Random Short Stories

Courting game

I was at the mall with my boss/ best friend, Cheryl.

"Isn't this nice?" Cheryl picked up a shirt, filled with adorable cartoon characters, and showed it to me.

I smiled. "It is indee-"

Something felt off.

Immediately, I pushed Cheryl aside and fortunately rolled away just in time. "Thunk." I turned around to find a knife embedded in the floor where I just stood moments ago.

I scrambled up and got on guard.

"Cheryl, run away and hide." I hissed.

I turned around to face the assassin.

Pure white hair and a pair of emotionless grey eyes - Niel Graham. Infamous as he was, no one ever caught him. Somewhere deep down i knew I would never win if we were to fight. The only choice I had was to escape.

He hurled another knife towards Cheryl, and I caught it, flinging it back at him.

He dodged and smirked.

I was so glad that there was nearly no one around since it was early morning.

Giving a side glance to make sure Cheryl had ran off, I bolted in the opposite direction.

The guy gave chase.

I ran and ran.

Finally I turned the corner and entered the first shop in my sight. I grabbed a change of clothes, dropped my credit card in the store counter and ran out.

I could hear the pitter patter of hurried footsteps behind as I skidded out of the store. Pressured I accelerated.

When I could hear footsteps no more did I swerve into a nearby toilet to change out. I braided my hair, a style I had never sported on before and prayed that this will be enough of a disguise.

I knew I had to get out of here, but with this being the third level, there was bound to be some complications.

There was an entrance at the second level. If I could just make it to the entrance steps, I would be safe.

Luckily, I was acquainted with someone whose shop faced those stairs.

I sprinted to LaPasta.

"George." I bursted through the door and headed to the staff entrance. "George, can I use your emerency fire escape ladder?"

"It's kinda unhinged on one end. I called for people to repair it but they are only going to arrive tomorrow."

"That's fine."

"Are you sure? It's not safe."

"Yes. I'm out of time. Thanks. I'll come visit you if I survive this."

With that, I opened the window and hopped out, clinging onto the fire escape ladder. With all the strength I could muster, I leaped onto the steps on the second floor.

I turned around to see the assassin running towards me at full speed.

"Fuck." I cursed and sped up.

I headed for Chinatown, there were many roads and alleys there. Maybe it would be safer.

Somehow I found myself mixed up in a group of students on an excursion there.

I pretended to be one of them.

I knew the white hair assassin would not do anything funny in a public place. I read it somewhere, back when I was with the police force.

But whatever he was doing right now already seemed abit too different from his style - he was too loud and had taken very risky moves.

Soon, I could feel a new presence, signalling that he was now here, glancing at the crowd.

I heard footsteps get closer and closer before a cool thin metal touched my neck. "I found you." Came his whisper.

I muttered a curse under my breath and bit his hand, at the expense of my neck.

He let go and I bolted into the forest.

I hopped from tree to tree, it felt like forever.

After some twists and turns and the crossing of a river, I stopped to take a break.

I was deep in the forest by then. He wouldn't find me, probably.

Admist my exhaustion, I soon realised something was missing.

My necklace was gone.

It must have snagged in one of the tree branches.

The necklace was something I held dear.

But right now, I didn't really have the time to rest with this assassin on my tail.

I continued my journey.

I was too tired to run, so I just walked.

With every rustle of the leaves or cracking of branches I jumped.

It didn't feel all that great really.

After a very long time, I made it out of the forest into an unfamiliar street.

There, on the other end of the street was him.

He slowly approached me.

"There's no need to be afraid of me my dear Jacqueline."

I narrowed my eyes and inched away.

"How did you like my courting game?"

I stopped. "Courting game?"

"I figured going the normal way might be way too boring so I came up with a more exciting approach to get your attention."

"Making me run for my life? What kind of twisted game is this?!" I raised my voice. I was pissed.

"I never intended to kill you or your boss at all. It was just all in your head. This is just a simple game of tag. And if I catch you, I'll have you. Easy as that."

I didn't know what to say. I just stood there, blankly staring at him.

"-And now you are mine."

"Why me? How did you learn about my existence?"

"We met at a party last year my dear, don't you remember? Although you probably didn't know it was me since it was a masquerade."

"You... You... The man with the butterfly mask and pure black suit!"

"Yes I was. I'm glad you remember." He gave a smile that I never thought he could pull off - a genuine smile full of happiness.

"Well enough of the sappy things. You are now officially mine to keep."

He walked behind me and something familiar touched my neck.

"My necklace."

"You dropped it when you turned for the fifth time. You are such a pain do you know that?" He chuckled. "But that's why you are interesting."

In that moment, I realised I had lost from the very start. If this man was genuinely after my life, I would stand no chance against him.

I trembled as a chill went up my spine.

"You'll see me again later. Enjoy your sleep."

Upon saying that, he sprayed something to my face.

The next moment, everything turned black.