New Orleans, Louisiana

"Roger...," someone whispers behind me menacingly.

Stopping to catch my breath isn't an option. I don't even know where I am going.

The stranger had caught me, hours ago, and broke my glasses when he punched me repeatedly in the face.

My left eye is swollen and I'm nursing a bloody nose.

He is after me and I feel like there's nowhere to hide!

I can't do it anymore, I tell myself as I bend over, my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. I feel like I've been running non-stop for hours. Darkness is now creeping up on me and I'm past exhausted but I must keep running!

A street lamp shines above me like a spotlight. I look around in a panic and run towards a black, parked car, resting my hand on it. Looking around, I search hastily for the person who's after me.

I instantly still when I catch my reflection on the car window. The person staring back is me, but unrecognizable.

I can't believe it!

Slowly touching my face, I make sure the image looking back at me is, in fact, me.

I wince in pain!

Whoever this maniac is clearly has a vendetta. I will not give up until I feel safe again!

However, that will prove impossible. Every way I turn, I feel more lost.

Where are the police when you need them the most?!

I look up. Through the dark sky and gray clouds, I see a bolt of lightning. Dread washes over me. At this point, I am out of breath and out of will. Breathing hurts, running hurts, everything hurts! However, I can't stop. The moment I do, that young man will find me and kill me.

Clutching to my arm, I sob in pain as I remember what led to this.

Two hours ago

"Mr. Olsen, sir? How's the campaign going?"

My driver, bodyguard, and I were sitting at a red light. I looked up from the newspaper at my driver. I smiled at him as we made eye contact through the rearview mirror.

"It's going great, Matthew! I am up in the polls by forty points," I said winking at him.

"I've said it from the beginning, sir! You'll definitely get that Senate seat. After that, the White House," Jared, my bodyguard, said turning to me from the passenger seat, with a smile on his face.

I chuckle. "Now, now! One thing at a time. I don't even know if I want the presidency." This was true. "I just want to do my part and help out the great state of Louisiana. That's all!"

"Don't be so modest, sir!" Jared said turning around.

The light had just turned green when two bullets, coming through the windshield, had hit my driver and bodyguard in their heads.
I gasped and leaned forward, covering my head, as both men slumped in their seats. This isn't real! My mouth opened to yell in horror but no sound resonated.

I hurriedly stumbled out of the car looking around. What had just happened?! I continued looking around and couldn't see anything or anyone. Staring back into the car, I see Jared and Matthew. They were in fact, dead.

In a panic, I tried to pull my cell phone out of my pocket but it falls onto the street. I bend over quickly to retrieve it but I felt intense pain on my left forearm. I glanced down at it and saw a small, black knife protruding from it. I yelled in pain as I pulled it out and ran! Someone was trying to kill me!

I ran for my life!

Present

I look up from the car window when I suddenly hear laughter and music a few blocks away.

Mardi Gras!

Maybe if I run into that crowd of partiers, I will lose him!

I run down the street, turning every now and then to see if he is still behind me. Unless he is hiding behind the parked cars, I can't see him! However, I know he's out there. Watching me. Waiting.

I make it!

My running turns to a slow pace, as happy partygoers surround me. I heave a sigh of relief as I look around.

Colorful lights illuminate every corner of the street in the French corridor. The sounds of laughter and music surround me as I look for a place to hide. I bump into young and old as they celebrate such a joyous occasion here in New Orleans. There are so many people here. Surely he wouldn't find me here.

I need to use this crowd as protection. I don't want the man to find me. If he does, this big gash on my arm will be the least of my problems.

In the middle of the crowd, I turn, bumping into someone. I still don't see him.

"Hey, watch it old man!" Yelled a young, blonde woman.

"I-I am so sorry!" I let go of my wound and hold up my bloody hand at her. She takes one look at it and makes a face of utter disgust. I begin to turn away from her when I see him.

The man dressed in all black is standing a few feet away from me. He starts to walk towards me, slowly, as panic rises in me. It was like a lion getting ready to pounce on its prey.

I have to get away from him! But how?

"No!" I yell. I grab my bleeding arm and run up the street, bumping into more oblivious individuals. "Please, someone help me!"

I grab onto anyone who will look at me. When they turn and see I have left my blood on them, they lash out and walk away from me.

"What the f-!" Yells a tall, young man.

He sees the blood I have left on his shoulder. He suddenly grabs me by my collar and pulls me towards him. A look of pure rage and repugnance on his face. I try to tell him I need help. Tears slide down my face.

"Please, help me! I beg you! I am Senate-nominee Roger Olsen! Someone is after me!" I yell as I point towards the crowd.

The young man doesn't want to hear it. Instead, he pushes me to the ground. I land on my left knee, causing me to yell in excruciating pain.

"Please, he's after me!" I continue to sob, pointing towards the area where the stranger is. The young partygoer and I look in that direction.

He's gone!

"You're bat crazy man! And if you're Olsen, I'm the queen of England!" He turns around, looking at his friends. Hatred and disgust are written all over his face.

"Look what that old asshole did! He probably got his ass kicked for stealing." He looks at his arm and walks away, showing his friends the blood I left on him. His friends laugh.

I struggle to get up. At my age, it's very difficult. The more I run, the more it feels like my knees will give up on me.

I can't believe this was happening to me! No one even recognizes me.

Once I'm on my two feet, I limp further up the block, hiding between people as I search for him. Everyone around me is still unmindful of who I am or who is after me.

I wince in pain looking around. I don't know which hurt most now.

My bleeding arm or my throbbing knee.

I immediately stop and decide against going further up. He will find me for sure. I've been running for hours now. I don't know how, but he is there, every which way I turn. I am terrified!

I have to hide and fast!

Turning around, I spot an alleyway. Trying to gather the last of my strength, I begin to limp toward it.

I cautiously step into the alley. It's dark and damp. My mind races as I keep looking behind me.

I decide to walk against the wall, making sure I am hidden in its darkness. I hold my breath as I press my back against the damp wall, carefully looking up and down the alley. I don't want him to walk by and see me.

Sighing in relief, I close my eyes and put my head against the wall.

I am someone who has always vowed to good all their life. And I have, always. So who is this man? What kind of torture is this? What have I done in a previous life to deserve such torment?

After a minute or so, I begin my shuffle again. Limping through the agonizing pain in my knees and clutching my bleeding arm. I need a doctor.

I'm halfway through the alley when I hear something fall behind me. I pale as I turn quickly!

Nothing.

I am in so much pain and it's becoming difficult to breathe. The sweat dripping from my forehead falls into my eyes, making it harder for me to distinguish anything. I squint, trying to detect movement down the alley. The wind suddenly starts to pick up and thunder roars above me.

A storm is coming.

There is a dumpster on the right side. Not paying attention, I almost trip trying to get to there. It causes more pain to radiate from my knee up to my hip.

Once I got my bearings, I am able to sit on the table next to the dumpster.

Just five minutes.

All I need is five minutes to catch my breath, rest my now swollen knee, and try to cover up the big gash on my arm.

Shivering, I feel the wind is starting to pick up. I look around to see if I can find anything to cover my bleeding arm.

"Roger," someone whispers my name.

I immediately jump up from the table. My heart hops into my throat. I am so scared! Did he find me?!

I cautiously begin to limp to the front of the dumpster. I place my hand on it and slowly peek my head around.

There is no one there. I sigh in relief.

This is definitely a sign that it's time to move. No doubt he will find me soon.

Unless he already has.

I begin to move away when I feel a hand behind my back. Another hand grabs the back of my neck and I am lifted into the air! The person slams me against the dumpster and then throws me onto the table, breaking it!

The wind is knocked out of me.

Tears blur my vision. I close my eyes as I grab my back, pain radiating up to my neck. It's excruciating!I slowly open my eyes to see my assailant, but no one is there! However, I know better. He is there. He's always been there! Like a game of cat and mouse. He has his paw on my tail.

I turn slowly onto my back, coughing and crying.

"Please," I whimper, trying to crawl away. "Who are you?! Why are you doing this?!" I look all around, terrified to see him.

The man suddenly walks into view in front of me. He slowly bends over and stands me up by my collar. I groan in pain as I try to remove myself from his grasp.

"Roger Olsen," he maliciously says as he pushes me violently against a wall. I am mortified.

A flash of lightning lights up the alleyway. For a split second, I can see my attacker.

However, there's nothing to see. He's in a black suit, black sunglasses, and stands in front of me showing no emotion at all.

Thunder roars around us!

"H-How do you know my name?! Please, tell me why you are doing this!" I cry out.

I hold my shaky hands in front of my face, bracing for the next attack. What is he going to do with me?! Tears will not stop running down my cheeks.

The man pulls a phone out from inside his jacket. He hit two buttons and holds the phone between us. I look around terrified and confused as he just stares at me. Never moving an inch. The phone rings a couple of times and suddenly a woman picks up.

"Hello," says a familiar, cheery voice.

"Hello?" I ask puzzled. I continue to look around, praying someone will stumble into the alley and see us.

"Roger?" The female asks over the phone.

I snap my head towards the attacker and look at the phone. I know that voice!

"Lori!?" I am so relieved. I exhale. "Oh, God! Lori, listen to me! There's a madman here! I don't know what he wants! He's standing in front of me. Help-!"

The man and I look up when we both see the downpour of rain that comes out of nowhere. Another sound of deafening thunder roars around us.

I look back at him as he produces a gun and holds it against my neck. I gulp and utter a single word.

"I know, Roger. I know he's going to kill you," Lori says nonchalantly.

What?!

My blood runs cold as she continues to speak. "I hired him to do it."

I start to shake due to fright. The alley begins to sway and my stomach begins to turn. All of this is because of her?!

I've known Lori since high school. Over forty years. Why would she hire someone to kill me?!

"Why?! I don't understand! Why are you doing this to me?! We've been friends for a long time," I say beginning to sob.

"Yes. I know that. But...you see, it's important that I get that senate seat. You're my only competition and I need you out of the way. You are obviously going to win and I don't want that to happen. I have big plans for myself. I will take anyone out that stops me from becoming president one day."

Sinking into the wall, I realize her words.

I am going to die here.

As I look down at the gun, the man dressed in all black extends his fingers on the butt of the gun and grips it tightly.

"Oh and don't worry! I will look after your wife and daughters. I promise." Her voice sounds cold.

More tears continue to escape my eyes. If she's capable of doing this to me, no way will she care for my family.

"Kill him now. And I want that proof," Lori says casually. The line goes dead.

"Lori, please, no! Don't do this to me! " I cry out, looking around. "Please, anyone! Help me!" I yell at the top of my lungs.

No one hears me. Between the loud music playing on the street, the thunder, and now the rain, no one will suspect anything in a dark alley.

The man places his phone back in his pocket and then takes off his sunglasses, placing it in his breast pocket.

The rain starts to fall faster and angrier. Thunder cracks in the distance. It's as if the storm is cheering the man on, giving him the perfect cover for what he is about to do. I have no say in anything of this. Destiny blindsided me with this.

My hands continue to shake as I hold my bleeding arm. These are my final moments on earth. I close my eyes, thinking of my beautiful family and how they will never see me again.

"Don't be afraid," he whispers as I hear him cock his gun. Lightning suddenly brightens the entire alley. That's when I get a real, good look at his face.

His piercing, green eyes have me frozen in place. They convey no emotion at all. Just a sinister look like he has done this countless times before.

These emerald eyes are the last thing I see before he put his gun to my forehead. I close my eyes and immediately drop my hands to my side. "You don't have to do this. Please," I whisper to him. I choke back a sob.

I open my eyes again as the man tilts his head to the side and nods. He pulls the trigger twice, making sure I am dead.