BRIDE FOR THE CLYDE'S

Madiaah 

  *

  *

  My brother was still groaning in pain from last night's shootout. I just sat there staring at him. This is the life we're forced to live in, running, hiding, and struggling to stay alive.

  My father opened the door and walked in; I suddenly felt irritated that his entire existence had been irritating me. We're in all of this because of him.

  "How's he doing?", he asked.

  "I believe you have eyes to see", I responded coldly.

  "Maddy I-"

  "I don't want to hear it", I said and got off the bed and walked out of the room.

  At first, when my father came clean to me and told me that he's been in society for years and that's where he got all his wealth from and now they're after him because he's trying to pull out because of our safety, I thought he was a hero, not wanting to be part of any of this. But when I found out it was the same society that took my mother and my father watched and did nothing, I developed nothing but hate for him.

  We've been on the run for the past four years, all the money we ran away with has been exhausted and I work my ass out 24/7 just so we can survive because they're after us to kill us.

  I low-key wish I grew up in a normal family.

  Last night, My brother Tommy and I worked late yesterday so we could get extra money, and while we were heading back, we got accustomed to one of my father's enemies he owed millions of money. He wanted to kill us; Tommy tried to fight back and got shot, but we managed to escape alive yesterday.

  Now we can't stay in this town anymore, we have to run as soon as possible before they find us.

  This is how my life has been since I turned 20, a living hell.

  I grabbed my jacket, put on my boots, and grabbed an umbrella.

  "Maddy, where are you going?" my dad asked.

  "My shift started 30 minutes ago, I'm late already", I said.

  "It's dangerous out there, they found us, and they'll be on the lookout; we need to leave town as soon as possible", he said.

  "With which money? Or are we going to fly there?" he didn't say anything again, and he sighed.

  I scoffed and left the house and headed straight to work.

  My boss was upset I came late and that I showed up without Tommy, I had to lie to her that we had a minor accident last night and Tommy got injured, plus the bruises I obtained from yesterday made it believable.

  Work was, as usual, nothing new and surprising, only that it was going to be my last day working here. It was how it was generally; I didn't get attached to anyone or anywhere because I knew we'd be leaving soon. 

  Nothing is ever permanent.

  And I think this is the longest I've stayed in a place. 10 months.

  Before I knew it, it was night already.

  I started cleaning up to close when someone walked through the door.

  He was a tall man who looked older than me, like by 4 to 5 years or equivalent. He had a long coat on and dark shades, which he took off immediately after he came in.

  He walked straight to me.

  "Good evening. What can I help you with?" I asked.

  "What can you offer me?" he had a very sexy American accent, but he looked like a typical Russian man. And I'm not going to lie, he looked really good in the eyes.

  "New here?", I asked.

  "Just arrived in town", he said.

  I nodded, "Well, I'll get you our special," I said and poured him a nice mix of Tequila, whiskey, and some cranberry wine, added it with some ice, and mixed a little lemon juice to give it a spicy taste.

  "I'll take it to go", he said.

  I poured it into a plastic cup and handed it over to him.

  He dropped a $100 bill on the table and left.

  I watched him go, shocked!

  This drink wasn't even up to $30!

  My boss came in.

  "Last customer, dropped a $100 and left", I said.

  He nodded, "That's a good way to end the night", he said and then handed me my pay for the day.

  "I'll lock up you can go now, you have a good night, I'll see you tomorrow, and say hello to Tommy for me", he said.

  I smiled, quite unfortunately that this is my last night here.

  I grabbed my jacket and headed out.

  It was 3 am. I thought of going back to the Club, sleeping on the couch, and leaving in the morning because of what happened yesterday, but then I just decided to shrug it off and head to the street.

  It was cold and quiet and I'm not going to lie to you, I was scared.

  Then I noticed someone walking behind me and I was kinda relieved that I wasn't the only one on the street, but then I noticed they started increasing in number, until I saw 6 men walking towards the same direction I was heading, they were following me, and they were probably following me home.

  Shit!

  I should have stayed in the club.

  This truly is my last night in this place and probably on Earth.

  .I had to change direction and headed the wrong way from home; even if they got me, they couldn't get my family, my brother!

  I suddenly felt this urge to run soon as I heard a gun cock; I followed that instinct and started running.

  They started running after me, too, and before I could say, Jack, they started shooting at me.

  One of the things I've learned over the years is how to run; I swear if I decide to take it up as a sport, I know I'll win medals.

  I ran through the streets and jumped fences and houses until I hit a dead end; I couldn't go further.

  I turned around and faced them.

  I was shaking; I know I've faced death on several occasions, but this one was different; I knew I was going to die.

  "Who sent you?" I asked, at least let me know who my killer is so if I die, I could come as a ghost and haunt him.

  "Riccardo", one of them said.

  Sounds familiar; okay, that's better.

  "You're coming with us", another said and charged towards me.

  "Don't touch her", an American accent said behind them.

  They turned around, saw the figure, and bowed.

  "Sir we were asked to get her", another said.

  "Let her go ", he said again.

  They nodded and then disappeared into the night.

  He came into view, it was that man from the club minutes ago.

  "Women aren't supposed to be walking on the streets by the devil's hour, especially women who are wanted ", he said.

  "I..I..I.." I stuttered, not knowing what to say.

  "Go home Madiaah, it's late", he said and turned around to leave.

  "Wait...you..you know my name?" I asked, shocked.

  I thought he just moved into town.

  I could have thought he was one of Dad's enemies, but he just saved my life.

  "I know everything about you Madiaah", he said and disappeared into the night.

  What the hell?