***
Hours after Gavin leaves, I stay in my corner without moving. What did staying low mean? Staying here where I sleep? Going somewhere different so if someone does know my routines, they won’t be able to find me? Only go out at night time? Change my clothing? Cut my hair again? Try to look different? I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. All I do know is that I can’t bring myself to leave. I hate that I feel this way, but I can’t lie. I need Gavin. I like him. I’ll feel sad if I have to leave and can’t ever see him again. The man with the gun will eventually leave and things will go back to normal. Nothing has to change.
My legs start to cramp up late in the afternoon and I stand to stretch them. Feeling beyond bored, I decide a short walk will be fine. I might even be able to score some food.
I walk out of the lot and turn towards the city again. I feel nervous being out on the street in the open, but that man is nowhere in sight.
I turn the next corner and flashing red and blue lights assault my eyes. There are cop cars and an ambulance at the front of the soup kitchen. A fight must have happened. That did occur from time to time. Usually Gavin will tell me what went down a few days later.
I’m about to turn the next corner when a man blocks my path. I nearly crash straight into him.
“Kid?”
I think for a moment ‘it’s Gavin,’ but it ends up being one of his friends. Paulie. I’ve never liked him.
“Excuse me.” I try to move past him, but he blocks my way again.
“I thought that was you.”
I watch as he crosses his arms over his chest and looks down at me. I know I’ll have to hear him out because he’ll be a pain in my side otherwise.
“What do you want?”
“You need to leave town.”
“Why, ‘cause Gavin says so?” Why does everyone want me to leave town?
“Because Gavin is dead.”
“What?” I feel like he just punched me in the gut with that statement.
“Some man pointed a gun at him and was asking a lot of questions about you. Gavin grabbed his chest and then down he went. They’re saying he had a heart attack.”
“He’s really gone?” I don’t care that tears escape my eyes and Paulie can see them. Gavin can’t be dead.
“Yep. I’m sorry, kid. He always cared a lot about you.”
“Why is this man after me? What did I do?” I don’t really expect Paulie to be able to answer that; my thoughts are just too jumbled to think clearly. I can’t believe Gavin is dead. My only friend is dead.
“I don’t know, kid, but the guy looked angry.”
“Where do I go?” I’m completely lost now. I didn’t want to leave Gavin, but now he has left me.
“I don’t care, kid, just don’t tell me. I’ll have no problems giving you up.” Paulie stumbles away from me, looking around himself suspiciously.
Gavin is dead? Is it true that the man with the gun was hassling him about me? Why? Why is he looking for me? What have I done?
Gavin’s words then repeat in my mind. “Get on a bus and go to another town.”
I need to get to a bus station. I need to leave. After two years on the street, I have never felt more scared than how I’m feeling right now. I’m officially all alone in the world and I have a madman chasing me, wanting to kill me.
Taken By Surprise Page 19