Page 50 of Beyond the Darkness
They turned their backs to the intrusive camera and left.
The night was still and warm outside.There was a dark blue cast to the not yet dark sky.
“Can you believe that dickhead?”Luke said.“It was clear as day what he was doing.”
“I’ve seen worse.Experienced worse.Someone people just shove their phones straight at you.At least he was attempting to be discreet.”
“Hmm.I once saw Sir Ian McKellen having a drink with friends during the interval of a show.People were just standing around him filming and taking photos, like he was some exhibit at a zoo.I can’t believe how little they respected his privacy.”
The streets were quiet as they walked deeper into the gay village.
A single car came past in the opposite direction.Hudson looked up just in time to see two faces at the passenger side windows staring directly at him.Oh, shit.Surely that guy’s video can’t have alerted the press already.
The car drove past them, followed by the screech of tires as it braked.
“Let’s pick up the pace,” he said to Luke.“I think we’ve been spotted.”
Luke glanced backwards.“Yep.They’re turning around.”
They quickened their steps.
The car pulled alongside, kerb crawling.It had pulled onto the wrong side of the road to get closer to them.Hudson’s danger senses prickled.He walked even faster.
The driver’s window was down.“What’s up, ladies?”
“Fuck,” Luke muttered.“It’s not the press.Ignore them and keep moving.”
“Nice night for it, isn’t it, girls?”the driver called.
“Cruising for cock, are you?”
Hudson couldn’t stop himself from looking at them.The driver was a mean-looking bastard, all steroids and tattoos.In the seat behind sat a gingery blond with a full beard.
“Ooh, I think the old queen likes you,” the driver called to the man behind.
Hudson simmered with anger and frustration.He knew the best thing to do was ignore them and get to the safety of the apartment.They just needed to reach the end of the block, turn the corner and they would almost be there.
“Hey,” the guy in the back seat yelled.“Don’t be so stuck up.We’re only trying to be friendly.Why don’t you stop and say hello?”
“Leave us alone,” Hudson snapped, regretting the words as soon as they were out of his mouth.The last thing he should do was engage with these assholes.
“What’s that?”the driver shouted.“American.We’ve found ourselves a real Yankie faggot tonight.Jackpot, guys.”
“The other one doesn’t look much like a Yank to me,” a third voice from inside the car said.“More like an immigrant.Fresh off the small boats, I don’t doubt.”
“I think they both need to be taught a lesson and sent back where they came from.”
“What the fuck is this?”Hudson hissed.
Luke grabbed his arm.“Just run.”
They shot off together, racing for the corner.
As another car turned into the road, there was a screech of brakes as they tried to avoid the obstruction.
Two of the men were already out of the car and chasing after them.The blond guy from the rear seat and the side passenger, who was short and squat.The driver was engaged in a war of horns with the other vehicle.
Hudson and Luke raced into his road.The apartment building was in sight, still a distance away, and the men were gaining fast.
