Chasers (NFI#1) Excerpt

While in the throes of writer's block in other projects, I decided to give the first part of Chasers a try. This definitely isn't the entire first chapter, but it's the first whole section. Feedback is appreciated, as always.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

She awoke with asphalt grating her back. No warm light touched her face, and a look straight ahead to the sky confirmed the sun wasn’t out. Nor were any clouds, nor were stars. Only a vast black canvas hung above her.

Something seemed off about that.

With an exhale, she pushed herself up to a seated position. She could see well enough despite the lack of celestial bodies. Tall streetlights, which contributed no more to the lighting than the absent sun, stood on either side of a pristine street, painted lanes glowing brightly over the black asphalt. No sputtering of engines filled the air, but she felt it was a good idea to get to the sidewalk.

Managing to stand easily enough, she hurried onto the concrete and rubbed her arms. While the atmosphere wasn’t as cold as it appeared to be, her short sleeves still left her with a bit of chill.

“Oi!”

Nearly stumbling into a mailbox, she clenched her fists and glanced about her. She didn’t feel any keys or mace in her pocket, but she was sturdy enough to feel that feet and elbows would be adequate.

Finally she saw the man strolling towards her. Leaning back a bit, he smiled loosely, the tails of his fine suit flapping quietly behind him. He was well-dressed from top hat to gleaming shoe, but his windblown hair and stubbly beard ruined any impression of utter spotlessness. He raised his thick eyebrows at her grimace and wisely chose to stop while yet some distance from her.

“I don’t believe I’ve seen you before,” he started with a brogue that matched his flame of hair.

She crossed her arms, no tension slipping from her frame. “Good for you.”

He chortled. “Got another nice one, looks like.” He held out a hand to shake before seeming to realize she was standing too far away to reach him. Instead he tipped his hat. “My name is Clyde. Pleased to meet you.”

Though she wasn’t planning to respond with her name, she found she couldn’t if she tried. Clyde must have seen the flicker of shock on her face, because he smiled a bit wider and said:

“Don’t have a name of your own, do you, lass?”

“I’m sure I do.” She kept her voice cold. “I just don’t seem to remember at the moment.”

“So I see.” He pulled out a pocket watch without looking at it too closely. “I don’t suppose you remember anything else about yourself?”

She took a deep breath. “What business is it of yours?”

“You’d be surprised.” Still smiling, he slipped the watch back into his pocket. “In fact, I know just how to get your memories back. If you don’t trust me, you don’t have to follow me, but the others will be gravely disappointed.”

With that, he turned on his heel and began to amble back where he had come. She watched, a tremble creeping into her shoulders. He could be trying to lead her into any number of traps. She had no phone in her pocket to dial for help, if there was help to dial. No lights shone in the windows of any bland-faced buildings, and a car had yet to putter past. She still had no idea where she was, and that also boded ill for however she could get help. No signs marked restaurants, hospitals, or general stores. The only thing yet of any comprehensibility was now striding away from her.  

Cursing under her breath, she walked after him, keeping her footsteps light in the hope he wouldn’t notice. She swore again when he glanced over his shoulder with a grin.

“Decided to come after all, then, lass?”

“Don’t call me ‘lass’,” she muttered.

Clyde turned back around, picking up his pace. “Then what shall I call you?”

“I already told you I don’t know my name.” Hunching over a bit, she jogged to catch up.

He moved to the side to give her room. “You might as well make one.”

“Why?” She exhaled noisily, watching the concrete tiles pass underfoot. “Does no one else know what my name is?”

He shrugged. “There are only four of us here, so I’d very much doubt it.”

Her pace lulled before she hurried up. “Four of what? Your gang?”

“Oh, no.” His shoulders bobbed with another chuckle. “Four people. Two of them being you and I.”

She walked without reply, observing the empty buildings and roads. They didn’t look much different from any others she had passed.

He watched her head swivel before starting, “The place goes on forever. Loops round on itself.” After a while of receiving no response, he grinned. “Have you already given up on understanding?”

She didn’t turn to look at him. “Just lead me to someone else.”

He laughed grandly. “Will do, lass. Will do.”