WILL POV-

---- 23rd March; 1:34 AM ----

The brunette stumbled out the bar; it is his birthday, well... WAS his birthday. He'd been in the club since 10 PM; almost partying for over four hours prior. He wasn't completely drunk yet, upon declaring it was his birthday, the other patrons of the club plied him with alcohol in celebration; even giving him a sash and a big pin that said '21st' written over it. "Everyone is soo nice on your birthday!" he mumbled.

As the lights flickered and the cacophony of music gradually faded into the background, he found himself onto the bustling streets; the night was loud, yet his house was far away. He held a hand to his head attempting to recalibrate himself as he blinked; the alcohol coursing through his veins as the world seemed to sway and blur; a kaleidoscope of colours and sounds.

Will leaned against the wall, taking a few more steps, giggling under his breath. He was waiting for a taxi to arrive, "I'm an adult!" chuckling under his breath.

His father could never know he left the house; he wasn't allowed to leave after sunset; no, he wasn't a bad kid... his dad was just really strict; Lonnie Byers was always a strict man. Glancing around at the deserted street feeling a strange blend of exhilaration and guilt, his strict curfew had been imposed on him since he was born, restricting his freedom and preventing him from fully experiencing the world outside his small town.

"But tonight was different!" Will smiled, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes; he thought about his father's stern lectures, the countless times he had been scolded for doing something his father didn't like. He wasn't allowed to live the life he wanted to, and wasn't even allowed to go to college. Being the only child with a single father... he didn't really have anyone on his side to defend him.

The night breeze brushed against his flushed cheeks, a gentle reminder of the night wind. Feeling slightly guilty for disobeying his father's rules that hung in his head, he was afraid of what his father would say or do if he found out. He shivered, the last time he snuck out the results... weren't pretty.

With a shaky breath, he shook his head, trying not to ruin his night by thinking about that. Straightening his posture, his mind filled with uncertainty and determination. "He won't find out..." He promised himself, his voice quiet. "Now I need to just find a taxi!" he whined, jumping up and down.

Pushing himself off the wall, he took a few unsteady steps away from the club toward the road. Walking along the sidewalk, the brunette continued to mumble to himself, a jumble of thoughts and feelings pouring out. He spoke of his silly dreams and the adventures he would sneak out to go to in the future.

"I'm not gonna let my dad define me!" he grumbled, a hint of rebellion in his voice. The words held heavy in the air, repeating a mantra for his independence. Upon standing on the side of the sidewalk, Will held his hand to the air, flagging down a nearby taxi.

A bright glow emitted from the headlights as the brunette covered his face; his eyes burning from the lights. The driver leaned over rolling down the window, revealing a warm smile on his face; he was a middle-age man with a bald spot, seeming like a genuine father-figure just trying to help.

"Hey Buddy! Need a ride?" The driver called out, his voice grinning with amusement.

Will's blurry vision focused on the man, taking in his every feature as a lopsided grin spread across his face. Childishly, he nodded, leaning back over to the frame of the open window, "Yeah! It's my birthday!" he cheered

The driver smiled, an understanding smile on his face realising the state of his passenger, "Well, Happy Birthday to you! Get in!"

The brunette fumbled for a moment, fiddling with the handle of the backseat, slipping in.

"Where to, birthday boy?" the driver questioned.

The brunette racked his thoughts though his own alcohol-induced fog clouded his mind, "Um, home... just home please!"

The driver chuckled, "And where is home?" he questioned slowly.

"Oh... Can you just drop me off near Melvalds... it's close to there!" the brunette slurred.

As the taxi driver nodded, pulling away from the curb, he engaged Will in light-hearted conversation. He asked about the brunette's day and shared a few humorous stories from his own teens. Their conversation a blend of laughter and nostalgia. The small boy found solace in this drivers' company even in his intoxicated state.

The brunette clutched his phone in his hand, periodically checking the screen, in the case that his father might call or find out where he was so he could... prepare. Suddenly, the driver hit the brakes with a jolt causing Will to lose balance; his phone slipping from his grasp and beneath the front seat.

"Ow!" The small boy exclaimed, rubbing his forehead where it bumped the seat ahead of him. He could feel a slight throbbing sensation, but wasn't sure if the pain was the alcohol or the sudden impact.

"Sorry!" the driver claimed; a genuine apologetic tone lacing his words, "There was something on the road."

Determined to retrieve the phone, Will unbuckled his seatbelt, his balance still skewed. He leaned forward, stretching beneath the seat, his fingertips grazing the edge of his phone.

However, in his slight intoxicated state, his frustrations began building, struggling; barely touching its surface. "Come on, come on," Will whined, his voice barely a whisper.

Immediately, Will raised his eyebrows, turning his attention to sounds of struggling and yelling from the front seat. He could see the driver fighting with a masked figure; the brunette's heart raced, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he watched the scene unfold before him. He remained frozen, unable to say anything or intervene.

In a desperate final pull, the criminal managed to overpower the driver, yanking him out the car and leaving him sprawled out on the paved roads; he was alive, luckily. The driver's attempt to protect himself and Will, only leaving him injured on the side of the road.

Seizing the opportunity, the masked figure swiftly jumped into the driver's seat, slamming the car door shut behind him. The engine roared to life as the car accelerated away, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake behind them.

The car sped off, leaving Will disoriented and shaken. He quickly assessed his situation, realising he was trapped in the backseat with a dangerous criminal at the wheel. Ducking down to the floor, he balled into himself; his head between his knees. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the unfolding situation. To his astonishment, the criminal removed his mask; unveiling his face.

From the rearview mirror, Will saw the young man; in the dimly lit interior of the car, his eyes widened as he took in the criminal's features. His hair raven and slightly dishevelled from the ski-mask, framing a pale face that radiated determination. Will found himself momentarily captivated by the ravenette's beauty. Confusion washed over the brunette as he shook his head; he shouldn't be thinking about the criminal's attractiveness at a time like this. His mind raced, casting back to the task at hand.

Attempting to maintain a semblance of composure in his drunken state, Will's hands trembled, intending to call the police for help. However, before he could even unlock his phone, his movements alerted the ravenette. The realisations sent a shiver down the brunette's spine as the tall man turned around.

In that tense moment, their eyes locked...

Shit! 

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1337 Words

Remember to check out my other books, 'Panic in the Movies', 'Project Playdate', 'Comic Catastrophe' and 'Siren'

:)

This is just the pilot chapter for the new book... I'm just testing the waters with this idea! So i hope this chapter wasn't too boring.

Stay Safe <3