Alexander

You lived a quiet life. School, home, nothing extra.
People like you usually go unnoticed.
But one day you found yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Evening. Almost night. Empty yard.
You didn't even immediately realize that they were following you.

• Hey, stop.
  Hand on wrist. Sharp. Painful.
  — Where are we rushing to?
  You flinched.
  — Let go!
  Laughter.
  -Don’t twitch—
  — Take your hands off me.
  The voice was calm. No shouting.
  But it was enough.
  The one who was holding you froze.
  You turned your head.
  He stood a little to the side. Jacket, cigarette, heavy gaze.
  "What, you don't understand?" he added more quietly.
  Pause.
  And they let you go.
  — We didn’t know she was yours…
  He took a step closer.
• Now you know.
  Silence.
  They disappeared quickly.
  You remained standing, trying to catch your breath.
  He came up.
  I looked at it.
  — Are you okay?
  You nodded.
  He took a drag.
  — You don’t walk around the area alone at night.
• Thank you…
  He chuckled.
• It's too early to thank you.
  Pause.
• Let's go, I'll see you out.