Hunted

Chapter 28 - Found

Marinette cried until she had no tears left and pushed herself to the wall of the alley the day was getting busy and there were tons of people walking by. Some of them glanced at her others walked by without even giving her a second look. Some people tossed coins in her direction but she left them alone. 

The day dragged on and soon it was dark. Marinette was cold and hungry and there was no one nearby then she remembered Alya's restaurant. It was nearby and she just needed to get there. 

There was lots of junk in the alley and she scrambled to find something to help her walk. There was a metal pole and she used it to get to her feet. After several tumbles she began the slow walk to the restaurant. It was late and dangerous so she tried to go as fast as she could. 

She got close to the restaurant and then collapsed unable to go any further. It began to rain and Marinette cried. 

"I won't make it and even if I do will they let me in?" She told herself. Then she saw a shady figure snooping around nearby and she picked herself up and kept going. Then the figure pounced on her and she screamed. 

Just as she was about to get robbed a business man who happened to be walking by saw the scene and yelled scaring the thief away. He ran over to Marinette and placed his umbrella above her. 

"Are you okay young lady? It's dangerous out here at night you should be at home." He said. 

"I'm trying to get to the restaurant." She said pointing towards the direction, he seemed to understand. "But I can't and then that man pounced on me and..." She broke down crying and the man helped her up. 

"The restaurant is closed at this time can I take you home?" He asked. 

"No, I don't have one." She said sobbing. He held her up and looked her in the eye. "I can help you to the restaurant, do you need any money?" He asked fishing through his pockets. Marinette shook her head. "Okay hold on, I'm gonna pick you up is that okay?" He said. She nodded and he scooped her up. He walked to the restaurant which was closed as expected and set her down. He began to knock on the door wildly to wake up the owners.

Inside the restaurant, Alya and Nino were in bed and Marlena and her husband Otis were asleep too. Marlena was a light sleeper and heard a pounding from the front of her restaurant. 

She pulled out a gun she kept for emergencies and crept to the front door. She pressed her ear against the wall to hear what the person was saying which was muffled through the wall. 

"Open up somebody help!" The man repeated over and over. She immediately recognized the voice of Paul Berkshire one of her nicest customers who came in every morning before work. She pocketed the gun and ran to the door. She opened it and he stopped pounding. 

"Mr. Berkshire what on earth are you doing here so late?" She asked. 

"I'm sorry for bothering you so late this girl was trying to get to your restaurant, and she is all by herself and seems to be injured badly. I saved her from getting robbed earlier. Do you know her?" He said helping her to her feet. Marlena looked at Marinette's face and couldn't place where she had seen her before. 

"You look so familiar sweetie, but could you remind me your name?" She asked. 

"Marinette. I'm friends with Alya." She choked out. Marlena's eyes widened with remembrance. 

"Oh yes I remember Alya talks about you all the time. Let's get you inside." Mr. Berkshire helped her in, and they walked up to the apartment. 

"I've never been up here before. Sorry for intruding." He said.