The Unknown

My mouth was dry and my heart beat so hard I thought it would burst from my chest. I could hear the loud footsteps of my pursuers and their cries telling me to stop. Ignoring their voices I sprinted with all the energy left in my body and headed straight for the unknown part of town. Soon, the voices were distant and, quickly turning, I slid into a small, unnoticeable corner and pressed myself to the wall.

I allowed myself to pant, but only softly, for fear of them hearing me. Once I was sure that they weren't nearly, I slid out of the corner cautiously, gun at the ready. I couldn't afford to get caught now. Looking around, I noticed that nightfall was fast approaching and I had no idea where I was.

"If I just retrace my steps..." I thought aloud to myself but realised that earlier on I was too scared to take notice of where I was really going. All I knew was that I was deep inside the unknown part of town and suddenly all the stories of the goons, drug dealers and rapists I had heard so many times popped up inside my head.

"Lost are you?" A voice asked suddenly, making me jump in surprise and point my gun at a boy, who looked a year or two older than me. He grinned at my reaction and looked at my gun mockingly.

"Do you even know how to use that thing?" He asked me.

"I- I can." I stuttered, my voice raspy and dry.

"What was that?" The boy asked, leaning in closer. I took a step back.

"I can. I can use it." I repeated, though my hands were shaking from just the thought of having to use the gun.

"Right," The boy replied, eyeing my shaking hand, seeing clearly through my lie.

"Are you lost?" He then asked.

"No." I replied as confidently as I could.

"You look very lost." He commented.

"Well, I'm not lost," I said. "If you would please mind your own business and leave, I have somewhere I have to be."

I knew that turning around was risky, but I had to get out. I gave the boy one last look before turning around and heading out to where I thought I had come from. It was hard to tell in the dark.

"You're going the wrong way," The boy spoke from behind me in a casual tone. "You came from there." He pointed to the opposite direction,

"Have you been watching me?" I asked demandingly.

"Yes," His reply was blunt. "The police are gone over there," He nodded towards my direction. "So you have the chance to leave now." I narrowed my eyes in a glare.

"I don't trust you." I stated. He shrugged, knowing that I was helpless and had no other choice but to trust him. Sighing, I hesitated before asking for his help.

"Would you please lead me out?" My voice was soft and I sounded embarrassed, but he nodded all the same.

"Follow me." He turned and started walking as I hurriedly followed behind. We walked through dimly lit alleyways and deserted roads, all the while remaining silent. Finally, I spied the bright lights of the town and even noted the small alleyway in which I lived.

"Uh, thanks." I muttered awkwardly to the boy, starting towards home.

"Hey, wait." I halted and turned at hearing the boy's call. He wore a frown on his face.

"I know you're a thief. That's why you were getting chase. So I want a reward." I sighed. Of course, why would he help me without expecting any reward? I opened up the brown bag I had been carrying and rooted through it until I found a packet of crisps. Johnny liked them best but this was to save our lives.

I tossed the pack at him and he grinned, satisfied. Turning around again, I walked home, my gun clutched loosely in my hand. I was just glad that I didn't have to use it tonight.

When I finally entered the small shack we called home, Johnny encircled me with concern on his face.

"What took you so long?" He asked me. "Did the police-"

"No, I got rid of them," I told him, putting down the brown bag on the floor. "I've brough food."

"You stole it..." Johnny whispered, hanging his head in shame.

"If we had another choice I wouldn't have." I sighed. Johnny did too as he opened up the brown bag and started to go through it.

"I just don't want you to go to jail again. It's scary when I'm all on my own." He murmured. I didn't have any reply for him because when I was in jail, all alone, I was scared too.

The next morning I was getting dressed to go out when a thumping noise startled me. Johnny ran up to the tiny window and peeked through.

"It's the police. They're trying to break in." He whispered. I cursed under my breath and grabbed hold of my gun.

"Go Johnny! Get out of here!" I urged him. He looked hesitant, but was sensible enough to listen to me so he snuck out through the back.

I took a deep breath as a loud thump noted me that the police had broken in. I knew I had no chance, but I wasn't going down without a fight.

The first person I saw was the boy from last night.

"Fancy meeting you here." I told him grimly, holding my gun up to his chest. Once again, he grinned at me mockingly as the police came.

"Put down your weapon and put your hands over you head." One of the police officers said, pointing his gun at me. My gun still remained pointed at the boy.

Life was full of decisions; I could either go to jail forever or for awhile. Putting down my gun, I sighed and raised my hands, allowing the police to handcuff me.

One of the officers walked over and picked up the gun I had put down on the floor. Sliding it inside his pocket, he took out a wad of cash and shoved it into the boy's hand.

"Here's your reward, boy." The officer said. I glared at the boy, wondering how I could have been stupid enough to accept his help.

A/N: I wrote this for prose composition for English. I think my dark prose compositions creep out my teacher. She probably thinks I'm some sort of a homicidal maniac...

Btw, the first line wasn't chosen by me. It was the opening line of the composition I chose to do.

Constructive criticism is appreciated.