Hunted by Blood

My legs slowly retreated back as theirs grew closer. The dagger they grasped was raised up, pointed for an attack.

I turned, picking up speed as my legs lashed through the way. "Help...! Please help!" I yelled, hoping someone, just anybody, would come to my aid and save me.

The alley was dark and deserted—nobody was there. I was left replied by my echoing words as I wandered through the alley, running. My eyes darted back as I witnessed them getting closer by the second.

"Catch her, don't let her escape..." they uttered to each other.

My eyes became blurry with tears streaming down as my entire body was consumed by fear.

"Am I going to die? But why? Why are they after me? What could this possibly be..."

I wondered, and then it hit me: 'The Club.'

Could this be their doing? I never expected to be hunted down so quickly. I thought I still had time, a little time to get things done, plan an escape, and lay low for just a while. But it seemed my own hope was left shattered and thrown right in my face.

I stumbled to the ground, getting back up as I kept on running. A fierce swing caught my eye as I watched one of the men spur an attack with the dagger, grazing me at my hand. I tried to restrain the pain, but it was unbearable as I let out a scream, flooded by my cries as I continued running.

I couldn't stop—I just can't die, I can't!

The men persisted in chasing me. My eyes landed on a pathway, and I ran toward it, hiding myself as I leaned against the wall, panting. I tried to manage some soft breaths as they arrived at the side, their eyes scanning each path.

"Where did she go?" I heard one of them utter.

"She just went this way, didn't she?" the other questioned.

I managed to peek, catching sight of them scanning the area. I quickly withdrew my gaze and leaned back.

The area went silent for some moments, which persisted for a while. Slowly, I tried peeping again, and I caught no sight of them anymore.

A slight relief washed over me as my legs gave way, running through the path. I made my way out of the dark alley, entering the streets. That was really close—I had to be careful from now on.

They can't kill me, they just can't!

I moved through the street, managing a fast pace as I walked through some little crowds, finding myself back at our house.

Now, I had to beg him; I had to find a way for him to help me out. I am sure he might prove persistent at first, but I was sure I could manipulate my way through him, even if I would have to suppress my body—No! But there was no other choice left for me.

Walking closer to the apartment, my gaze landed on my uncle, Clarence, resting on his car right in front of my mom's apartment, as though he was waiting for me.

As I turned to leave from his direction, it felt quite late as our eyes met, fixed on each other.

Why was I thinking of running from him anyway? I questioned as I walked up to him.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned him, but all I received was a flickering gaze as he took in the injuries covering my body from trying to escape the men chasing me. I attempted to cover some of the injuries with my clothes.

"Didn't you hear me? Tell me why you're—" I started, my tone rising, but before I could finish, I felt a sudden force on my face. He had slapped me. "How dare you!" I yelled, erupting with rage. Before I knew it, I raised my hand to attack, but it was left frozen in mid-air as I felt another blow, this time causing my legs to stumble. I crumbled to the ground, a strange metallic taste in my mouth. I noticed tiny drops of blood dripping from my bleeding lips.

Before I could even comprehend what was happening, I felt a grasp on my hair as he grabbed me, pushing me against the wall. His grip tightened, and I felt excruciating pain, struggling to gasp for air. "Let me go! Let me go, you bastard!" I stammered, trying to free myself from his grasp, but I was left succumbed to his strength.

It felt like a clash as his fist sank into my stomach, leaving me gushing blood with my insides recoiling from the force. My eyes were slowly blacking out when he finally released his grip, and I crumbled back to the ground.

Gushing blood, I crawled through the dirt stained with my own blood, trying to put some distance between us, away from his reach.

Raising my gaze gently at him, I barely managed to utter, "Why...?"

I watched him bend down, those dark, furious eyes fixed on me. "Just see this as an Uncle teaching his niece some manners. After leaving your silly mother's funeral, I found it hard to shake off the audacity you showed, glaring at me and saying those silly words. What were you thinking?" he asked, placing his hand on my cheek. I tried to fling it off, but my body betrayed me. I was too weak to even move any further.

"But really, look what you made me do to that pretty face of yours," he said with a flick of a smile as he gently stood up. "And oh, we can't let those pretty green eyes get stained now," he mocked as he wiped the blood from my eyes with his finger.

"And yeah, don't act rude like you did today at the funeral. I don't want to teach you another lesson. I can't say how much it hurts me to see you in pain, dear niece. So, just a word of advice: let's settle this long family feud. Your dad is dead, your mom is dead; all that's left is you. So, why don't you end this and come to my mansion like an obedient little girl? I'll show you how things really run, and you won't have to suffer anymore. You have my word on that," he said before entering his car and driving off.

My eyes slowly gave way, everything going blank in an instant. My entire body was numb from the pain, and I felt myself drifting into unconsciousness.