UNDER THE SAME SKY

Clara’s POV It was late in the afternoon when I stepped out of the large exotic shopping mall. I usually come for my groceries.This week had been crazy full of deadlines and meetings. My phone buzzed It was Jessica my secretary “ yes Jessica, what is it ?” I said “ Hello Ma’am went to your office to inform you about the Colorado deal but your not on sit” she said in a lowered voice then added” their company’s representatives are here already. At first I was irritated because I hated being disturbed during my personal time. But holy s**t I've totally forgotten. “ Okay Jessica just hold up for me and try to reschedule with their representative 9:00am tomorrow morning” I said swiftly. “Noted ma’am “ my secretary replied. I turned off my cell phone and decided I will head to Tessy's I need some new clothes. Been so busy lately that I didn't have time to add new stuff to my wardrobe. Looked down at the cream short fitted gown I wore it was above the knee and it hugged my figure perfectly.Thankfully I packed my dark brown hair except for some stubborn little curly strands escaping everywhere ready for the afternoon traffic “hmmmm” I sighed as I picked up my bags and moved away from the shade. I intended to reach the hydrant just by the roadside and call my driver Sam. He was always late. I don't know why.I can't even scold him Sam was like a father to me. But today I just wanted to relax and take my time enjoying the scenery here. Since it's my day off at work and my neighborhood is usually very quiet. The man coming towards me wearing a dark coat who looked like he was in his early fifties with light streaks of gray hairs Framed on his dark hair and spectacles in place was escorted to his car. Suddenly, I heard a gun shot split in the air and the man collapses just close to me. His blood was dripping across the interlocked road. A figure lowers a smoking gun and disappears into the panicked crowd. The security men around him were immediately on the alert. Searching for the killer. I was so panicked striken that I dropped my purchases to the ground. My hands on my mouth as I screamed. The whole environment was in a chaos with mothers gripping their children as they ran for safety and people running everywhere. More gun shots glass shattering-as bullets. Hit off surfaces, cars and store fronts. My heart was racing . Before my mind could think, my legs were already running. Still hearing the sound of gun fire. I turned back a little to look. That was when I noticed two men clad in black coming after me…was this a dream, what did I do wrong? Clara I said to myself in the midst of the chaos this must be a dream. I have never wronged anyone on purpose and I was always a very careful woman. Why was this happening to me? Tears were streaming down my face. As I ran harder for safety. Then I saw a broken shelter and reached it. I bent down and hid a little. The men came and stopped by “where is the b***h?” The first man said as they looked around and tried to scrape the area. “She went this way “ said the second still looking around. My heart was pounding in my chest every second that passed felt like an entire life time. I sat so still that every the rustle the wind made I thought will expose me and make them notice my location. The men searched and searched. “ Damn she saw Cliff shoot the gun, that's the problem and we are done. This isn't tidy work” Said the first man” “ what do we tell Fred?” Said the second “ that we couldn't do a neat job and we left loose ends?” “wait” the first man who had a scar on his left hand growled, suddenly a deadly smile curled up at the corner of his lips. “She couldn't have gone far judging” “ your right said the second man as he adjusted his black mask back in place with a devilish grin. He had a missing tooth a gap at the front of this tobacco stained teeth. His involuntary action made me see the crest. It was small and gray an engraved jackal head on the left corner of the black mask. They went further and went out of sight. That was when I summoned the couraged to look out and check. I felt a bit safe. I dusted my body and straightened my short gown I wish I had worn jeans instead. What would have prepared me for a situation like this?How would I have known a peaceful, blissful and sunny day would end like this? This had got to be a movie. I dailed Sam’s number but it wasn't reachable. I can't just remain here waiting for my driver it's not safe. So I looked to the right corner and hurried there for safety… I kept on walking hurriedly, blindly without looking back. I heard footsteps again. This time coming rapidly I started running and the steps were also coming after me. I took a different turn to a left street and was out on the open. They kept coming after me. “ Tim get the b***h don't let her go out of your sight” said a familiar voice it belonged to the scared man. I was desperate, fatigued. I ran blindly just for survival. My legs felt heavy but I had to keep going then I heard a gunshot. It missed me as I adjusted to the other lane. Another shot again I took a different turn and hid behind a tree. They wouldn't give up. “ Come out b***h” yelled the scare handed man. “ Today is your death day” replied the other sarcastically they both chuckled. I froze by the tree. I took off my heely shoes and broke the heels. One of my naturally tanned burnished full legs had a cut and blood was trickling down. I looked at it and that was when I felt the pain. Well, no time to treat the wound Clara I said to myself. Then I mustered the last energy I had and took off from my hiding place. As I was running a strong hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me almost effortlessly into the shadows as gunfire explode right at my back. Gosh I would have been killed…