by Joe Crouch
“Is it true you’re testing a new fighter?”
“We’ve heard that you’re having an affair, can you comment on that?”
“Why are you still on Earth and not out there championing the fight against the Xuron?”
He covered his face with his jacket and walked down the stone steps as fast as he could. Reporters followed his every move since they had moulded him into a champion the entire planet could get behind in a time of war, he didn’t ask for this, he didn’t want this, they pushed the story without a second thought to his personal life or what he wanted. Even a quick peek from under his jacket to get his bearings on where he was walking was an invitation for the blinding flashes to assault him, he dreamt of sitting at home, watching the game with a beer and relaxing.
“Sean,” came a voice from below him, “Sean,” the voice repeated, this time tugging at his shirt for his attention. He looked out to see a little girl stood there with his picture and a pen, she was the cutest thing he had ever seen with her twin pigtails and pink dress on, her innocent eyes melted him to his core. “Can I have your autograph,” she smiled with genuine happiness. He thought about it for a moment, nodding, he removed his jacket and went to pick up the pen lying on the paper, but the instant he removed his coat reporters crowded around him and pushed the girl aside to get their own close-up pictures of him. He was done, finished with the world, with the jacket firmly back over his head he ran down the steps and slid into the waiting car, with a slam the driver shut his door, got into the vehicle and sped away. He sprawled out on the backseat as the windows faded to a dark black, making sure no one could see inside or get any pictures, he had escaped them for now, but they would be back tomorrow, and the next day, and the one after that.
“Good day, Sir?” Robin, the driver, asked. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, black glasses and had a pistol under his jacket at all times in case anything ever got out of hand, he trusted Robin with his life, he was but one in his small circle of confidants.
“You could say that,” Sean joked, relaxing a little as he grabbed a can of pop from the inbuilt fridge.
“How did the testing go?” Robin quizzed.
“You know I can’t talk about it, Rob, I know how excited you are about all that stuff but I just can’t, not yet,” he admitted.
“Very well, Sir,” Robin nodded, “You want to head home?”
“Yeah, home sounds good right about now, wake me when we’re there,” Sean said as he drifted off…
Thanks again for reading and be sure to check out the second instalment available very soon!
Joe
