Chased By Nikolas Ardolf (Sample Only / Published Book)

Chapter Two

Don’t worry about me, Brooks. I’m fine. Will be back in a while. You won’t find me at college too.

Brooklyn read and re-read the message again and again. It was scribbled in Brandon’s handwriting. She wondered where exactly he was and how long he would be away. It should be an emergency because Brandon never missed his evening college. Brooklyn sighed and walked out of his room. It was getting late and she was sleepy. 

The next morning, she quickly freshened up and warmed last night’s leftover dinner and ate it for breakfast. She packed some in a container to eat at lunchtime. Thankfully, her stalker had sent a lot and she didn’t have to worry about tonight’s dinner. It would be sufficient. Feeling happy, Brooklyn walked to her workplace. In her haste, she had completely forgotten to take the longer route. It was only when she was about to reach did she realize what she had done. She hurried the rest of the way and reached her restaurant safely, heaving a sigh of relief. However, her relief was short-lived as a few minutes later, she saw the bald man who had harassed her that night, just outside her restaurant. Had he followed her here? Brooklyn had no idea. She just prayed to God that he wouldn’t come inside.

“What’s wrong, Brooks?” asked Mia, seeing her pale face and wide eyes. 

“That man outside was the one who had harassed me that night,” said Brooklyn in a trembling voice. Mia looked at the man and frowned. 

“We’ll drop you home tonight. You don’t have to go home alone,” she comforted her. Brooklyn nodded. She was too scared to argue. With him outside, she had no wish to walk down again. The whole day went by and strangely, her hot stalker didn’t visit her even once. Brooklyn was relieved that he hadn’t. After work, Seth and Mia dropped her home. 
Brooklyn was just about to unlock her door when she saw the notice on her door.

Evicted. You have 24 hours to vacate the apartment.

The blood drained from her face. This was the worst thing that could happen to her. Where would she go now? She knew that she hadn’t been able to pay her rent for two months but  Mr. Greene, her landlord, could have given her a month’s warning at least. She felt like crying and ending her wretched life. Rushing upstairs to Mr. Greene's apartment, she rang the doorbell and waited. She would request him to give her a little time. She would plead with him not to throw her out on the streets. After a few minutes, her old landlord opened the door and gave her a displeased look. 

“There’s nothing I can do about it,  Brooklyn. Just pack up and leave. You have twenty-four hours,” said Mr. Greene, trying to shut the door on her face. Brooklyn held onto the door, refusing to let him close it.

“Please,  Mr. Greene. I have nowhere to go. Give me a little time. I’ll pay you the money and when  Brandon returns home, I’ll vacate. Please don’t throw me out now,” she pleaded as tears fell from her eyes. Mr. Greene took pity upon her and just peered down the stairs as if to check. He opened his door wider.

“Come inside, Brooklyn,” he said. Brooklyn walked into his apartment. She knew that he lived alone with his differently-abled sister. “Sit down,” he said. Brooklyn sat down and wiped the tears off her eyes.

“Look, this isn’t about the rent. I know that you’re a good girl and you’d pay me sometime later,” said the old man. Brooklyn’s eyes widened with surprise. If this wasn’t about the rent, then why was he evicting her? She had no idea!

“Then why are you evicting me?” she asked with dread.

“I’ve been threatened to do so,” said the old man, his eyes looking anxious and frightened. Brooklyn gaped at him with shock. 

“Who threatened you, Mr. Greene?” she whispered, dreading his answer. 

“The chief of MC Black Devils, Jimmy Black was here after you left for work today. I have no idea how he knows you but he wants you, Brooklyn. He wanted me to evict you tonight. He would come to get you with his gang. If I were you, I’d pack and run for dear life just now,” said the old man. A gasp escaped Brooklyn’s mouth and her head reeled at the information. Who was Jimmy Black? Was it her stalker or was it the bald man? 

“I have no choice, Brooklyn. I wouldn’t want to cross him. I can’t give you any more information since he had warned me not to tell you anything,” said Mr. Greene, looking agitated. Brooklyn slowly got up. She would quickly pack up and escape this place before that man Jimmy Black got to her. 

“Can you do me a favor, Mr. Greene? I wouldn’t be able to take all my stuff with me tonight. Can you keep the ones I leave behind with you? Brandon is away on work. He would come to look for me. Can you hand everything over to him?” pleaded Brooklyn. Mr. Greene nodded.

“I will,” he said. Brooklyn wasted no more time. Thanking him, she rushed to her apartment to pack.

The next one hour, Brooklyn packed her bare essentials in two shabby suitcases. She was so engrossed in packing that she hardly heard the sound of cars skidding to a stop outside the building. Footsteps were heard coming up the staircase. It was only when her doorbell rang did Brooklyn panic. Her whole body froze and she didn’t know what to do. There was only one exit and she had no other way of escaping. The rickety door flew open and her eyes locked with the dark, angry hazel ones of her stalker. Was he Jimmy Black?