2Relief washed over Maddie when she saw it was just Mr. Allen, Michael's former social worker and her current one. It took her awhile to process that he had no reason to be here, before she warily took a step back.
Mr. Allen grinned evilly, pulling out a wicked looking knife from his belt. The two huge men that Maddie had became well acquainted with over the last several weeks, walked up behind him.
"Hello, Maddie, Michael, it's good to see you're getting along," he said sinisterly. He took an advancing step towards them and Maddie moved further back, tugging Michael's sleeve to follow. They were now up against the counter, Maddie's backpack brushing her pant leg. If only she could grab the knife that lay inside it.
"What do you want?" Michael asked, finding his voice.
Mr. Allen threw his head back and laughed, looking crazy. His eyes were bloodshot and had dark circles beneath them. "You had a warning. Remember? It's been two weeks."
Maddie's heart pounded so hard she was sure everyone could hear it. Of course this was going to happen. Why hadn't she gone to the police? Why hadn't she persisted with her parents? Slowly, she began to bend her knees, her hand aimlessly searching for her backpack. She kept her eyes on Mr. Allen as her fingers brushed the rough fabric. She fumbled with the zipper.
"Freeze!"
Maddie froze, her eyes wide. The two body guard like men had guns trained on her. A knife was one thing but guns left them beyond helpless. They had nothing to defend themselves against.
"If you move an inch, they'll blow Michael's brains out. We wouldn't want that, would we?" Mr. Allen cooed. Suddenly Maddie realized the guns weren't pointed at her, but Michael.
"Stand up, dear," commanded Allen.
Maddie stood up straight, casting a nervous glance at Michael to make sure he was fine. His olive skin had gone pale but his chocolate eyes blazed with fury. He looked ready to kill someone. Maddie was surprised her own anger too. She wasn't paralyzed with fear like she thought she would be. Fear was definitely flowing through her but her hands clenched and unclenched, eager to do something.
"Step away from the counter."
Maddie hesitated to compile to Mr. Allen's orders. She felt Michael take a step forward as she scanned the kitchen for something useful.
"Maddie, dear," the social worker prompted.
Taking a small step forward, Maddie acted on impulse. Praying they wouldn't both end up shot dead, she flung her arm behind her and it caught on plate she and Michael had been eating off of minutes prior.
"Duck, Cole!" she screamed as shots rang out, diving to the floor herself. The plate had hit Allen in the head and the food went flying.
As moment of chaos ensued, Maddie scrambled to her feet, grabbing Michael's arm. Allen appeared to be out cold, but she wasn't going to stick around to find out.
She wanted to split for the back door, but barely a second went by before she realized that would leave them right in the range of the men's guns. Pulling roughly on Michael, she rounded a corner. Their sneakers pounded on the hard wood floor as they made for the front door.
More shots went off that sent panic rushing throughout Maddie but she didn't even turn around to make sure Michael was okay. The shiny brass doorknob was her goal and she wasn't going to stop until she was on the other side of it and far, far away.
Her fingers gripped the cold metal and she yanked it as hard as she could. The door swung open and she tumbled through, Michael following.
"Close the door!" she screeched as a bullet went flying past her head. Maddie barely made sure Michael had done it, before taking off down the street. If only we had Michael's keys, she thought as she whizzed pass his car. She could still picture them sitting on the kitchen counter, untouched.
"Emily!" Michael breathlessly called from behind her. He was only a step or two away even though she had a head start. "Emily, stop!"
Maddie ignored him. There was no way she was even slowing down until she was far away and safe. Her calves were aching and her lungs burning but it hardly registered to her. She was running on autopilot.
"Emily!" she heard her name called again before something hit her from the back with enough force to knock the wind out of her. She stumbled, tripping over her own feet and making impact with the sidewalk.
She gasped as her tender skin was ripped open on the palms of her hands. One of her knees of her jeans ripped and her arms that tried to break her fall, collapsed. Her chin hit the cement and she tasted blood in her mouth.
Blinking to clear her vision, she pushed into a sitting position, getting ready to flee again.
"Emmy, don't," Michael asked, pressing a hand firmly on her shoulder. He sunk down next to her, his brown eyes shimmering with worry. "They got in a car and drove away. They're gone."
Maddie glanced over her shoulder, noticing the dark van parked next to her house was gone. For now they were safe.
"Okay," she said, her voice shaking a little. She had been running on fear and adrenaline but now that was gone and all that was left was a terrified teenager. She swiped the back of her hand over her moist eyes. "Okay," she said again, rising unsteadily to her feet.
Michael rose as well and they stood toe to toe, staring at each other. Maddie had no idea of what to do. The whole street seemed eerily quiet except for their ragged breathing and the quiet wailing of an approaching police car.
They both turned their heads to see the flashing lights turn down the street. Meeting each other eyes, they nodded in agreement. Neither of them knowing what they were doing, they turned the other way with a running start.
The first policeman stepped out of his car to find two kids fleeing the scene. And after discovering a dead man in the house, it didn't take long for Madeline Kelly and Michael Thornton to be wanted for suspected murder.
Author's Note: So I have not updated in forever. This may be the case again, depending on feedback and my general motivation. Reviews very much wanted, especially critiques. I want to improve my writing. :]