~HEARTBEAT OF HOPE~

~Hope is the thing with feathers-That perches in our Soul-~

- Emily Dickinson

Song - The Hills by The Weeknd.

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As they ran away from the chaos, Sophie and Aubrey didn't dare look back. They knew the police and Victor's men were closing in on them. They had to keep moving.

They finally reached the park nearby and spotted a sleek, black jeep parked by the curb. Without hesitation, Sophie grabbed Aubrey's arm and pulled him towards the vehicle.

Aubrey followed, his eyes widening in surprise. "You're going to steal that car?" he asked, his voice incredulous.

Sophie didn't respond. Instead, she sprinted towards the jeep, her eyes fixed on the door handle. Aubrey followed close behind, his heart racing with fear.

As they reached the car, Sophie didn't hesitate. She raised her elbow and smashed it into the driver's side window. The glass shattered, and Sophie quickly reached inside to unlock all the doors. She clicked the unlock button, and all the doors clicked open.

Aubrey's eyes widened in awe. "You've got a habit of stealing parked vehicles, huh?" he breathed.

Sophie flashed him a quick smile. "Just the ones that are easy to steal."

A gun was shot at Sophie's direction, luckily she escaped the bullet by bending over. Her heart skipped when she saw Victor's men running towards them.

Aubrey didn't need to be told twice. He quickly climbed into the driver seat, his heart racing with excitement.

Sophie rushed into the passenger's seat and shut the door. "Go, go, go, go!" she ordered Aubrey, looking behind in trepidation.

Aubrey didn't respond to her order, so she shot him an immediate glare. "Come on, drive!" Sophie yelled, her eyes darting back and forth, scanning the surrounding area.

Aubrey kept his eyes on the steering wheel as his heart raced. "I..I can't.."

"There they are, get them!" Sophie heard Victor's men from a distance and her fear grew worse.

"You can't what?" she growled at Aubrey.

"I...can't -"

"What?"

Suddenly, a gun was shot at the back of their car, shattering the glass window.

"I can't drive!!!!!" Aubrey yelled out.

"Are you kidding me?" Sophie shouted. "What the heck are you doing in the driver's seat then?!"

"I don't know."

Sophie's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "You're kidding me, right? The police are going to be here any minute, and Victor's men are right behind us!"

Aubrey looked around frantically, but Sophie was already maneuvering to the driver's seat, sitting on Aubrey's laps. "What do you think you're doing?!" Aubrey exclaimed.

Sophie ignored him as she reached for the ignition. Aubrey realized that Sophie was trying to hotwire the car. "You've done this before, right?" Aubrey asked, his voice laced with concern.

Sophie's hands moved swiftly and precisely, her eyes fixed on the wires. "I've done this before," she said, her voice calm and confident.

Aubrey's eyes widened in surprise. "You've hotwired a car before?" he asked.

Sophie nodded, her hands still working on the wires. "Yeah, I've had to do some pretty crazy things to survive," she said, her voice matter-of-fact.

Aubrey's eyes locked onto Sophie's hair -that was rubbing his face - and for a moment, he forgot about the danger they were in. He forgot about the police and Victor's men. All he could think about was how many cars has this girl stolen?

But before Aubrey could process his thoughts, Sophie exclaimed, "Yes!" as the car's engine roared to life.

Aubrey's eyes snapped back to the present, and he tilted his head to the front, to see what Sophie was doing. Sophie put the car in gear and sped away from the curb, leaving the chaos behind.

As they drove, Sophie's eyes darted back and forth, checking the rearview mirror for any signs of pursuit. Aubrey watched her, mesmerized by her skill and confidence behind the wheel. The skill he wished he had.

But as they approached the first intersection, Sophie slammed on the brakes, and Aubrey's heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice tight with anxiety.

Sophie's eyes were fixed on the road ahead. "The police," she whispered. "They're blocking the road."

Aubrey's heart sank. They were trapped. Victor's men were probably closing in on them, and the police had them blocked in.

But Sophie didn't panic. She quickly put the car in reverse and sped backward, narrowly avoiding a collision with a parked car.

Aubrey's eyes were wide with fear as Sophie expertly maneuvered the car through the narrow streets. They weaved in and out of traffic, dodging pedestrians and cars.

But no matter how fast they drove, the police were always one step behind. Aubrey could hear the sirens blaring, getting closer and closer.

Sophie's face was set in a determined expression, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. Aubrey knew that she was their only hope for escape.

As they approached another intersection, Sophie slammed on the brakes again, and Aubrey's heart skipped another beat. "What's wrong now?" he asked, his voice tight with anxiety.

Sophie's eyes were fixed on the road ahead. "Victor's men," she whispered. "They're blocking the road."

As they drove, Aubrey could hear the sound of gunfire and screeching tires. The police and Victor's men were engaged in a fierce battle, and Sophie was driving them right through the middle of it.

Aubrey's eyes were wide with fear as Sophie expertly maneuvered the car through the chaos. They weaved in and out of traffic, dodging bullets and cars.

As they drove, the tension in the air slowly dissipated. Sophie's grip on the steering wheel relaxed, and Aubrey's knuckles unclenched from the door handle.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Sophie let out a deep breath and smiled. "I think we lost them," she said, her eyes glinting with triumph.

Aubrey grinned, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "Yeah, I think you're right."

Sophie laughed, a throaty, confident sound. "I'm that!" She pulled over in a secluded area and exhaled in relief.

Aubrey shook his head, grinning. He was glad they made it out alive. "My legs hurt."

Sophie raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Girl, you're sitting on my lap."

Sophie's eyes widened, realizing she was indeed on his laps. She nervously sprinted off his laps and she leaned back in her seat, clearing her throat.

As they sat there awkwardly, the silence between them was fraught, filled with the sound of the wind rushing past the windows.

After a while, Aubrey spoke up, his voice low and thoughtful. "Hey?"

Sophie turned to him, her eyes questioning. "Yeah?"

"What's going on with you and that guy?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Sophie's expression darkened, and she looked away, her eyes fixed on the oak tree in front of them. "It's complicated," she said, her voice tight.

"I'm listening," he said, his voice soft.

Sophie took a deep breath, her eyes still fixed on the oak tree. "Victor...he's been after me for a while now," she said, her voice low and even. "I used to work for him in the past, and I owe him about $10,000. I just don't have that money right now, but that nigga dosen't understand."

Aubrey's eyes narrowed, studying Sophie . "I'll help you," he said, his voice firm.

Sophie turned to him, her eyes searching. "Why would you help me?"

"Because you need help," he said, his voice simple. "And I kinda owe you."

"For what?"

"For disrespecting you at the casino. I'm sorry." He managed to apologize, which his mother asked him to do.

Sophie's eyes held his for a moment, and then she looked away, her expression softening. "Thanks," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aubrey creased his brows, wondering if she accepted his apology. She just said 'thanks.'

"But, no thanks," Sophie completed, getting out of the car. Aubrey's face fell, and he felt a pang of disappointment. He got out of the car, following Sophie as she walked away.

"Hey, wait," Aubrey said, catching up to Sophie. "What do you mean, 'no thanks'?"

Sophie turned to him, staring at him boredly. "I mean, I don't need your help," she said, her voice clear and firm. "I can take care of myself."

"Come on," he said, his voice low and urgent. "You can't just walk away from this."

Sophie's expression didn't change. "I can handle this myself, I don't need your protection or help, got that?"

Aubrey's brows rose in astonishment. He realized that Sophie was more independent than he had thought.

"Fine," Aubrey said, his voice low and resigned. "If that's how you feel, then I'll leave you alone."

"Good," she stated firmly. "I can take care of myself."

With that, she carried on walking away. Aubrey couldn't just let her go, he felt like something was missing.

"Yo, wait up," he fastened his pace to hers. Sophie paused with a groan, turning to face Aubrey.

"What now?"

"You're just gonna leave like that? I never even got your name."

Sophie's expression was a mixture of amusement and annoyance. "So? Are you gonna force me into another kiss?" she asked sacarstically, folding her arms.

Aubrey sighed and  took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Sophie's. "I already apologized, okay?" Sophie just rolled her eyes.

"And I just...I don't know, I feel like I should know your name," he said, his voice sincere.

"My name was called out alot of times in your presence this evening, and you didn't grab it?"

Aubrey shook his head with a shrug. "I didn't take note."

"That means my name dosen't matter," Sophie said, turning to leave.

"A'ight, a'ight, I'm sorry," Aubrey held her back. "Just tell me your name, please?"

Sophie raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Sophie," she said, her voice low and husky.

Aubrey's eyes lit up, and he smiled. "Sophie," he repeated, his voice smooth. "I'm Aubrey," he extended his hand for a handshake.

Sophie stared at his hand, before staring back at him. "I didn't ask."

Aubrey felt a little embarrassed by her gesture, so he pulled his hand back, but paused when Sophie accepted his handshake.

"Nice to meet you."

As they stood there, watching each other, Aubrey felt a sense of awkwardness wash over him. He didn't know what to say or do next.

Sophie, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. She stood with her hands on her hips, a small smile playing on her lips.

"I guess I'll see you around," Aubrey said finally, breaking the silence.

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Maybe," she said.

Aubrey felt a pang of disappointment. He was hoping that she would say something more, something that would indicate that she was interested in seeing him again.

But instead, she just turned and walked away, leaving Aubrey standing there feeling confused.

As he watched her go, Aubrey couldn't help but feel drawn to her. There was something about her that he couldn't quite put his finger on, something that made him want to know more about her.

He stood there for a moment, watching her disappear into the crowd. He hoped she would turn back to look at him, that'll indicate that she might have an interest in him. But Sophie just kept walking, not looking back.

With a sigh, he turned to walk away, wondering if he would ever see her again. Just then, Sophie paused, turning to get a quick glimpse at Aubrey before turning back.

Aubrey couldn't contain the excitement within him. She had turned back! She had looked at him!

As Aubrey walked, he felt his heart beat just thinking about Sophie. He had been so caught up in the moment, so focused on trying to figure out what was going on, that he hadn't even thought to ask for her number.

Now, as he walked away from the scene, he made a note to himself that he had to see Sophie again.

                ⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Sophie walked away from the scene, her heart still racing from the excitement. She had been so caught up in the moment, so focused on getting away from Victor's men, that she hadn't even acknowledged the guy who had helped her.

As she walked home, she couldn't help but think about him. Who was he, and why had he helped her?

She shook her head, chuckling to herself. It didn't matter who he was or why he had helped her. What mattered was that she was safe, and that she had gotten away from Victor's men.

Sophie felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had been running from Victor's men for what felt like centuries, and she was finally free.

She took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill her lungs. She was safe, and she was free.

And as she walked away from the scene, Sophie couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could live the best moments of her life within this short period of time.

Only time would tell.

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A/N

Thank you for reading, please vote and comment your thoughts.

CiCi 🌹