The boy at the driver's seat turns to look at the road with a lazy grin.
Why is my fate like this? I glanced at the mages out of the corner of my eye. The way they were chasing me was as if they suspected me of something. They stood there in the midst of all those vehicles. The brown-haired dude looked towards the senior mage. The green eyes that had once looked uninterested now followed the van's path.
Since they didn't follow me any further, it probably meant they had strict orders to stay in Palawan. I looked at the brown-haired dude and he looked straight at me. I tried to remain unfazed, but the older guy looked towards me too and I couldn't help but shift uncomfortably in my seat. The van got farther and farther away. My butt started to itch, and this time I think I knew what bad events were starting to unfold.
A half an hour or so later, the vehicle was close to Karandish and I felt a tap at my shoulder. I faced my side and an angry slap whipped my head to the side. The elderly woman fumed as she pulled off the scarf on my head. I quickly wrapped my cloak around myself. It was about time she noticed. I felt my throbbing cheek and clenched my jaws. She grabbed at my cloak and forced it down. Stray hairs flew in my face and I sat quietly before pulling my cloak back up.
The people in the van turned to us as the woman grabbed me and forced me against the side of the car. I seriously didn't like hitting old people, but I felt like making an exception today. I turned to her with uninterested eyes. She fumed some more. It wasn't my fault her scarf was dangling out of her bag like that. It was practically begging to get stolen. Unless that was her motive from the start.
I smirked. Seems like there was another freeloader in the can with me. I glanced at my wrist and it was almost 7 AM. I had enough time to get to Master Thelowar's house if I jumped out from here and ran without being noticed.
"YOU WHORE!" she screeched as she held my cloak in a tight fist and inched her face close to mine.
I stared into her eyes. Her watery blue eyes wavered slightly, as she noticed that I was unfazed by her attacks. She brought her arm up to slap me again. I let her raise her hand in the air, enjoying the sound of her rickety bones cracking from the sudden movements. As she swung her hand towards my face I swerved my head a bit and her arm swung past my face and into a pillar on the van.
CRACK!
Everyone turned to see what happened as the old lady clutched her wrist. Her cheeks trembled as she looked at me through piercing eyes. The passengers surrounded her and brought out water and pieces of cloth to tie her wrist with. I watched as the scene unfolded. I felt guilty for a second before the old lady started to howl in pain. All the passengers looked at me with contempt as they tried calming the lady down.
It was like killing two birds with one stone. These people were so focused on the lady that they wouldn't notice if I left now, and I wouldn't have to pay for the ride. The boy's view of me was covered by the people jostling in the back. I pulled the cloak around me tighter and slid one foot out the entrance. The car was driving at such a speed, that I would immediately fall and roll over the second I got out.
Before the lady would start asking for hospital money or some shit, I looked outside and thought of using a diversion. I brought out a thick stick from my robes and poked my head to the side of the van where the driver was seated. He was glancing at the people in the back and keeping an eye on the road at the same time. He wouldn't notice me...yet. Even though it was a dangerous move, I took the stick and aimed for the side view mirror. If I cracked it, it would be enough for him to reduce his speed, if it's even for a second.
I had to aim, and exit quickly. I got out of the car and was holding a handle to stabilize myself, my feet gripping the thin ledge, the stick was in my mouth as I silently worked my way into finding a perfect angle. The tarp kept on raising up and down in waves. Sand blew in my eyes, and tears formed, but that didn't stop me from attacking my target. I raised the hand that carried the stick and waited for a perfect shot. As if sensing me looking at him, the guy looked at me through the mirror and his eyes widened.
Surprise, surprise. I wiggled my eyebrows before throwing the stick in the mirror. He pressed on the brakes so quickly, that everyone in the back of the van screamed. The old lady who was also faking crying out of pain stopped and held onto a person with her injured arms. Not even a wince was shown on her features. Everyone didn't know where to look, the driver, or the fake lady. Or me. I jumped out quickly, and the driver doors were banging open.
Chase number two, in less than an hour. I deserve a frickin' trophy. I salute the people inside the van and start to sprint to a familiar set of buildings in the distance. The guys curse at me and scream at me to get back.
"OYYYY! YOU BITCH! YOU'RE FUCKED IF I SEE YOU AGAIN!"
They couldn't keep up with my pace, I outran them too quickly. Their screams were swept away by the wind. My body pumped with adrenaline, and even though I felt guilty for freeloading off of them, I saw the shit they did with the money. Even though I wasn't in any position to judge them, I still didn't want to give them money for it to just go to waste.
I glanced behind me once more to see if they were following me and quickly entered the city. I shook the sand from my body and my hair. I wrapped my cloak tighter and began walking to Master Thelowars' house. One step, two step, three step...I counted my steps as I tried to shake off the uncanny feeling of the chances of meeting them again.