I didn't look back, nor did I notice anyone running with or towards me. I felt sorry for Brody, and was pained, he really needed that money. And his last night wasn't all good either, at least, he should have had a peaceful death.
I ran with all the strength I could muster up, befuddled and panicking, until I got to a really busy street, an expensive street it was. Almost all the buildings were skyscrapers, and the ones that weren't, which stood in-between, beside, opposite and behind, were exotic shops, coffee shops, pet shops, boutiques, jewelry stores, grocery and Auto shops.
And then, the terrifying noise of police sirens! They were still chasing me! The traffic light clicked on red, and cars jammer up, waiting for the green light, the police car couldn't cross over.
I looked across the road and saw a building, it was huge, and there was a few people making rounds in and out of from the entrance door, and even though I saw two gigantic armed men that stood beside and apart from each other.
I had waited enough, "Damn it!" It was green already, and I ran into the traffic, the road was heated with the exhaust of cars and my ears were stinged with the hunks of angry and in-haste road users.
I knew I needed more strength if I was going to enter that door, but I had no strength! The panic and fear had already exhausted the energy I had.
I approched with haste, the guards extended, a hand on their glock, and another hand stretched out to hold me back.
The police car was parked, and two cops stormed out, heels on fast track, running towards me. I saw myself in a fight, against two undefeatable opponents, I had come a long way already, I will end up in jail, surely, or could end up like Brody. I wasn't ready for either.
I ran towards the guards, focused on the glass turn-around door, and with the snuffs of my strength I pulled through them, sliding down and in-between them, I was thin anyway, so I slipped my way into the building, having the glass door open effortlessly and shut, with the two guards closely in front of the door, blocking the entrance.
"You can't enter there sir, this is a private property and cops aren't allowed to just barge in" one of the guards halted the lead cop, who was filled with fierceness to catch me.
I was harboured in the building, my eyes fixed on them on the other side, I felt safe, as long as they continued showing resistance. I could hear them, although muffled.
"I'm telling you that there's a criminal in there!"
But, the guards continued to protest, growling back at the two smaller human beings before them "I'm sorry but you're not authorized, we have our policies and laws, we can't break 'em sir, I'm sorry" I was assured enough that I would be safe for the time being. And then, an idea hit me! There should be more doors, even an exit door or a door that would lead to anywhere at all, as long as it would get me outside.
And that was why and how I started gathering the little details of where I just entered. I looked up first, and saw a very huge space up, which also had some series of staircase. And a big medal of some kind, silvered, and sculptured from the ground. I was in awe!
I traced the sculpture from up to the ground, but before I could reach, I saw some legs walk away, and my eyes set upon a tiled wall.
"Next please!" Echoed the voice in the big hall. I looked up and before me, behind the iron counter sat a plumpy middle-aged lady with red cheeks, particles of grey hairs in a tight bun, and small black eyes behind brand new glasses.
Her piercing black eyes scanned my face and clothes. I looked up at the tag pasted on the wall, and it read "Employment screener". I turned around slowly and a queue of job seekers all in corporate attire were behind me.
I was baffled. I gulped down to my throat. What and where have I gotten myself into I thought.
And all eyes were on me, not just because I had just fixed myself in front of them all, instead of following the queue, they didn't react to it, maybe the job is pretty serious so they still maintained their sanity, and acted civilized and educated, but their interrogative eyes and faces suggested that they were wondering what a young woman, apparently looking like shit was doing in such a big company, it seemed.
I turned back at the screener, her eyes still fixed on me "what job are you applying for?..." I opened my mouth to talk, even though I hadn't no idea of what job I would say, she stepped in "and where is your CV? …"
"I um—"
"Come back when you're dressed well!..." A seemingly embarrassing laughter from the queue, not too civilized after all "Next please!" She yelled, making a scrabble on her record book, but I was still there. Looking gravely at her, what had just happened? Suddenly I felt the need to get a job right there.
"Ma'am, please I have many more people to attend to" murmurs were activated from the queue.
She took her telephone "Security, first place, please" she dropped the telephone, growling at me like I had become her greatest enemy.
And in no time two security men came forward, towards me. I wasn't going to say anything, but they didn't even give me the chance to, and before I knew it, I was trapped in the hard, strong and hefty hands of two security guards, and I was thrown outside like a dust mote sweeped off from a window ledge.
And once more, I met the tormenting smile of the sky, apparently dominated by the sun, the heat of the traffic, and the coupling sounds of the city that wanted my soul.
I dusted off my clothes, and tucked my dirty and half torn shirt.
I looked up at the large inscription above the entrance door "Dundell, wow" I felt that it was where I had to be, I loved it "We will meet again, real soon Dundell"
I left the place, feeling hopeful and a bit better than I had been, I breathed the breath of life. But after walking a few miles away from Dundell, I remembered that I had no corporate wear, and had no way of getting one, unless I buy it myself, "then I need to get a job. Yes, a job." But where was I going to work? An exclusive bar kitty-corner from the kiosk behind me reminded me of Cranes.