Running from Death

Chapter 1: Introduction

Losing breath, a shadow-like figure creates twists and turns while running down an alleyway. Footsteps are heard behind them catching up quickly. The shadow-like figure reaches a dead end then disappears into thin air.

Somewhere else unknown

A figure appears out of nowhere huffing and puffing for air as they fall. A voice calls out:

???: “Who are you and what do you want?”

The voice comes from a middle-aged looking man. He had long brown hair and dead looking hazel eyes. He speakers again:

???: “I said who are you and what do you want? I will not repeat this again.”

The shadow-like figure waits a moment then speaks:

Rouge: “Call me Rouge and I accidentally teleported here while I was running from the ‘cleaners’.”

The man then said:

???: “Well Rouge, welcome to the bar where people like us hide from the cleaners.”

Rouge: “How do you know what I am?”

Rouge says with much anger. The man spoke once more without much thought:

???: “Anyone who runs from the cleaners is like us. So welcome kid, the name is Vander.”

Rouge: “I'm not a kid. I am 19.”

Vander: “Well you are one to me.”

Awkward silence fills the air, that was until Vander spoke.

Vander: “So kid, which mark do you have? After all, you have to at least have one for the cleaners to be after you.”

Rouge thought for a moment trying to decide whether to tell the truth or not. In the end the truth was told.

Rouge: “I have all three marks, that's why they were/are after me.”

Vander was surprised. Having more than one mark was already rare but having all three was nearly impossible.

Vander: “Well that explains it. No wonder you were being chased.”

Rouge, who was exhausted at this point, went over to a bar stool and sat down.

Vander: “Well kid, there are others but we shall introduce them properly later. First go to Sam over there and get your cuts wrapped up.”

That was when Rouge realized the stinging sensation all over their arms from cuts that ran deep. With a huff Rouge went to where Vander pointed to, to meet this Sam and get their cuts bandaged. Once Rouge got there they were met with a man with long green hair tied into a braid. He was sitting on a couch in what seemed to be a lounge while reading a book. Rouge walked over to him and stood in front of him. By the time the man noticed Rouge, Rouge was annoyed. The man put his book down and raised an eyebrow. He wasn't shocked at all, weirdly enough. He just looked amused.

???: “So you are?”

Rouge: “My name is Rouge. If you couldn't already tell, I'm new here and Vander said to visit Sam. Which I assume would be you.”

Sam: “You would be correct and based on the blood from those cuts of yours I would like to assume that's what you're here for.”

Rouge: “Correct.”

Sam: “Fine, I'll patch you up but in turn during that time I get to talk the whole time. After all, I don't like silence.”

Rouge: “Deal.”

They both shook hands and then Sam left. During the time Sam was gone, Rouge fidgeted in their seat. Their cuts started to burn and they felt the need to scratch them. Luckily, before they could Sam came back with a med kit in hand. He sat down on the couch in front of Rouge and took out disinfectant. He rubbed it over Rouge's cuts then he bandaged them up. During this time Rouge sat still but fidgeted once in a while from the burn of the cuts while Sam talked about the book he was reading. You would think Rouge would be annoyed but it was actually quite the opposite. Rouge appreciated the noise. Plus they found it adorable how he rambled on about the book. They listened to Sam's rant about how it was unfair that some lady kidnapped someone in order to fill her heart's desire to have a family.

Soon Rouge's cuts were all bandaged up and Vander called out for Rouge to go to him.