Chapter 3

My heart is pounding against my chest as I run through the crowd of people going to and from work, knowing that at any minute the cops will catch up to me. Clutching the files close to my chest I look for some form of escape and notice a bus beginning to stop near the sidewalk.

"Marie wait!"

Is he talking to me? Stealing a glance from behind I notice three agents and the man I ran into running after me! I immediately enter the bus without hesitation and shove people out of my way to get to the very back. I can spot the Asian agent through the window trying to make his way to the bus and I let out a sigh of relief as the bus begins to re-enter traffic and leave him in the dust.

Frantically flipping through the files I get to the W section and take it out. Folding it up and putting it in my shoe I wait on the edge of my seat ready to run at the sight of a red light, what I love about agents is that their SUV's have no sirens so if they want to board the bus they'll have to wait for a red light considering we are in the middle of traffic.

The instant the light turned red I was out of there and running back into the streets, lighter now that I didn't need to carry all of the files. Horns blared complete with cursing from the drivers as I made my way through traffic. It felt like I was playing frogger in real life! I take a quick peak behind me to see the agents still after me and keep running taking a quick turn into an alley. There's a door on one of the walls which I take the liberty of opening and hiding in the room it contains. I can hear their footsteps thunder past the alleyway. Thank god.

After a good ten minutes I let myself relax and carefully, silently open the door to the alleyway.

"Marie!"

"EEH!"

The same guy from earlier today pulls me out of the doorway making me collide into a strong smell of chamomile the instant he hugs me. Who the hell is this guy!?

"Get-get off me!"

I worm my way out of his arms and immediately take a few steps back. There's a pipe lying on the floor which I use to my advantage and hold it like a bat, trying to send a message that if he comes any closer I'll start swinging. He seems to get the message and backs away.

"Who do you think you are!? I am not Marie! My name is Scarlet now go away!"

The man stares at me in complete confusion but a certain sadness washes over him and his bright blue eyes cloud up. For a moment he looks as though he's about to cry.

"He changed your name."

It was more of a statement then a question but it still makes me more confused then ever, considering how sad he looks I can't find anything threatening about him and lower my pipe. Still holding it to my side.

"What are you talking about? Just who are you?"

The man lets out a ragged sigh either from running after me like the agents were or from the grief he is currently displaying.

"Never mind, I thought you were someone else. My name is Patrick Jane I'm a consultant at the CBI."

"Scarlet Jones."

"Scarlet Jones?"

Jane sounds out my name as if its foreign to him and I can sense the wheels turning in his head.

"You're pretty brave to steal files from the CBI."

"Thanks I guess?"

"Tell me Scarlet do you know Red John?"

"Um...who?"

There's a glimmer of hope in those cloudy blue eyes and a shadow of a smile appears on his face.

"You really don't know who he is do you? Why did you steal the files?"

Jane's happiness takes me completely off guard and the truth just comes out without warning.

"I'm searching for my father."

"Why?"

Don't say anything, just cut him off and walk away. I think to myself as I try to come up with an answer.

"It's-um complicated."

That's hardly the word that I would use to describe my situation but it's the one I'm going with.

"Marie-I mean Scarlet, I work with the CBI. I can help you find your father."

"I don't believe you, why would you want to help anyway? You don't even know what's going on!"

"Can't I have sympathy for a runaway who's living on the streets!? Scarlet I want to help! I need to help you, there is no way I will let you fight for yourself when you are hardly 15!"

"I can fend for myself thanks."

This seems to genuinely upset him.

"Really? Living like this is dangerous! There are rapists, drug dealers, traffickers, and a variety of other vermin that would love to spend their nights with you!"

"Patrick Jane I have survived on the streets for a week now! I don't need your help and I don't want your help now do me a favor and go away!"

"Scarlet, you need protection."

He says calmly.

"You've run away, you're alone and scared. Considering how thin you are you haven't eaten for the week you've been spending on the streets. I can give you protection, I can help you find your father faster then you can on your own."

"I don't need your help, in perfectly fine."

"Sure you are, just know that when you're ready I'll be in the CBI. You can find me in the attic."

"Whatever. I don't need you."

And with that I leave.

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