Target Practice: Chapter One

Chapter 1

Always Watching.

He's still there. Parked in the exact same spot on the same side of the street, in the same clothes: black suit and tie. I knew he was there, he must be watching me... actually no... I knew he was watching me. He's been there for three days. I barely sleep with him out there. At least, I think it's a him.

I live in a flat on my own. I suppose you could say it's quite modern really. It has black and cream painted walls and black furniture. I love my colours though, so almost every wall has paintings on, vibrant paintings, full of some crazy bright and bold colours. They made my blank canvas of a flat, colourful and that's exactly what I wanted them to do.

Art inspires me but it's clubbing and partying that seems to really feed my soul. My friends think I'm wild but I am twenty three, I should be having fun. My flat has four rooms: the kitchen, living room, bedroom and en suite. My living room is the best room for relaxing in, with a DVD cabinet with a flat screen TV on and a big sofa with a micro fleece throw. Other than a TV, a coffee table and a sofa, it doesn't really have much else in it.

I stare out the corner of my living room window, curled up on my black swede sofa.

Still there.

Maybe it's just a coincidence.

I jump as my mobile phone rings, my ring tone squealing next to my ear on the windowsill. I grab it and press it to my ear, taking a sip of my morning smoothie.

"Hey babe!" Elsey - my best friend.

"Hi, El'," I smile, taking another sip of my freezing cold pineapple and mango smoothie.

Elsey has been my friend since we studied art together at college. She's a nutter. I'm wild but not even close to being as crazy as she is. She has shining ginger hair and the deepest green eyes. She didn't follow an arty path like I did. She works at The Ol' Widow pub for cash towards her band, plus she gets to gig there for free at the weekends. I've written most of the songs for her band The Resurectionists. Art and Writing is my forte. I love it.

"We're still on for tonight aren't we?" I ask quickly, craving a vodka and orange on the rocks. I place my smoothie on my oak coffee table and continue staring out my living room window at the Mercedes with my little suited and booted stalker in.

"Of course! Duh... " she giggles. Her giggle isn't normal. It starts out fine and then starts wavering in tone, from high pitched to a tone only a dog could here.

I grin to myself and roll my eyes. Turning back to my smoothie, I take another sip.

"Hey, Sky?" El' lowers her voice, her excitement seeming to fade.

I frown with worry, "Yeah?"

"Is that freaky guy still outside your house?" She whispers.

I sigh, forcing myself not to look out my window. Say he was innocent... who the hell would live in a car for three whole days and not change or move? Oh my god... what if he's dead? I gasp out loud at the thought. I never thought of that before.

"Skyla? Are you okay? Sky...?"

I jump up from off my sofa and stare properly out of my window. The stalker's body motionless, his head heavy. Shit!

"Skyla! What the hell is going on? Answer me!" She squeals.

"I think he might be dead... " I breathe, "Is that possible, for a man to park in front of a complete stranger's house to die? I-I... should I do something? I mean, what if the police find him and arrest me? I-"

"Skyla-Rose Lawpson," Elsey's voice can never sound serious but at this moment in time, it is definitely close to it, "There is no way he can be dead. Asleep? Sure! But dead? Never."

I shake my head, "I'm really not so sure... "

I take a huge gulp of my smoothie and squint as my throat goes numb with the coldness of it. Staring blankly out the glass of my living room bay window, I purse my lips with indecision. Go and tap on my stalker's car window or wait and watch to see if he gets found by someone else?

"I got to go, my boss is ringing me," El' huffs, "Ciao."

"Auf Wiedersehen," I nod and end the call.

I chuck my mobile on the sofa and walk in to my hallway, sipping my smoothie thoughtfully. Starting to pace the small space between my hallway walls, I glance at my black door. I should probably check the strange man or woman out, it'd be sensible right? It's not like I'm going to talk to him or anything, just poke his windscreen or knock on his car door. No harm in it.

I walk in to my square kitchen and grab a straw out my cutlery drawer. My kitchen is a little diddy but it's the perfect size for me. Petite and only suitable for one... perfect with a capital 'P'. I don't really do boyfriends, they aren't my goal in life like most girls. Date, weigh your finger down with a ring, get married, have babies... I don't know.

I love my lifestyle. Partying whenever I want and hey, I bring the odd guy back... just for the night. Nothing serious, just how I like it. My world just doesn't tolerate seriousness that well.

My straw sinks slowly in to my smoothie as I walk back in to the hallway. I trot in to my living room and push through the door next to my sofa, almost tripping over my black jeans and underwear from the other night. Okay, maybe I have guys back to my place a lot more than I let on.

I love my flat even if I don't keep my bedroom that tidy. Staring at the bedroom before me, it's shameful to think it's really mine.

I walk over to my full length mirror and stare at my reflection. My honey coloured hair flows down my back like a muddy river. It's natural soft wave crinkling the ends. I sigh at my panda eyes, black with running mascara and eyeliner where I forgot to clean them before I went to bed. Grabbing a wipe from my bedside table I wipe my whole face until it's clear. My blue eyes brighter and no longer overshadowed by dark rings of make up.

I grab a pair of black jeans off of the end of my double bed and pull them up my bare legs. Pulling my baggy 'morning hoodie' off, I replace it with a black vest top.

Swallowing the dead taste in my mouth, I go in to the en suite to brush my teeth before walking back in to my bedroom to stare at my reflection once more. I nod with satisfaction. Much better.

Now to investigate the possibility of a dead body. Oh god, but what if he is really dead? ...And smelly? Dead bodies smell; not that I've ever smelt one before.

Right.

I walk confidently back through my living room in to my hallway, slipping a pair of flats on. I eye up the door handle before pulling on it firmly. A harsh icy breeze sends a shiver up my spine as I step outside the door. I leave the door ajar, as I walk down my front garden's path.

The green grass either side of my narrow concrete path, frosted with the cold. At least the three inch icicles have defrosted from above my door though. They almost killed me yesterday when I put the papers in the recycle bin.

Stepping on to the silent road, I quickly walk over to the car. I glance at the row of houses behind and in front of me, checking to see if anyone is watching. Most of the people around here are older than me and probably work.

A man, in his mid-thirties lays motionless in the driver's side of the Mercedes. His loose bottom jaw hangs revealing a single gold canine amongst pure white teeth. He must have some money if he can afford that. I press my face against the glass, blocking out any reflections with my hands, and stare at his chest to see if he's breathing.

Still. No rhythm. No movement.

I bite my lip. What do I do now? He is actually dead. How did he die? There isn't a scratch on him, nor a visible bottle of drink in his car. Maybe it was drugs? Oh god knows... but he is dead.

Looking around me, the only other car on the road is at least ten meters away. I step in front of the car and lean against the bonnet, staring harder at the man's face. Raising my hand, I tap my knuckles against the windscreen.

I pull my hand back immediately as I hear the engine roar to life.

"Shit!" I jump backwards.

The man's eyes wide open behind his shades.

Shit! He's alive.

He bares a dark smirk and places both hands on the Mercedes steering wheel.

I stare at him, confused. Okay, he's alive! That's... That's...

"What the hell!" I scream as the car jolts forwards suddenly. The Mercedes stalls but he restarts the engine, this time reversing. I step backwards cautiously.

"Are you alright? Do you need me to call someone?" I ask, worriedly.

The car roars suddenly towards me, skidding wheels marking the road.

"Ahh! No, no, you're going the wrong way! You're going to bloody run me over!" I scream, my knees trembling.

I run towards my house as the car continues to speed towards me. I stop in my garden, closing my garden gate and watch in disbelief as the car swerves towards me.

I scream, closing my eyes tight. My scream high and loud echoes in my ears. Silence fills the air around me, the car engine no longer sounding the street.

I open my eyes to an empty road. Emptiness and silence. The Mercedes nowhere to be seen. I catch my breath, feeling my heart beat furiously in my chest. What the hell just happened? Did I really just live that?

"Miss Lawpson, are you okay?" I jump at the sound of my name and turn to my neighbor.

"Mr Harold... " I bite my lip, my eyes still wide from shock, I stare at my seventy-something year old neighbour with his waistcoat and day suit neatly ironed.

"... I'm fine." I nod.

"You sure? What made you scream?" He raises an eyebrow, pointing his stick at me, his white hair shining in the soft glow of the sun, reflecting on his glasses.

"I thought I saw... a rat or-or something," I shrug at him, turning towards my front door, "Have a nice day at the Centre, Mr Harold."

I wave behind me and open my door, slamming it shut after me. I swallow before plodding in to my living room and collapsing on my sofa.

Why would anyone try to run me over?

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

I stop outside the hotel-like club, raving music blaring out of its doors, illuminating the street amongst the darkness. I look down all of the cars parked along the high street, checking for any Mercedes. Nope, plenty of Mini Coppers and KAs but no silver Mercedes.

I swallow. I can't wait to drown today with alcohol. I can't believe a guy I tried to save tried to kill me. Maybe he was just a nutcase, maybe I was just an anonymous person that happened to be in the way and not a target. Who would want to kill me anyway?

The shops along the street all closed and silent, metal shutters drawn; The Club the only thing alive and alight with presence. It's tall structure and balconies on each floor filled with people, with drinks in their hands. Laughter and loud music all that sounds along the dead street.

"Skyla!" I turn around quick and grin as Elsey waves frantically to gain my attention behind me. I run up to her, hugging her skinny figure against mine tightly. Her gorgeous ginger hair all pinned up in a sexy up do. I admire her, impressed. Her figure tightly shaped in to perfection with a purple body form dress. Jimmy choos beautifying her feet.

"You look beautiful!" I burst, kissing my best friend on the cheek.

"I ain't got nothing on you babe," she stares down at my leather skater dress with diamante skull belt, Iron Fist wedges on my feet. My bare legs covered in goose bumps.

I shrug with a giggle, "No, you good."

I glance in to the club entrance, people dancing wildly inside, lights of all colours flashing all over the walls. The drinks must be rolling.

Two bouncers confront us as we stop in the doorway.

"ID, please," The tall, heavy bouncer with a shaved head and stern stare turns to me.

I slip my ID from behind my belt buckle and grin excitedly as he waves me through. Elsey grabs my hand and pulls me through the dancing crowd to the bar.

Elsey raises her hand at the barman; a tall older man in his forties rushes over to take her order.

"Two Vodka Oranges on the rocks," Elsey grins at me as I lean against the long counter. The club is loud, huge and always crowded. It is three tiers high with two different bars on each level. I stare at all the people dancing, most of them young and having fun.

My eyes fall on a couple rubbing themselves up each other by the entrance of the club. The man must be at least late thirties; the girl only mid-twenties. She grins, baring bright teeth in her mini-skirt and crop top while he holds her body against his delicately. A huge Diamond ring on her engagement ring finger. Her purple hair flicking everywhere as she dances franticly around him. She's pretty and way too skinny, her ribs sticking out from her skin. He never lets his eyes leave her, admiring every curve and every perfection. They look so in love, so happily made to be.

"Skyla..."

I wonder if she's actually engaged to him because she loves him or whether it's just for money? There's got to be some sort of fault in happy relationships, there always is.

"Skyla!" I jump as Elsey punches me in the arm, snapping me back to the loud atmosphere of the club.

"Ouch, El' that hurt!" I rub the bare skin on the top of my arm, staring at her innocent pixie face.

"Oh, you baby," she giggles, handing me a tall glass of Vodka and Orange, "who you stalking anyway?"

The flashing lights reflect off our tall glasses as we lean against the bar watching everyone dance to the thudding club music. The room's walls are long and seem never-ending, a pair of spiral staircases either end of the room leading up to the second floor.

"Shall, we go up?" Elsey shouts against the loud music.

I nod and follow her to the nearest staircase, we weave amongst the crowd to get there.

"Hey, beautiful want to dance?" A tall man with long features steps in front of me, looking me up and down, licking his lips.

"Nice try but I've got someone waiting for me," I shrug, shaking my head, trying not to pull a face of total disgust. I push past him and carry on towards the stairs.

Elsey waiting for me at the bottom.

"Who was that hunk?" She nudges me excitedly.

"Hunk?" I look over at him again, his droopy features make him look half asleep, "Really, El'?"

I brush my long hair off of my shoulder and start walking up the shining black stairs. Elsey following me. She shrugs, obviously thinking to herself. She has men on the brain. She's got a little boy named Herbie from a past relationship. He's almost three now. He's the cutest and most polite little guy ever and looks just like Elsey.

Herbie's dad, Elliot, left Elsey when she was six months pregnant. It was a miracle they lasted a year, the amount of arguments they had. He definitely did not want the baby but she couldn't stand the thought of getting rid of it. He soon changed his mind when Herbs was born but as Herbie's godmother and unofficial Aunty Sky, I'm so glad Elliot has finished with El'. He still gets to see Herbie once a week but, I don't know... to not want a child and then glory in having one. That's what I call an attention seeking moron.

I step in to the big black-walled room, white silk canopies line the ceiling, sofas and suited rich men everywhere. The sofa's hide in little walk-in open rooms, moulded in the walls for privacy. The music changes from Will.I.Am to Ellie Goulding. A live band on a stage in the Centre of the room with a tall girl singing 'How long will I love you'. I sigh, the atmosphere is so much more relaxing up here than downstairs.

I sip my vodka and orange and pull Elsey to a spare white leather sofa by the bar. This room is the black and white room, a place for relaxation. Most girls come up here to meet guys though. God knows why but all the men with money come here. Posh hot rich guys looking for reliable one night stands. Elsey falls for them every time and then wonders why they never ring her again.

The top floor, is a themed floor, with caged dancers and poker one end and a mirror maze the other. "Ladies!" Elsey and I turn to a suited man with shades, "may I sit down?"

"Sure," I shrug, turning back to my vodka and orange. He parts Elsey and I and sits between us. I let out a sigh as he lays an arm around my shoulders, doing the same to Elsey.

"What do you want?" I raise an eyebrow, staring in to eyes impossible to see, through such dark shades.

"I came to tell you that anyone who completes the mirror maze tonight wins five free drinks at the bar, thought you girls might be interested," he strokes my neck with his fingers.

I pull away, "sure. Come on El'."

I huff, pulling Elsey up off of the sofa and towards the staircase in the corner of the room.

"Hey!" Elsey laughs, "why'd you do that? He just wanted to chat."

"Chat El'? He wanted more than that."

She lets out a giggle and rolls her eyes. I guide her up the last step of the stairs and stop to look around the long room before us. Men sit around poker wheels, placing bets and smoking cigars, while girls hang in large bird cages from the ceiling. I bite my lip as the reflection of the mirrored room further down reflects the multi-coloured disco lights. A shining silver dance floor finds itself positioned in front of the poker tables next to the mirror maze. The mirror maze must be huge, considering how much space it's taking up.

"I don't want to go in there," Elsey smirks nervously, shaking her head. I grin mischievously.

"Why, you scared?" I ask her mockingly, "It's just mirrors."

I walk with Elsey towards the dance floor's small bar, downing the last of my vodka and orange and placing my empty glass on the counter, sitting myself on a pedestal chair; Elsey sitting next to me.

"Why do all the guys here wear suits?" I look over all the men sitting at tables and dancing, all wearing black suits. I feel my heart flutter. The guy who tried to kill me wore a suit... he could be here I wouldn't even be able to tell. I swallow, catching my breath, I turn to the barman.

"Can you bring us two vodka shots please?" Pulling a pouch of money from behind my belt, and handing him the money over. He takes it and grabs two shot glasses from a cupboard and starts pouring vodka in to them.

"You okay, Sky? You seem really tense tonight..."

I turn to Elsey and smile, "I'm fine, I just had a hectic morning."

I turn back to the barman as he places the two shots on the bar, I grab my one and slide Elsey the other one across. I down it, pulling a face. I take a deep breath in, inhaling the smell of the alcohol, letting it burn my throat.

"You sure?" Elsey frowns at me.

"Yeah... Positive." I smile, giving her a wink.

"Another round please," I tell the barman.

He nods and refills our shot glasses. Elsey and I down them at the same time, giggling to ourselves.

"Tall stranger coming your way... " Elsey nudges me quickly, looking over my shoulder.

I decide not to turn around. It could be anyone after all. I just order a glass of pure orange juice.

"I'll get that," my hand with money in is softly pushed aside, my orange juice being paid for. I look up and find my agitated frown softening. Deep green eyes meet mine. A guy a little older than me, with smooth features and short styled brown hair, sits on the seat beside me.

I look over at Elsey with disbelief. Elsey's mouth hangs open, her eyes droopy, dreamily mesmerized. I take my cold orange juice from the barman and nod my thanks.

"Thank you," I glance at the stranger.

How did I not spot him out? His silky white suit pretty hard to miss especially considering every other guy is wearing black. I sip my drink, feeling my cheeks redden.

"You're welcome." I see him smile out the corner of my eye. I turn back to Elsey and elbow her as hard as I can, her mouth finally closing and her eyes wide with realisation. I give her an embarrassed frown, my lips curving at one side.

The music changes to a jazzy slow song.

"Would you like to dance?"

I turn to him and stare in to his fascinating eyes.

"Sure," I shrug.

Why not? I slide off of my chair and wait for him to stand. He lets a hand slide round my back and pulls me close as we walk on the the dance floor. Four other couples surrounding us. I let my hands lay either side of his neck cautiously, my cheeks blushing red again as he lays one of his hands on top of mine, his skin so warm against my cold fingers.

Why the hell am I acting like this? I never blush in front of guys. I never hesitate. I never ever do this. Other guys I've had, we've always hung out all night and then I just kick them out my flat in the morning. They're not really interested.

I take a deep breath in, inhaling his sweet masculine scent. I find myself holding my breath trying to keep his scent in my lungs, closing my eyes to concentrate.

"Do I know you?" I look up at him, his chin the same level as my eyes.

He curves the side of his lips, looking at me intriguingly.

"No, I don't think so." He smiles, starting to move with me to the music.

His breath warm and minty caresses my nose, softly. I look down at myself, before looking back up at him.

"I'm Bradley, what's your name?" He whispers, studying my gaze as if analyzing my every feature.

"Skyla-Rose," I whisper back.

"Well, Skyla-Rose, what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?" His Intrigued expression never faltering.

A girl like me? In a place like this? I agree this club might not be the type of place you'd find some honey-colour-haired singleton who never wants a normal committed relationship... but it's wear Elsey and I have always come.

"A girl like me?" I raise an eyebrow.

He grins, pausing for a moment, looking away from my gaze before looking back.

"Young, mysterious, beautiful..."

I look away from him, glancing at Elsey blankly as she watches us with admiration, a flirtatious look on her face. I hate the word young, I'm twenty three for gods sake. Mysterious? Maybe. Beautiful...? Hmm, I'm warming to it.

"Maybe I come to meet other young, mysterious people," I shrug, not meeting his searching eyes.

I feel relief come over me as the music slows. It must almost be finished, right?

"Well, Miss Lawpson, I've never seen anyone quite like you."

My head pings up to meet his eyes urgently. I never told him my last name.

My heart rate quickens as I stare at him.

The song comes to an end and I pull softly away from him, diverting my gaze back to Elsey. I walk towards her and grab her hand, leading her away from the bar and towards the mirror maze. I run my free hand through my hair. Who the hell is this guy?

"What's wrong?" Elsey hisses, worriedly.

"I didn't tell him my last name. He knew my last name." I panic, trying to steady my breathing.

Elsey looks over her shoulder.

"He's not following, he's just sat at the bar looking at us," she shrugs, trying to reassure me, "are you sure you didn't tell him?"

We both stop at the entrance of the maze, where a guard stands.

"Positive." I nod, glancing over at him. His stare soft and curious.

Elsey and I both go to step cautiously in to the maze but the guard pulls Elsey back.

"One at a time," he protests.

I freeze, not wanting to leave Elsey on her own.

"Go ahead, Sky, I didn't really want to do it anyway." She grins, shyly.

"Are you sure?" I frown and Elsey nods encouragingly.

I smile at her before turning back round, a short alleyway of mirrors confronting me. I stare at my reflections, my chest rising and falling quicker than usual. I turn a corner, disappearing from Elsey's view.

"God, I need to calm down," I whisper to myself. Placing a hand on my chest, my heart pounding under my skin.

I take a deep breath in and sigh.

Right.

Now, how do I get out of here? I step carefully along the spotlights in the floor.

I walk in to a large space, the walls reflecting eight of me. I jump, letting out a gasp as I hear a loud thud behind me. I turn around to see myself, in a mirror. I look up: more mirrors. I swallow. Probably nothing.

I spin on the spot slowly, trying to find an exit. I frown, there's no opening... but I just came from one-

I let out a scream, a man's reflection appears in one of the mirrors before me. I spin around again quickly finding no one else is in the room. I run my hands along all the mirrors, panicking.

I'm trapped.

"Help!" I scream. Suddenly all the lights go out. Silence filling the space around me. My breathing the only sound. My pulse thudding behind my ears.

I fall backwards, pressing my body against the cold full-length mirrors.

"You're in trouble."

I gasp, my breathing quickening. There's someone here. There's someone-

"You're in trouble."

"No... No!" I shout out, nervous tears pricking my eyes.

"You're in trouble."

A sob traps itself in my throat as I press myself harder against the mirror I'm leaning on. Black darkness all I can see.

"You've took something from me..."

It's a man's voice, one I've never heard before. I stay silent.

"And now you have no more time left to give it back..."

The lights flash back on. Another scream finds it's way out of my mouth as the mirrors before me hold a familiar figure's reflection.

The man that tried to run me over...

"Leave me alone! I haven't done anything wrong!" I cry out, my cheeks damp with petrified tears. The man, looks up at me with evil eyes, a scar covering the underneath of his right eye.

"No time." He grins, baring his gold canine. I shake my head slowly, desperately, as a long dagger finds it's way in to his hand from his pocket.

Suddenly the mirror behind me shatters, making me scream out again. My arms trembling with anxiety. Then like dominoes, the rest of the mirrors shatter. One by One. The man's reflection shattering in to pieces.

"You're in trouble."

"You're in trouble."

The lights begin to flicker again. He's going to kill me. He is, going to KILL me!

"You're in trouble."

"NO!" I scream as loud and as high pitched as I can, "Help! Someone help me! Elsey! Help!"

Suddenly the lights go off, his chanting voice persistent.

"You're in trouble."

"You're in trouble."

Suddenly I'm pushed to the floor by a hard blow to my shoulder. I scream as sharp mirror shards dig in to my back, dampening my skin with blood. A shard going straight through my left knee.

"You're in Trouble."

"You're in trouble."

"You're dead."

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And there it is! The first chapter of Target Practice! I hope this chapter doesn't bore you too much. Any views, feedback, advice, ect is more than welcome.

Please comment, vote and carry on reading if you like it! Thanks!!!