Hide (Sequel to RUN)

Chapter 9

"I can't eat any more. I'm sorry," I pushed my plate away. "It was delicious, though." The waiter appeared again just as Palika opened his mouth.

"Here's your check," Brett smiled. He placed it in front of Palika. "Oh, and if Ms. Monster shows me her stitches, I'll give you a special discount."

Palika's face fell in a slow sort of horror. I don't really know what mine did, but I managed to get out a soft, "Excuse me?"

"You know, your scars. We all know you have them."

I managed to hold my rage in for a second, maybe shorter.

"A discount for scars? Sure. Come here." Palika tried to speak up, but I silenced him with a glance before motioning to Brett. His face was a mixture between shock and awe.

"I didn't think that would work." As soon he was leaned over within arm length, I punched him. Hard.

He fell sideways to the ground, barely catching himself.

"It didn't," I stated calmly, scooting my chair back softly to stand over him. "I've got a sale for scars going on lately too. They've been lowered to the price of one demeaning comment." Brett got to his knees, holding his cheek.

"And if you order now," I continued, giving him a well-placed kick to the nuts, sending him down again, "you get a free loss of sperm development."

Brett groaned on the ground, not trying to get up again. He was lucky that I didn't start kicking him. Lucky that I could feel a boiling rage on the inside but keep calm on the outside.

Palika sat shocked in his seat.

I turned around quickly, resisting the urge to spit on Brett, and stalked off towards my crotch rocket. My hands were already halfway done with my braid when I heard it.

"It was just a joke, b*tch!" Brett groaned. I froze where I was.

My mind lost control of my body, and my composure broke. My vision grew red. I turned and almost literally flew at Brett.

Something stopped me when he was just within reach, but I fought against it, not really seeing who or what it was.

"You think you're funny?!" I screamed. "You think that what I went through is joke worthy?!" I continued to scream at him, and the force finally let up. I pushed through it, fully intending to leave with my knuckles bloodied.

"Lekia, stop!" the force stopped me again, hanging onto my arms.

"Let go of me!" I freed my hands and continued on.

"Stop!" Palika's face appeared in my red vision. "He's not worth it, Lekia!" The red faded from my vision, but the rage still roiled inside my stomach, making it churn.

I stepped back from Palika, regaining my composure. This time I turned around and didn't turn back as I headed back to my crotch rocket.

"Lekia!" Palika yelled after me. He finally reached me at my bike. My hair was braided and ready to go by the time he turned me around.

"Lekia, it's okay," he tried to calm me down. "I'm sorry. I told him not to pester you about that. He obviously didn't listen. Let me make it up to you."

"I just can't, Palika. Not right now," I fumed. "If I stay near people any longer, I will punch someone." With that final note, I jumped onto my crotch rocket and threw on my helmet. The motorcycle squealed as the tires ground against the asphalt and did a three-sixty in the parking spot.

"Tomorrow!" I yelled before speeding off into the night.

The wind whipped my jacket behind me as the bike reared and sped up. My ride this time was silent, only the roar of the wind and the growl of the rocket greeted me.

I had to go where no one would find me. Give me time to calm down.

And to puke. I really needed to puke.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I turned off my headlights and steered the bike at full speed into the trees by the side of the road. My eyes adjusted quickly, allowing me to dodge the ridge trees and get into the forest.

Without even waiting for the bike to fully stop, I jumped off and ran to the nearest tree. The vomit that came up was thick and from a combination of the food and my anger.

I stumbled away from the vomit a little ways and sat down against the motorcycle. My emotions needed to get in check. I couldn't afford to go off like that on someone again. My vision had only ever gone red like that when I was boxing intently with someone. Usually Dad.

With a sigh, I got up from my spot on the ground and started to strip. I couldn't get my nice clothes dirty.

As soon as I was half naked, I went into my saddle bag and grabbed the extra clothes I kept there. I quickly put my nice clothes into the saddle bag instead and pulled on my extras. Camouflage cargo pants and a dark green shirt. I pulled my braid into a quick bun before slipping my combat boots and wandering off into the woods.