Hunted by You

*PHILLIP* I sat at the corner of Davies and Fletcher, glaring at the crimson stain on my new wheels. Fact #1: I hit a squirrel. I tried to swerve but the rodent followed my jerky movements. Fact #2: That squirrel was a dumbass. The sidewalks were crowded as I pulled off. Mothers walking with kids, dogs walking with owners. "Why don't you get your high tailin' ass outta here, kid?" The shop owner, Jack, a grizzly bear of a man growled at me from behind the glass of his shop door, a brand new 'OPEN' sign hung above his head, although the man was a few inches shorter than me, he was also ten times stalkier than I would ever be. "Aw, c'mon old man, go easy on me." I pleaded back sarcastically, an unlit cigarette hanging between my lips. I had almost crashed into the corner store I now leaned against, scowling at the man through the window. "You've got two minutes before I call the cops." The hairier man spat, holding up his phone. "Alright, alright." I said, giving him a cheeky grin as I lit up and blew a plume of smoke at the glass. I pulled out my keys, dragging them across my fingers lazily. I eyed the tires once more before hopping into the front of the black Mustang. My phone rang as I started the engine, the black stallion purring to life. "Yes?" I answered already knowing who it was. "Phillip, hey!" my best friend, Michael answered. "Yo, Mikey, how's the family?". "Everyone's good. Yours?" He asked, sounding cautious. "Haha, you got some jokes on ya?" I chuckled, rolling my eyes as I threw my sunglasses over them and pulled off, rolling down the window, flicking cigarette ashes at the cracked cement as I drove. "Hell yeah, you know what else I got?" Mikey asked, his voice lowered. "What's that?" i mumbled, twirling the cig between my fingers, slowing down at a stoplight. "A party tonight at mine, you comin'?" "I'll see if I can pull up for a few." I said, winking at a girl who'd stopped to look at the black beauty of a car, pulling off as the light switched to green. "If you want, you could bring a plus one," Mikey added, his name being called in the background. "Yeah, sure I'll see ya later." I hung up, turning a corner, knowing I wouldn't make it. Not even ten seconds later, the phone rang again. "What Mike?" I answered quickly, a slight snap in my voice as I blew smoke out the window. " Mr. Reynolds, your mother has just passed." A female's solemn voice rang out through the phone. My ears rang, as the words echoed, the world stopping. xX Three Months Later Xx "Yes, I'm well aware that her belongings should be distributed based on her will, but I'm telling you she hasn't left one just lying around-" I was cut off by the doorbell ringing. "I'll call you back in a few, Ron. Yes, I get that, I-I'm brea-a-kin-" I hung up, tossing the phone to the maroon couch that was covered in fur. A few moments later, I stood in front of a strange man, caramel eyes staring through me, black hair flying around his head like a blackened halo, his mouth was set in a straight line, and didn't look like it was moving- or ever had. His body language was stiff, and I looked at his attire and tried not to grimace at the putrid smell floating through my nostrils. The shirt the visitor had on was faded, and holier than Jesus himself, and his pants were just as, if not more, ripped. His shoes- er, well there were none. His feet were covered in dirt so black they looked like socks. "How can I help you?" I asked the man. He was mute, holding out a dirt-stained hand. I looked down at it and saw a small, silver box in the middle of his palm. I took it slowly, opening it to see a ring. It was a bit dingy, with no tags or store information on it. It shimmered like a diamond but was dull at the same time. I looked up slowly, seeing the man had gone. Literally. I stepped onto the 'Welcome' mat and looked both ways down the dimmed hall to my apartment. "Weird," I mumbled, hearing my dog barking in the back room. I closed the door, locking it and the deadbolt before checking on him. "Brady!" he called as a ball of gray and white ran full speed at my legs. I almost fell over as the pitbull jumped up to stand on his hind legs and lick my chin. "What a good boy," I chuckled, rubbing his pooch's right ear, careful to keep the box out of his reach, I sat it on the kitchen table behind me, grabbing a seat. I carefully examined the silver box. It was unlike any earthly metal I'd seen upon closer examination. I opened the box, feeling the soft velvet material the ring was cushioned in. The ring was made of the same shiny silver-colored material the actual box was made of. I pulled it out, seeing that the ring was weightless, light as a feather, I slid it onto his pinky finger and it was larger than I expected. How could this homeless man know his ring size? he thought, sliding it on his right ring finger and fitting it like a glove, snug enough to not fall off and also be comfortable for everyday wear. I felt it vibrate suddenly, making my ring finger feel warm as I tried to pry it off. No use. "What the fu-" I was cut off by another knock at the door, this one more urgent. I looked around trying to find the box that the ring came in, maybe that creep was here to take it back. Hell, he could take it wherever he needed to. Brady trotted to the door sniffing it and whining. The knocking continued as I shoved his hand in his pocket, cursing himself as the ring continued to vibrate. "I'm coming, give me a sec!" I yelled over the knocking. I pulled Brady away from the door, opening it a c***k. My eyes widened as I peeked through just to see. "M-Mom?" She stood there silent as a ghost, staring at me. "What are you doing here? We buried you months ago..." I trailed off, a small laugh escaping my lips. "This must be some twisted joke. Alright, Mike, you can come out now," I yelled, opening the door. My mom stood there, shaking her head. "My sweet boy, this is no laughing matter," she spoke quickly, pushing past me and Brady to get inside. I stumbled back, feeling her cool hi skin brush mine as she walked. "We have very limited time. Did you get what Ed gave you? The ring?" She grabbed at my hands, pulling my arm from out his pocket as I shut the door, flabbergasted. "Can you just- hold on. Ma, hold on!" I said, pulling out my hand and showing her the metal. She looked up at me, a smile on her lips, faint as she shook her head. "You know he didn't believe me when I told him. He doubted you from the second you came to this planet. But I told him. I was right, ha!" she spoke to herself softly, patting my hand. She looked up at me once again. Her eyes flickered a soft gold as she grinned. "Everything is coming together perfectly! My son, you're almost ready." "Mom, what in the world are you going on about?" I asked, still shocked that my dead mother was in front of me. She wore an all-black outfit as if prepared to fight for anything. Her gray hair was pulled into a braid that stopped at her shoulders. "Oh, right...come sit, come sit!" she said, taking a seat on the couch. I sat across from her, watching as she pulled out a small device. It was a small phone. "I'm sorry to keep you in the dark. We just had to plan and make sure everything was lined up just right and-" her phone rang and she answered, said a few yes's, and hung up. " OK, but you've been dead. Super dead. We buried you, I saw your body. I cried night after night for you! We had to cover all the costs that your insurance wouldn't, Mom. We sat and grieved you! Do you even understand the ramifications of what you've-" I blurted, she stared at me, nodding her head, holding a finger up to stop me. "Phillip. I know how this must seem. But it's for the cause. Let me explain, then I swear you can yell at me all day and night if you so choose." she waited for my nod before continuing. "There are forces in this world more powerful than you have ever known. I've tried to keep you shielded from them for as long as I could, but I cannot any longer..." she trailed off, watching me for any reaction. "I'll cut to the chase. You've been cloaked for now, but you'll soon see many beings that aren't who they seem to be. They will try to harm you, some may try to even kill you, but you, my dear, have been blessed with a very special gift." "Are we filthy rich?" I guessed, watching Brady pace on the floor in front of us. "No," she responded, her face serious and her mouth tightened to a line. " Well we aren't... you, my son, are a prince," she said slowly, watching as I barked out a laugh that lasted too long. "A prince? Yeah, no. " I wiped his tears, the laughter dying. "This has got to be a mistake. I'm not any kind of royal. You've worked as a housecleaner my whole life, and my deadbeat father's a drunk who can't add two and two. Do you expect me to believe we've got some kind of royalness just coursing in us? Yeah, right." I smirked, watching her stand and take a step toward me. "Hand me the ring." she held out her palm. I shrugged, yanking at it. It started to vibrate again, and she watched, shaking her head, "You can't, can you?" her phone rang again. "No, what is this thing?' I panted, struggling to remove it as she answered the phone. What is this thing made of super glue, I thought, listening to the conversation as it unfolded. "Are they here now?" Mom questioned, speeding to the door. "No, no one's out there yet. Yeah, I can, maybe. He's yours too. Shocker." she hangs up, coming over to Brady and bending to his level. "Take this," she pulls out a dingy-looking piece of rolled-up paper "to Titus, he's in the usual spot, then wait till dawn and find us." Brady barks as she ties it to his collar with a ribbon. I watched the pair, my brows furrowed in confusion. "Who's Titus? Where are you taking my dog?" I demand an answer. Before I can get one, Mom opens the front door. "Wait, his leash..." I was suddenly cut off by Brady running out the door as if chasing a cat, confidence flowing out Mom's face like, well like a proud mother. She slams the door, going into my room. I follow behind as she rummages around the room. finally pulling the luggage out of my closet, grabbing clothes, and packing them quickly and efficiently. "We have no more time to explain. I've told you everything I can for now. Now we leave and get you home." she said. I watched as she packed in a hurry, protesting that this was my home and I wouldn't be leaving it yet. I had just paid my rent for the month a few days ago, I couldn't break my lease, there wasn't a prince clause in there, and it wasn't prorated. She hushed me, pausing suddenly. The ring around my finger grew warm, and I turned to the door, cracking it open. Outside, in the living room, I saw two absurdly tall men entering, quiet as mice. Mom pulled me back and signaled to the window. She mouthed go. I shook my head and she went to the bed, shoving the bags in my hands. She pointed firmly at the window, mouthing the word again while pulling out a dagger. It gleamed in the rays of the sun. I huffed as she nodded to the window again, handing me a phone identical to hers. "I'm not letting you die here alone, Mom. I'm going to protect you as best as I can. Give me a weapon, give me anything-" I swore, I was cut short by glass shattering. More footsteps. She surveyed the scene too. More than 10 men had run into the apartment and were headed right toward them, all in matching suits. She closed the door locking it and muttered something as she hovered her fingers over the knob. "That gives us a few minutes. Let's get our asses out now! GO!" his mom yelled and they ran, shoving the phone in my pocket as she opened the window, tumbling out. I looked out the window, making sure she was okay before throwing the bags out of it and jumping myself. They were only on the second floor, but the winter brought only ice and snow, so the fall wasn't life-threatening, just a bit chilly. Mom was grabbing a bag and throwing it over her shoulder as I got up, brushing off the snow. "We've gotta get to Titus," she stated, watching me pick up his other luggage and followed her. "What did you do to that door back there?" I wondered. She ignored the question, trudging through the snow, twirling the dagger as she walked briskly. "Can we please talk about how you're still alive then? Or maybe how the hell I'm a prince?" He exclaimed but was met with silence. We had walked a couple of miles before she spoke up, but it was to answer a phone call. "We're here. Around the corner. Did he bring it? Okay, well he's smart enough. Yes, he's just fine. Oh, I see. Great." she hung up once again, turning to me and grinning that cheeky smile. A black SUV pulled up, the back doors opened quickly, and out flew Brady. He barked and was on guard as two men who were both shorter than Phillip grabbed the bags from them. "Your majesty, the King would love to see you immediately. You've caused quite a ruckus in the kingdom," the taller of the two stated, his mom getting into the car as if she knew them both. Brady jumped in after her. "Thank you, Simon, Huck." she smiled at them kindly and waved them off. I climbed in, and they got in the front. "Ready to go, your majesty?" the one that looked like a Huck questioned, looking back at us. "Uh. Sure, Huck." I nodded. "I'm Simon, that's Huck." he pointed a thumb to the driver, turning back around. Mom turned to me a small smile on her lips, saying the five words I never thought she'd utter. "Ready to see your father?"