DEATHLOOP by G. Brailey Read Free Book Online Page A

hit the window with something, a pole or something.”
    “What sort of pole?”
    “Why? Why would she do that?”
    “It wasn’t a pole.”
    “That bloke has gone to catch her I think.”
    “Who?”
    “He just ran out.”
    “Does anyone know her? Do you know her, Carlo?”
    “What? You think I know these nutters?”
    “So why did she do it?”
    “This used to be a desirable neighbourhood, now look, crazy people we have to put up with!”
    Zack heard none of this because as the diners and the waiters and Carlo absorbed the shock, he was racing along behind Susan through the crowds. Susan was a good runner and she was nimble too, adept at side stepping passers-by, better at it than Zack by far. They continued running, not much distance between them now but despite the adrenaline pumping, Susan was tiring.
    Susan sped along towards the Aldwych, free of the crowds she had more space to run, but equally she was easier to spot. People stood back when they saw them, unnerved by the panic in Susan’s eyes and by Zack’s intensity. Some people looked concerned for Susan. Why was this guy chasing her like this? And more to the point, what was he going to do to her when he caught her up?
    As Susan turned, heading up towards the Old Bailey, a stitch clutched at her side. She tried to ignore it, she tried to concentrate just on getting away but Zack was still behind her and gaining ground. He remained focused on her thin little legs pounding the pavement, her skirt dancing, her Oxfam cardigan flying up on either side of her like wings. Finally he was within arm’s reach. He stretched out his hand, clutched at her thatch of dark hair and tugged. Susan yelped, struggled to get free, struggled to prise his hand from her head but he held on tight.
    Zack managed to steer Susan towards a narrow side street and frogmarched her along with him, still gripping her at the head like a puppet, then Zack pushed her up against a wall and held her there. For almost a minute they remained face to face, too puffed out to speak, allowing their breathing to recover.
    “What is wrong with you, Susan?”
    “Nothing, there’s nothing wrong with me.”
    “Are you completely insane? You could have killed someone, was that the idea? You want to kill me now, is that it?”
    “It’s your fault!”
    “It’s my fault that you are so messed up is it? Is that what you’re saying?”
    “Last week you wanted me, now you don’t, I’m the same person, it’s you - you’re the one that’s mad. Or is it you and Clarissa now? Is that it? Or has it always been you and Clarissa?”
    “It didn’t work out, that’s all.”
    “Because of you!” yelled Susan, scrunching her hands up into two fists and boxing Zack around the face. “You think you can treat me like some piece of shit, well we’ll see about that!”
    Zack tensed himself, letting her rage against him and wear herself out. It didn’t take that long. Frustrated that her blows seemed to be bouncing off him and making no purchase, Susan slumped back against the wall, howling. But Susan’s attack did one thing, it reminded Zack that he really shouldn’t treat people like this, but he had, and there were consequences, and now he had to face them.
    “Susan, listen to me…” said Zack softly, putting a hand to her face, brushing away her tears.
    “Now do you see what you have done? Do you?”
    “I’m sorry, Susan. I’m sorry.”
    “Come back, come back home with me,” she said, clutching at him like a greedy child.
    “We can’t put it back together again,” said Zack, “it doesn’t work that way.”
    After a brief hesitation, Zack backed off and started to walk away. At the end of the street he turned back to see Susan, motionless, gazing after him.

CHAPTER 6
     
    The following morning Zack turned out of Brunswick Street and was absorbed by the crowd. He knew he should go home and get changed, but for some reason he decided to walk to work instead, just like he was.
    The old