Mara pov
The street was quiet, and the sky was filled with dark clouds. It was just past six in the evening, the dust on the ground clung to my shoes while I stood beside a cracked wall fence, I waited for the men in black coats to walk in, with the package they held. I watched them open the boxes and transfer guns into a waiting van.
CLICK. My camera shuttered.
"Perfect." I muttered. I have finally gotten the images of the gun exporters in the city. My boss, has been so desperate to get them. I stood up carefully, slipping my hand into my bag, pulling out my notebook and pen to jot down the address and time. Accuracy mattered. I was still writing when I heard footsteps approaching me.
I quickly shoved the notebook and pen back into my bag. I looked around, trying to run away when I felt a shadow fell on me. "Give me the camera." A deep voice came from behind me. I turned. Three men in black stood there. One stepped forward. I hid my fear and held the camera tight against my chest.
"No," I said. The man frowned. He tried to grab me, but I pushed him over with everything in me.
I ran.
My feet pounded the dusty ground. I pushed through a narrow alley, and climbed a low fence. My heart burned with each breath, took. I thought I was fast, but they threw a stone at my leg, before I reached the street. "Ouch." I gasped, tumbling to the ground.
I struggled to move, but my legs were bleeding profusely. Then one of the men grabbed my wrist and lifted me up. Another pushed me hard against the brick wall. My head hit the bricks with a loud thud.
"Who sent you?" he asked. "No one." I replied. A slap hit my cheek. My head turned to the side. The sting was sharp and hot. I tasted my blood, in my mouth.
Another kick landed on my leg. I fell to my knees on the ground. "Talk!" the man shouted.
I couldn't. If I spoke, they would know I am a journalist. I waited for a second when the man bent down to check my face. I kicked him in the jaw with all my strength. He groaned and fell back. I shoved the other man away with my shoulder and slipped through the gap. I started running while limping.
The moment I lost track of them I booked a cab and headed straight to the hospital. "Sacred heart memorial." I whispered to myself, as I stepped out of the cab staring at the big three story building in front of me.I went inside, breathing hard. My face was throbbing.
My sister sat on her bed. She was trying to sit up even though she looked too weak to move. She had a small bowl of sliced fruit beside her. Her eyes widened when she saw my face."Mara, what happened to you?" I forced a smile and touched my swollen cheek.
"Nothing. Someone pushed me on the street. I am okay." She didn't believe me. Her hand shook as she picked a piece of apple and passed it to me. "Eat. You look tired." Her voice was soft and shaky. I sat beside her and took the fruit. The pain in my cheek and leg stung, but I kept my face straight.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
She sighed. "The same. This pain is getting worse.She touched her own chest. Then she looked at the pillow and then back at me. "Sister… look." I followed her eyes. A small patch near her scalp was almost empty. More hair had fallen out. The sight made my stomach twist into a knot. Her cancer was moving too fast."God, don't let her die please." I prayed underneath my breath.
"Will I die?" she looked at me with a teary eye.I held her hand. "It's okay. We will fix it." I said, biting my lower lips so I could stop the tears in my throat.