How About Seven? ✔

12. Strength Of A Thousand Men

Cue heavy mental sigh. Of course it was his house. Of course. I don't even know why I bother being surprised anymore. I mean, it's only natural, that out of the nearly 1500 people that live within a 6-mile radius of the school, he has to be the one that was related to my mission in some way -

I stiffened, a thought suddenly popping into my head.

The man just now might not have been Storeroom Stalker, but -

His son?

Young.

Tall.

Studies at Pambrooke.

One could almost hear Roxy's voice speaking in my head. I think you just found out the reason why he approached you, hon.

His voice grew even more impatient behind me. "Hey. I need to enter my house."

I couldn't let him see my face. I nodded once, and began to walk away. Unfortunately, a breeze chose that moment to pick up, and the form that 46 had just filled flew out of my grasp and drifted to a light stop on the pavement.

Behind, I heard him pick it up. Dagnabit.

"You're from Pambrooke." It was a statement. "What's this for?"

I cleared my throat, and put on a higher-pitched voice. "Just a school survey sir."

"A school survey?" He scoffed. "Common career choices. What kind of survey is this? And you don't even have the headmistress' signature on the bottom of the page. This isn't legit."

Huh. I had a feeling I was missing something.

"What are you really doing? Trying to steal people's personal details? Part of an identity theft syndicate?"

Asking so many questions, is it because you have a secret to hide? "Can I have the form back please?" I said instead.

His tone hardened. "Not until you tell me what it's for." I heard his footsteps neared and knew what he was going to do before he did it. "And turn around when I talk to you - "

He placed a hand on my shoulder and I reacted by instinct. Grabbing his hand I twisted it outwards and upwards, so his body had to face away from me to minimize the hurt. He let out a grunt of surprise and pain. With my free hand I snatched the form out of his hand and let him go, immediately turning my face back to the front again.

Whereupon I immediately took off running.

"What the hell - come back here!"

I ran as fast as I could. I dodged into alleys and sprinted down the streets. Behind I fancied I heard the sound of a motorbike starting up. Perfect. I neared the guard house and forced myself to slow down. Putting on my best smile I walked past the security guard and wished him a cheerful good day. The second I was out of the neighborhood and out of sight I took off like a shot.

I ran out to the main streets, my eyes searching wildly for a passing cab or a taxi stand. I couldn't risk being seen. When I came to 46 I had been prepared for the risk of Storeroom Stalker knowing that now, I know who he was. But since the risk was now avoided, I wished to continue avoiding it.

Where is the Weasleys' flying car when you need one -

There was a loud long honk and a sudden glare of headlights at the corner of my vision. I turned and managed to catch a glimpse of a big truck speeding my way, closing, six feet, no time to avoid it, four feet, I'm going to get hit, three feet -