Chapter 10: Chapter 9. Looked Like a Woman on a Mission

BLAKE

Nick and I were huffing and puffing, trying to keep up with Claire’s brisk pace.

The wind was a constant nuisance, whipping our hair into our eyes and obscuring our vision. We both cursed at it more than once.

Claire kept pausing, scanning her surroundings as if she felt someone was tailing her.

Each time she stopped, I’d yank Nick into a nearby alley, holding our breath until she started moving again.

Claire moved with purpose, her long strides unbroken except for her occasional stops to survey the area.

After what felt like the fifteenth corner, a loud ring shattered the tense silence.

Nick and I both jumped, quickly ducking behind the corner. I cautiously peeked out to see Claire on the phone. I couldn’t make out the conversation—she was about ten feet away.

But I could see her face cycling through a range of emotions: confusion, shock, fear, and finally, anger. I’d never seen her express so much in such a short time.

When she ended the call, she seemed too stunned to move.

Nick and I held our breath, afraid she might hear us.

I glanced at Nick, his eyes filled with confusion. I shrugged and turned back, only to see Claire moving faster than I’d ever seen. She tossed her bags behind something and darted down an alley so quickly it was hard to process what had just happened.

It was clear the phone call had rattled her.

Nick started to follow, but I held him back.

“I don’t think we should chase her. We’d never catch up. Did you see how fast she took off?” I asked, my eyes still fixed on the alley she’d disappeared into.

Nick sighed, defeated. Then his face lit up with an idea. “Maybe we can check out her stuff?”

He shrugged and headed towards the bush where she’d tossed her bags.

As much as I wanted to protest, my curiosity got the better of me and I followed him.

Behind the bush, we found her book bag and a ~gym bag?~

Why would she have a gym bag? And why did it look familiar? She’d told me she was giving it to a friend the first time I saw it. So why did she have it again?

Nick seemed to be thinking the same thing as he crouched down and grabbed the gym bag’s strap.

We sat down as Nick slowly unzipped the bag, clearly playing up the drama. I groaned. “Just open it. It’s not like we’re going to find a dead body or anything.”

He shot me a glare. “I was setting the mood,” he grumbled. ~I knew it.~

The bag was a standard black gym bag, with a front zipper and the initials ~C.W.~ and ~W.W.~ on one side.

What did that mean?

Nick pulled out a dark blue sports bra and black boxing shorts. We were both surprised to find them in there.

Digging deeper, we found a cold water bottle, about five hair ties, a brush and a comb, two deodorants, and… a picture frame?

The picture showed a teenage girl and a teenage guy. The girl was definitely Claire.

She had the same light brown hair and dark hazel eyes, the same facial structure and high cheekbones. But she was smiling.

Claire was wrapped in the guy’s strong arms, both of them grinning at the camera. Claire’s eyes sparkled with happiness and joy—emotions I’d never seen her express.

The guy had warm brown eyes and dark brown hair swept back from his forehead, revealing a perfect white smile. They seemed to be in a small forest.

In the background, the sun was just below the horizon. Claire and the guy both looked happy and content.

A pang of jealousy hit me as I saw Claire in the arms of another guy. Why? I had no idea!

Claire looked younger in the picture, maybe 15 or 16. She looked like she was living in a fairy tale, her bright smile and sparkling eyes devoid of the anger and hate I was used to seeing.

“No way...” Nick mumbled. “She actually… looks happy in this picture. And hot.” He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes. ~Trust Nick to ruin the moment.~

A small smile tugged at my lips as I compared the happy Claire in the picture to the angry Claire we knew. “Yeah… she looks really happy. The only question is: Who’s the guy?”

CLAIRE

I was looking for my gym bag to get my clothes when I realized I’d left it behind the bush in the alley.

“Dammit.” I cursed, realizing I had no choice but to retrieve it soon. It was already past five o’clock and getting dark.

I’d made mac & cheese for Nancy and left it on her bedside table, along with a cup of water and two Advils for the headache she’d inevitably have when she woke up.

She was still asleep, and I had some science and math homework to do—those were the only two subjects that had assigned homework before I left school.

I sighed and went into the bathroom. I ran a brush through my slightly knotted hair and looked at my face. My skin was pale, my eyes dull and emotionless.

A few bruises still marred my face, but they were mostly hidden by the foundation I’d applied. I didn’t need people asking questions.

I had another fight tomorrow anyway. It was still Wednesday, and the day was almost over, thankfully. I pulled on my dark blue hoodie over my light striped blue and grey V-neck shirt.

I stepped into my knee-high black boots and pulled up my grey skinny jeans. I found a black and green beanie and put it over my light brown hair.

I wrote a small note for Nancy in case she woke up before I got back.

~Nancy,~

~I know you’re probably scared and worried right now, but don’t be. I just stepped out to grab my stuff and I’ll be right back.~

~

~Feel free to ask me anything you want to know, and I’ll answer as honestly as I can when I get back. Take care.~

~

~Claire~

~

I left the note next to her medication and water, then opened the door and stepped outside. And wouldn’t you know it, it was raining! Well, more like a drizzle, but still, it was wet.

I sighed, shoving my hands in my pockets, searching for my phone. I felt a wave of relief when my fingers brushed against the familiar rectangular shape. I quickened my pace, eager to get out of the rain.

I was tired, hungry, and now wet. All I wanted was to grab my stuff, finish my homework, and sleep. But no, Logan and his crew had to show up and ruin everything!

I shook my head, turning a corner and keeping my gaze focused on the path ahead.

I’d have to skip school again tomorrow to train. I could use the old ‘I was sick’ excuse and make up the work later.

I had five fights lined up, and I knew I’d be wiped out if I tried to juggle school on top of that.

When I finally reached the bush where I’d carelessly tossed my stuff, I immediately sensed something was off. I darted behind the bush and looked down.

My bags were there, seemingly untouched. I hadn’t paid attention when I’d thrown them, so I couldn’t be sure if they’d been disturbed or not.

I crouched down and unzipped my bag. Everything was still there, nothing missing. Checking my backpack, I found the same—everything was there and untouched.

I let out a sigh of relief. At least no one had taken my stuff.

I slung both bags over my shoulder and quietly made my way back to Nancy’s house. The rain was coming down harder now, soaking my hair despite the beanie I was wearing.

I didn’t really care though. I was planning on taking a shower when I got back to Nancy’s anyway.

As soon as I closed the door behind me at Nancy’s house, I was enveloped in a tight hug.

“Oh my God! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Why were they after you? Wait, I know: Revenge! They wanted revenge! I told you, Claire! I told you this would happen!”

Nancy went from worried and upset to scolding in record time. It was impressive, really.

I gripped her shoulders, trying to calm her down. She was breathing heavily, her hair a mess from running her hands through it. Her eyes were dull and bloodshot.

“Nancy, please calm down and listen to me,” I began, gesturing for her to take deep breaths.

She nodded and took several deep breaths. After a few minutes, she stopped shaking and I guided her to the couch.

“Did you read the note?” I asked once we were seated.

She nodded, still a bit shaken. I nodded back. “Okay, any questions?” I asked, though I had a pretty good idea of what she was going to ask.

“Who were they and why did that Logan guy say he came back to ‘finish the job’?” Nancy immediately asked, her eyes narrowed.

I looked away, trying to avoid her intense gaze.

I cleared my throat awkwardly. “Well... that was the Deadly Snakes gang. And...” I chuckled nervously, trying to figure out how to phrase this.

“Let’s just say they captured me when I first started boxing and beat me up for three days until I managed to escape.

“They’ve been looking for me ever since and still want to kill me,” I explained as calmly and quickly as I could.

Her eyes narrowed even further as soon as the words left my mouth. “What?” she shrieked, jumping up and pacing the floor.

“You’re telling me, you were kidnapped by those lowlifes and tortured for three days, and they’re still looking for you?” she began.

When I nodded, she stopped pacing and threw her hands up in frustration. “And I’m just hearing about this now, because…?” she demanded.

If I thought Nancy was mad before, she was furious now. I shrugged and looked away from her.

“Because, I knew you’d react like this,” I told her honestly.

“And, I know you worry about me a lot, but what’s done is done. There was nothing you could’ve done to stop it, Nancy, and I know you wouldn’t want me to box anymore,” I said, giving her a sad smile.

Her expression softened a bit at my words. Nancy hated seeing me look sad or defeated. She really was like a mother to me.

She sighed and sat next to me, her hand resting on my shoulder as she pulled me into a side hug.

I smiled and hugged her back, feeling the warmth and comfort of her embrace spread through me, making me smile even wider.

I felt safe in Nancy’s arms. She was like a mother to me, so I treated her like one.

“Okay, I understand. But don’t hide something like that from me again, Claire. You had me worried sick, like any mother would be if they found out their daughter was in danger. And I never worry!” she exclaimed, trying to lighten the mood.

I laughed. It was true, she rarely worried about anything unless it was serious. “I promise,” I mumbled into her shoulder.

She chuckled and pulled back. “Now, here’s the deal: You can keep boxing, but you have to tell me if you’re in any danger at all. And I mean it!” She pointed a finger at me.

I nodded. “Agreed.” I smiled.

She smiled back. “Now, go take a shower and then get some sleep. You stink.” She wrinkled her nose and held it with her thumb and forefinger.

I laughed and agreed before standing up. I did stink, and I really needed a shower.

I’d just stay the night here and go back home tomorrow.

At least that was one less thing to worry about.