not make decisions because of pride.”Maya crossed her arms tightly across her chest. She was so angry she wanted to hit him. “Nothing will make me change my mind, Xander. But—” she said smiling weirdly “I’ll take the leave, and that’s it.”Xander’s jaw got tighter. “Good. You have three days. When I get back I expect an answer.”Mayas lips pressed together in a line. Without saying another word she turned around and left the office.The door slammed shut behind her leaving Xander standing still behind his desk with a frown on his face.Maya walked quickly across the reception area grabbed her bag from her desk and left the building.When she walked out of the building she heard car horns, people rushing and street vendors calling out.. None of it bothered her. Her mind was already elsewhere. She needed to escape. To breathe. To leave the trouble