Chapter 3. Go Fish
The computer beeped. Ares was sure it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. That, or possibly the frustrated cussing of the guards as he dove through the gate and swung it shut behind him.
The gate rattled as several guards slammed in to it. He would have loved to stay and gloat, but one of the guards was already scanning his ID, obviously a bit quicker thinking on his feet than the two guards still shaking the fence.
Ares ran.
Daylight was fading, staining the sky a deep red hue. The sidewalk was devoid of people and he was able to make fairly good time. Unfortunately so were the guards behind him. A salty sea breeze whipped at his clothes as though it too were trying to hold him back. He could hear the heavy footsteps as his pursuers gained. He needed to get out of the open.
Turning sharply down an ally, Ares zig zagged between buildings trying, unsuccessfully to lose his followers. Coming to the end of the ally he burst out in to the open.
A wharf. Ares actually stopped, his chest heaving, as a wave of memories washed over him. The shouts of the fishermen to one another inquiring about the day’s catch. The lap of the water against the hull of a ship. The smell of fish and salt water thick in the air. All so familiar.
A cry from behind roused Ares and he took off down the waterfront, pushing away his thoughts. This wasn’t the time for a trip down memory lane.
He could hear the ragged breathing of his pursures as they gained. They were tiring, but so was he. A stitch pulled at his rib as he wove his way between die hard tourists, rough fishermen and bartering customers. At the shouts of the guards, the crowd grew less ready to part, curious of the commotion and he shouldered his way through them.
Spotting a man tying a small speed boat at the end of a dock, Ares sprinted towards him.
...
Unaware of the boy approaching him, the man finished tying the knot and straightened. Head bent, he began to walk back to shore, lightly tossing the keys in his palm. He didn’t even see the boy until the teenager was upon him and he grasped at nothing but empty air as the keys were snatched before they could fall back in to his hand. To surprised to do anything, the man turned and watched dumbly as the boy smoothly untied, started, and began to back the boat out of harbor.
His boat.
At that thought the man broke from his stupor and ran to the end of the dock. It was too late though, the boy was already out of reach. The wind whipped the young man’s ear length black hair away from his face for a moment, and even in the fading light the man could see the teenager’s eyes were bright. The small smile that touched the boy’s lips seemed to carry a dare. However the youth’s gaze was not directed at him and it was only then that the man became conscious of the guard next to him. He watched, wordless, as the guard lifted a gun and took careful aim.
...
Ares threw himself into the boat. Slotting the key in to the ignition, he glanced over his shoulder. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt at the look on the slack jawed owner’s face. He banished that feeling though as he reminded himself he was only borrowing the man’s boat. After he put some distance between himself and the Boys Home, he’d ditch the boat, the police would find it, by then it’s disappearance would have been reported, and it would be returned to it’s rightful owner.
The engine turned over with a purr. Pulling away from the dock, Ares turned the boat’s prow towards the open sea. Hand on the throttle he took one last look back to shore. The guards, huffing and puffing, had finally made it to the end of the dock. One guard shouldered his way out in front of the rest and lifted a gun.
For a long moment Ares held the guard’s gaze and he knew that the guard wasn’t going to pull the trigger. Then Ares made a mistake.
He smiled.
That was all it took. The guard’s face darkened as though a storm cloud had suddenly passed overhead. In agonizing slow motion he watched as the guard pulled the trigger. The gun made a short spatting sound and at first Ares thought the guard had missed.
Feeling a sharp sting on his thigh, he looked down to see a dart in it. Fumbling, he pulled it out as the sensation of pins and needles spread through his leg. Holding the dart close to his face he squinted at it as his vision swarmed and it became inpossible to focse.
His strength seemed to drain from his body and using the last bit of his will power, Ares threw open the throttle.
- on this story. I'm loving how every chapter so far has seemed to end with a cliff-hanger. It's a great way to keep the reader interested and the suspense high.
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