Runaway 3

After school hours. Bella is leaving the school through the main entrance when a guy sneaks up on her, forcefully drags her to a corner and points a penknife to her stomach without anyone noticing.

BELLA: Who-who are you? What do you want from me? (Scared)

"Shh... no noise, sweety... no noise"

BELLA: Let go of me now or I'll scream. (Trying to free herself from his grip)

"You scream, you bleed". He drives the knife deeper, almost piercing her skin.

BELLA: Okay okay, I won't scream, I promise. Just tell me what you want so you can let me go, please.

"Good girl. Now hand over your phone... and those pictures"

BELLA: I'm not giving you my phone. And what pictures are you talking about?

"Don't take me for a fool, cunt. Gimme the damn phone you used to record Matilda's conversation and the fucking pictures of Bob!"

BELLA: I dunno what you're talking about! (She manages to hit him on his groin and tries to run but he grips her again)

"Arrgh!" He groans. "You cunt, you fucking cunt! Don't make me hurt you. My knife is thirsty and your blood is appetizing. Hand them over now or I'll..."

BELLA: Alright, alright! They're in my bag, the second zip.

"Bitch!" He grabs them and lets her go.

BELLA: How the hell did Matilda find out? Now I've got nothing on her, everything's gone, damn it!

Later that day, Marcello's apartment.

Marcello is seated tiredly on the couch, quenching his thirst with a cold bottle of beer. His letterman jacket is still hanging on his shoulder and his school bag is beside him.

TYLER: Hey, big guy. Just got back?

MARCELLO: Minutes ago.

TYLER: How was the match?

MARCELLO: Shitty.

TYLER: You guys lost?

MARCELLO: If we didn't, would I say it was shitty?

TYLER: I'm... sorry.

MARCELLO: Hey! No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't take out my frustration on you.

TYLER: I know how you feel.

MARCELLO: Do you? We were initially ahead of them, next thing we know, they equalize, and just a couple touchdowns, the scoreboard is in their favour. It all happened so fast.

TYLER: I know what that feels like, believe me.

MARCELLO: That's by the way. Dude, we've got a problem.

TYLER: A problem?

MARCELLO: On my way back from school, I noticed a poster on a wall, a few blocks from here. It has your picture on it and it says you're missing.

TYLER: Are you joking right now?

MARCELLO: Of all the things to joke about, I'd decide to pick this? What do you expect, man? You've been away for more than two days, you need to go home, your family's looking for you.

TYLER: I should go home to continue my house arrest? Great idea, I'll just order an ankle monitor from eBay.

MARCELLO: Drop the sarcasm, man. You don't even have your phone with you. They can't reach you, they don't even know if you're alive, they're damn worried!

TYLER: I know, I know! I'll go home, but not now...

MARCELLO: When?

TYLER: Gimme a few days.

MARCELLO: You said that a few days ago.

TYLER: Alright, two days, man. Two days and I'm out, I promise.

MARCELLO: Okay. Two days.

TYLER: For the mean time, do you know any cool spot where we could chill and... you know... have some drinks?

MARCELLO: Drinks? You don't need to act tough around me.

TYLER: Quit massaging your narcissistic ego, I seriously need a drink.

MARCELLO: There's some milk in the fridge then.

TYLER: Stop playing with me, man.

MARCELLO: Alright (He chuckles). Let's go to Ashland Blues, it's a bar, not to far from here.

TYLER: What? No way.

MARCELLO: Don't worry, no one's gonna ask about your age, I know a few guys there, they won't say nothing as long as I'm around.

TYLER: No, you don't get it. I can't go there.

MARCELLO: Why not? It's a really amazing place and...

TYLER: My mom works there.

MARCELLO: Oh...

TYLER: She runs a night shift on Mondays, so she'll be there now. Is there no other place?

MARCELLO: There are a few, how about Neon Hub? It's a cool place and you'd find a lot of teenagers there.

TYLER: You should have suggested this first.

MARCELLO: It's kinda far.

TYLER: So far... so good.

11:09pm, Neon Hub.

It is a noisy and busy place especially at nights, that is why the whole place is soundproofed but one can hear the raving music that escapes the door each time it is opened. It has a club setting but is not exactly a club. Cars are still driving in and out of the parking lot when Marcello and Tyler come out through the exit.

MARCELLO: Tyler, you've had enough. (Grabbing the bottle from him and putting it away)

TYLER: Dude, I wa-want more... (staggering)

MARCELLO: Sure you can walk?

TYLER: Ye-yeah, sure. Wh-why not? (Moving without balance)

MARCELLO: I was just surprised to see you gulp down three bottles of beer aside taking four shots of vodka earlier. I mean, for a dude your age, that's pretty amazing! (Laughing)

TYLER: Yeah man, I'm-I'm the... (he falls to the ground, passing out)

MARCELLO: Tyler, Tyler! Shit! Told you you couldn't handle it but you just wouldn't listen! (Lifting him and carrying him on his shoulders to the end of the parking lot where he parked his motorcycle)

"Hey, what's wrong with him?" A guy asks. He is standing next to his car, close to Marcello's motorcycle. He sees them approaching, wondering why he is carrying Tyler.

MARCELLO: Nothing serious. He just had a lot to drink and now he's wasted. (Gently dropping Tyler on the ground so he can start his motorcycle)

"Haven't I seen this face somewhere?" The guy ponders in his mind, looking at Tyler. "Nice build" He turns to Marcello. "You work out often?"

MARCELLO: Routine. (He scoffs). Thanks.

"Nice! Great physique, man. You mind if I take a quick shot?" He takes out a mini camera.

MARCELLO: Put away the camera, dude. We gotta establish some familiarity first, don't you think?

"Right. Of course... sorry"

MARCELLO: Some other time... perhaps. (He eyes the guy briefly before getting Tyler on the motorcycle and zooming off)

Just then, the guy notices a complimentary card on the ground, same spot where the motorcycle was initially parked.

"He must have dropped this" Picking up the card.

Marcello Smith — Your handy man

+1 (4*3) 2*8-4**7

East drive, 25, Pebble St.

Ashland, Michigan

"This is even better than a photograph of him" The guy chuckles.