So I got to writing the other night...
Glancing at the clock, Dan realized if he didn’t leave soon he would be once again sleeping on the couch in his office. Rubbing the back of his neck, he knew that he would not like waking up there tomorrow morning. Thoughts of his empty apartment didn’t sound any better, but it had the promise of a shower and clean clothes. Saving the project he was working on, Dan copied the files to his jump drive in case he wanted to work on it at home. That’s a lie he thought it’s not “in case” it’s more like when he can’t sleep at three am. Grabbing his suitcase, he took a last look around his office and was suddenly stuck by the memory of a time when he wanted to leave work more than anything. He saw the reason as bright as if she was standing in front of him. Her beautiful long red hair and stunning green eyes had captivated him at first glance. Shaking the image of Jenny out of his head, Dan pulled his office door shut. Locking his files securely in his office, Dan went around the floor turning off lights as he was the last to leave. A shout rang out when he turned off the final light. “Hey,” Mark Miggler came out of his office. “You aren’t the only guy who puts in a few extra hours every once in a while.” “Sorry,” Dan mumbled. Mark exited his office, “You’re lucky I am leaving or my father would hear about this.” After the childish threat, Mark pushed the elevator button continuously until one arrived. “I didn’t know anyone else was still here.” Dan halfheartedly apologized. Mark got on the elevator and Dan released his breathe when the doors closed. Opting to avoid an awkward elevator ride, Dan turned the corner to take the stairs. It just wasn’t that Mark isn’t Dan’s favorite person, but he was also the owner’s son. Mark was spoiled and was usually good at getting what he wanted from his father so Dan tried to hold his tongue lest Mark try to get him fired. Dan didn’t know how much longer he would be able to hold back especially if Mark kept stealing his parking spot. It didn’t even make sense. Mark had his own parking spot closer to the elevator and everything. He probably just got some twisted pleasure out of making Dan search for a spot every morning. Dan was nearing the parking garage level when he heard angry voices coming from the other side of the garage’s door. A man was shouting. Dan thought he could hear a bit of an Irish accent. “Shut Up, I have had enough. Where is she?” Dan could barely make out another man’s response. “I don’t know who you are talking about. You have the wrong guy.” There was a loud noise. Dan thought the loud Irish sounding man was hitting the other. He was about to go out and see if he could help when the Irish man spoke again. “If you’re not Dan Redding, then why is your car parked in his spot.” Dan let go of the door handle he had just been about to turn. This man was looking for him. Who would possibly be after him, and who are they looking for? Peering out the window, Dan saw Mark was surround by not one but three men who all had guns pointed at him. Mark seemed to gain some gusto or at least a fake facade of it. “My name is Mark. My father is Dan’s boss I steal his spot all the time. Dan was still upstairs when I left. He usually takes the stairs down meaning he could be here any second.” The Irishmen smiled. The one in the middle seemed to be in charge gave a look to his comrades before speaking to Mark again. “Thank you for your help. We are grateful.” Before he finished speaking, all three of the men shot Mark one in the chest, one in the head, and one in the balls. Dan jumped back from the window and started breathing heavily. Going into the garage was certain death. Going back upstairs only meant delaying death. Dan’s only option was to run out the street exit and hope they didn’t have someone watching. Before he could think about it any longer he heard “Ian, get rid of the body. Andy and I will look for Dan. Andy, take the elevator. I’ll take the stairs.” With all the speed he could muster, Dan was out the door and running down the street.
Cheers,
Tabitha
