Chapter 9- Taking Risks

Chapter 9-Taking Risks

     I have been up and around from the hospital for about 3 weeks now. I have a back brace too. What an annoying thing to have. I cant do any back flips, even front flips or back or front handsprings. It's so boring when people try to help you and stuff when you can walk around perfectly fine. I was thinking all of this when I bumped into someone when I was walking down a staircase towards a IM. "Who can this be? I didn't see anyone as I was walking down the steps and everyone else is in there rooms and lounges." I thought. I turned back around and saw Dave. Few, it was only him. Not like that scene a couple days ago when I got stabbed. It was like one of those dramatic horror movies. "Hi Dave! How are you? I haven't seen you lately. Why haven't you been with me since your my, um, bodyguard?" "Well, to be honest, I'm very surprised that no one told you. I have been appointed to Malcom's bodyguard slash supervisor. He has some very good information, you know? Just he has some, how do I explain it, oh yes. Confused and anger management issues sometimes. I guess, maybe, flash backs from being with Hell. Just a guess." "You have been assigned to him? What? But, but, you're my bodyguard. Not his. Who's mine now?" "Well, technically I'm his, now. Your's is, um..." "Who is it?!" I shouted in his face. "Oh, yes! I remember. Your brother." My face was hot red now and I felt like it I touched it I would burn myself. "What? But, he's, he's, my brother?" "Just kidding." he said with a bit of childish cheek. "You such a meany!" I tried to say in an angry voice, but it just came out with a laugh and I started laughing, laughing so hard, I had to sit down. I don't know why it made me laugh so much, it just did, even though it wasn't super funny. Maybe I just needed a bit of humor to brighten my day and that was it. I then realized he hadn't answered my question. I sat up straight and starred him in the eyes. "Who is my bodyguard then?"
     There was a bit of silence. I felt frozen because I wanted to know so bad. I starting unfreeze a little when he started talking, "Your new bodyguard is the brother to one of Gloriana's bodyguards, he was her's too, but she assigned him to you. His name is Liam." I frowned at him. "I don't like him. He's, he's..." "Well your stuck with him. And, wait a minute, you've never even met him, so, you can't criticize him. " "But he's, he's only 2 years older than me." I shouted. Not caring if anyone else heard. "I'm surprised you know that. But anyways, he's been training since he was five and is just as good as me. Don't do anything bad, OK? Or, something you'll regret. Promise me that?" Right when he he was not my bodyguard anymore, I was mad and even sort of furious, but I couldn't say no to a promise from Dave. "I promise I won't do anything stupid." "Thanks." He said cheerfully and started up the stairs. I guess he was pleasantly surprised he didn't have to argue with me to make me promise. Then I remembered something. "Wait! Wait! Dave! Where is my bodyguard now then? I haven't had anyone or any bodyguard with me for 3 weeks, now." And I couldn't help, but add "And it's felt so good. I finally found out what was making me so happy the past few weeks. I haven't had anyone following me around and stuff!" I then realized that could be offensive to him as he was the one following me around. "I'm sorry! I didn't..." "It's fine. I know what you mean. And I'm not just saying it. I have to go. You be good." he interrupted and then walked off. He didn't answer my question I thought.
    After I stood still for a moment or two, I started again walking down the staircase, probably late for IM now, as I was probably talking to Dave for about 10 to 15 minutes, but Gloriana never really minded as long as I was there sometime, so she could start things. I don't know why she wouldn't just get mad at me, maybe she realizes we are both under a lot of pressure. I heard foot steps, coming from below me, on one of the marble staircase platforms. I looked down and saw to boys about 17 and 18. One of them said to the other "Have you seen her yet, Fred?" "No, I haven't Liam. I would of told you if I had. Wouldn't I?" "Ya, I know you would. Which way should we go to look for her?" I little light bulb suddenly turned on in my head. They were looking for me! When I realized they were coming up my way, I decided I needed to hide. They are only 2 staircases down now. There is no hiding space on the wall on one side of the staircase. They're coming nearer, now, I thought. I started to panic.
   I then thought of an idea. I quietly tip-toed, quickly to the railings on the wide, marble staircase. The staircase went down about 70 floors and up about maybe 60. The width between where I was on the staircase to the other side of the open space where the staircase tilted down in a large circle was about, I don't know, 30 feet. I could now see the two boys coming closer and closer. Ideas were rushing through my head. I was thinking quite hard when an idea came into my head. I had heard once there were hand bars underneath a couple of the staircases. So, I decided I would risk it. At just the right moment, when the boys were at there blind spot, which was where I was, I climbed over the railings, and let my legs dangle freely with my hands holding on to two posts. I then ducked my head to see if there we hand bars under the staircase. I couldn't see. Darn it, I thought. I decided I would have to risk it again. I would have to make myself swing, then let go when my body was tilted in towards the staircase platform and stairs below me. And on the count of three I would have to go I thought. Right when the boys were going to pass me. And if I didn't go on the count of three, they would see my hands and catch me. But if I did go on the count of three and there were no hand bars I would fall to the ground. Down, Down, Down... I thought. Then I started counting. One, Two, Three... and I jumped.
    My hands scrambled above me. And I had no luck. I found no hand bars above me. I started falling to the  ground. In about 2 seconds I would hit the railing, with my stomach, and fall, fall, fall... but before I hit the ground, my hand clung onto something.