Hacker's Heart

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ch as I do now." I thought to myself. I could hear my heart pounding f

ting. The atmosphere felt dense as if it was holding its breath just like I was. The s

f my heart. Each step I took echoed through the empty street, an annoying reminder that I was alone, vulnerable, and

say. A constant blur of fear, paranoia, and survival. Running away from t

no chance for a second chance if I was caught. I hoped by disappearing into the shadows, by becoming someone else and having a n

to run. But tonight was different. Tonight, the fear was almost tangible, as if it were a livi

ll they were there. I held my breath and suddenly I increased my walking speed as my heart be

e from the new life I abruptly took over? These questions were embedded in my head l

was a flow of energy in my veins. The road ahead turned left really fast, so I quickly followed the turn, hoping to los

I can't be weak. I got this far, I cannot be weak." I said to myself. The footsteps did not stop, it kept coming close and closer. I

movement, there was a narrow alley between two old, broken and probably abandoned buildings. Without t

ingers running up against the cold wet surface of the walls. I could hear footsteps, appr

g back. But then, that hope disappeared the moment I turned the corner and ran right into someone. I stumbled back like

-Lila "Maya? What are you doing here?" Lila asked, with a tone mixed w

supposed sister there made me feel a little safer. I wasn't alone anymore. "I......I thought someone was following me," I fina

er grip on my arm as she looked around. "There's no one here now. M

d at me more softly. "Okay fine, let's just get back to the apartment. It's not

nds. "Wait, what are you doing out here by this time?" I asked. Lila was

her, my mind easing up a bit. Almost as soon as we stepped into the house, Lila p

" I responded as I headed over to the dining table. "What about the place you went to?" Lila asked. "Drew said it

en sink. It felt like I could breathe for a second and I tried to even my breaths before continuin

nk and raised the bottle for a second gulp of water. "Anyway

k. Kn

tion and peace. It was a deliberate and sharp type of kno

except Drew and his family, whose house is a 15 mins walk

asked, whispering. She shook

it be? At