Into The Dark by R. Cronin (ebook e reader txt) 📕

I ran with all my life. I didn't know where I was going, let alone did I even care. My lungs felt like they were about to burst and I was still crying. What is wrong with me? Did Zander really say he loved me? I was so confused and alone now. Things are so jumbled up and a mess! I ran through the woods, bushes and tree branches scratching and ripping at my skin. I didn't care, Zander told me to run, so here i am, running. I finally stopped, somewhat leaning up against a tree for support so I didn't fall down. The forest was just as scary, maybe even scarier, than it was the first time I was in it. I was panting like a dog and sweating like crazy. I was a mess, I was still crying and thinking like a lunatic.
I then heard a loud screech that made me jump and start running for my life again. I ran quickly looking back over my shoulder ever so often before i tripped over a tree stump and fell onto my face, ouch. I really must've been losing my mind because I started having a hissy fit. I was thrashing my arms and legs about crying and screaming. After a while I just laid there on my side, curled up in a ball sniffling and wiping the dirt and tears off my face. I guess i ended up falling asleep at some point because I woke up with a green and purple stripped cat licking my face. I screamed and practically threw the cat off of me, crawling to a tree for hopeless protection. Breathing hard I quickly looked behind the tree. I couldn't see the cat so I decided to look around and make sure the cat was gone. I left the protection of the tree and went looking for the cat. I heard noises coming from the bushes in front of me. Damn it, I thought, Please don't let this noise be a man eating monster! I tip toed towards the bushes and quickly moved them, revealing the cat. We both screamed at the same time and I fell back.
I ran back behind the safety of my tree and closed my eyes in fear. I was terrified! I mean, the cat was freaking green and purple for gods sake! "Ok Rae, you can do this," I whispered to myself, "Just find a weapon." I looked around and found another big stick. Seemed to be my weapon of choice i guess. I then jumped out from behind the tree and screamed, "Come out cat! I-I'm not afraid of you!" I didn't hear anything for a while until I heard someone say, "Yea well, I'm afraid of you!" I exhaled. I dropped the stick to my side and looked around again confused. "Who said that?" I asked. Just then the cat slowly walked out from behind a tree. "I-I did," it said. I screamed again and picked up my stick. The cat screamed too and ran behind the tree again. I actually started to feel bad for this strange talking cat. I lowered my stick and said, "I'm sorry. I won't hurt you, I promise." He poked his head out from the tree and I bent down and gestured him forwards. He got out from behind the tree and step by step walked to me.
I stuck my hand out and weakly smiled. "My name is Rae," I said. He stuck out his paw and replied, "Ch-Cheshire Cat." Wow, nice name for a cat, I thought. I nodded at his reply and we just stood there awkwardly for a few minutes before he let out a sigh and scratched his head asking, "Do you need help getting to the Red City?" I looked at him confused. "There's a city here?" He chuckled "Yes we do. Now follow me." The Cheshire Cat then lead me through a series of winding paths until we were at these huge beautiful red gates. "Welcome to the Red City Rae," Cheshire Cat said.

I stood there, starring in complete amazement. It was so beautiful! It reminded me so much of home too back in NYC. With the exception that everything was various colors of red. I spun around once my eyes going wide taking in the breathtaking scene. Everything literally looked like New York City, but there was just uniformed men everywhere, their uniforms the only color out of place besides my clothes. I stood there for what seemed like hours starring everywhere when Cheshire Cat floated up to my face, arms crossed. I jumped back a little as he said "Ok Rae, first things first. I need to tell you about the rules here, you know, the big DO'S and DON'TS!" I nodded at him. "Ok, so you see all the black uniformed men yes? Yes, ok well that's the queens mafia. STAY CLEAR OF THEM, or they'll kill you on spot! Oh, and you NEED to change your clothes, because they are already looking at you funny see?" I looked, he was right. I started getting scared. He frowned, "So either way, stay clear of them and act normal because I'm just going to guess here that the Red Queen already has the QQQ after you hun." I furrowed my brow confused," QQQ?" I asked. "UGH! The Queens MAFIA!!!!!" I nodded again, understanding.
I still stood there, all the memories flooding back of home. Home. Would I ever get there again? My eyes started watering. Don't cry, not here! I thought to myself. The Cheshire Cat got my attention again and I blinked the tears away. Cheshire huffed, "Lets not stay here in this spot much longer Rae, or the QQQ will find interest." He led me through the streets of the Red City, through allyways and over actual fences until we reached this small, run down little brick building. He looked around cautiously before hustling me in and closing the door, locking it. He whipped around smiling wildly. "Ok Rae, now it's time for a little dress up! Just stay here, I'll be right back." He clapped his hands and ran into the back room.
I looked around the room. It looked pretty cozy. Better looking than the outside of the house obviously. There was a small fire blazing in the fireplace and two cute little armchairs near it. Pictures of oddly colored cats hung about, there smiles wicked or beeming. Family maybe? I guess so. There was a small kitchen and a table, fresh bread on it. Oh god, it was calling to me! EAT ME RAE, it said. I couldn't help myself, I scrambled over and ripped a piece of the warm, soft bread and shoved it into my mouth hungrily. A few moments after, Cheshire Cat came out again with someone. My back was turned as he started talking. "Rae this is-" He stopped his words dead in their tracks. "What are you doing Rae?" He asked, confused. I turned around, a mouthful of bread still in my mouth, bits of it protruding from it. I chewed frantically a little and then smiled, blushing.

*Blake*

I walked down the crooked street, walking to meet my dealer. His name was Vaun, the only guy who could get you what you needed fast, and at top notch too. Of course, I was Vaun's best customer, so I got the "discount". I shoved my hands deep into my pockets and leaned against the brick wall, waiting behind the dumpster of the Ink Heart Saloon, our usual meet up spot. Vaun was late, he never was. Obviously I was annoyed, but my annoyance had just a hint of worry. Maybe he was caught, I thought to myself. Damn it, I'm going to fucking wring his neck. I huffed out a cold breath and stood, slowly walking from behind the dumspter, out of the ally, and onto the street again. Fuck this kid, I can wait I guess. I wanted to shoot him. I needed my fix, and had no where to get it now. I walked quickly down the street, feeling paranoid that I was either being followed or watched.
I looked behind me, walking faster. Sure enough, I was being followed by none other than the black uniformed men from all around the city, the Triple Q. "Fuck," I muttered. I needed an escape plan. I looked to each side of me, turning down another ally, this one a winding one leading somewhere else, a block or two away. This was my chance. I broke into a sprint, hearing shouts of the men behind me telling me to stop. But I wasn't stopping, it was my only chance of survival now. They either wanted me dead or they wanted to arrest me. Fat chance of that, I thought. I wasn't getting caught. I stopped at the end of the ally and looked around me, looking straight at a scruffy looking house. Lights were on, maybe they could help me.
Without thinking it completely through I dashed for the door, wretching it open and closing it quietly behind me. I looked around in an empty living room and running into the closest room and closing it behind me. My back was to the door, my eyes closed and breathing hard. The room was dimly lit and I looked around me, it looked empty. I raked my fingers through my hair and exhaled a deep breath. Safe? I thought. For now maybe. I didn't realise I wasn't alone until I turned around, bumping right into someone, a girl actually, and a pretty beautiful one at that.


* Rae *

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