Safe space

Victor had known it was obvious that he wasn't from around here, although he tried to fit the styles of the people around here, his demeanor and accent weren't quite the same.

"No, I'm originally from Montana and we just moved here. I was looking for something fun in this town." Victor said with a smile

The grinning boy didn't break eye contact and kept the same features as he talked, it gradually became quite unnerving.

"Look what we've got here boys, a Yankee. I'm sorry that our little old Town isn't 'fun' enough for you, but me and the boys can show you a really exciting time."

Victor had seen enough high school cliches to know where this was going. Why did the first people he met around his age have to be dick heads. Although he was average in build, Victor had been a scrappy fighter and fought dirty, anything to win pride and consequences be damned, but there were three of them and all were at least bigger than he, so he'd rather not try to fight.

" I didn't mean it like that guy's." He said as he started backing up "I'll just be on my way then."

As he turned around he could hear the chairs they were in slide out from underneath them, he really didn't like where this was going. He picked up his pace to a brisk walk and as soon as he turned the corner out from the food court he booked it, running as fast as he could, looking for a shop that he could hide within without looking suspicious. There were many shops in the mall, but all of them had glass windows so customers can browse the store without going in, all of those would make spotting him way too easy. After taking two more corners he came across a clothes shop with advertisements blocking the windows, and maybe if he was lucky they'd have a changing room.

Upon entering the shop he slowed down to a walk and steadied his breathing, looking frantically for a changing room. It was a small shop so finding it didn't take much effort, grabbing the first shirt he came across he walked directly into the changing room. Finally he was safe, after letting out a sigh of relief he took in his surroundings. He knew that they'd probably look for him for a minute or two and eventually get bored so he'll just wait them out. Unfortunately his luck didn't last, he heard a knock on the door about a minute after he entered, he wondered how the found him, had they seen him enter? No he was sure he out ran them enough to get out of view, but still he won't answer until he knew who it was.

He heard a soft feminine voice call out through the door

"Umm excuse me.... I couldn't help but notice you've been in there for a long time did you need any help?"

Victor, relieved that it wasn't those boys at the door replied to the kind lady.

"Uh no, I'm fine, thanks..."

There was a pause as if she had to think about how to reply.

"Umm... why are you trying on these clothes?"

Victor looked at the shirt he thought he'd grabbed, it was a tight, really low cut v-neck, something specifically a girl would wear. Victor thought it'd be best to explain face to face and save some of his dignity at least. Opening the door as he spoke.

" Uh, I didn't actually come in to try stuff on I just..."

He trailed off as he saw an angel before him with one hell of a smug smirk on her face.

"You just... What...?"

He couldn't keep eye contact with her as he looked around and found out what shop he was in, his face started heating up. Just great it had to be Vanessa's Secret, famous for women's underwear among other things. How unlucky could he be, a gorgeous woman who looked only to be a couple years older than him, catching him in such an awkward situation. Ah well not like he'll ever see her again.

"I was just... Looking for clothes for my sister... As a birthday gift." he replied with a weak smile.

Regardless of if she bought it or not she asked him again if he needed any help, he declined and proceeded to hurry out of the store trying to save himself more embarrassment. Although the whole ordeal took a while from start to finish Victor was still worried the gang of boys were still looking for him, this wasn't the first time he was bullied, moving constantly paints a big target on your back. Sneaking out carefully to the exit he was nearly home free, but looking at his bike, it seems that the boys must've figured the only bike here belonged to him as its chain was missing. What a terrible day he was having and he just couldn't wait to get home where at least things were somewhat normal.

He began walking alongside his bike towards his house which unfortunately was placed on top of a small mountain... Or that's what it felt like anyway, biking down feels amazing, but the trip up is a hassle, taking at least twice as long. About half way up he heard voices by the park, wondering who it was he picked up his pace and excitedly went to see them. Today must really be his unlucky day, as it was non other than those boys who stole his bike chain. He didn't even wait for them to spot him he just booked it straight towards his house at full sprint. A few seconds past and he could hear them start giving Chase, he hated to do it but he had to drop his bike or he'd never make it. As it was it didn't seem like he'd make it anyway. Running as hard as he could he could feel his throat burn and his sides ache so badly, he just couldn't out run or out pace these bigger kids.

Looking for any options he frantically searched for anything that he could hide in or any sort of weapon, he just needed some sort of help, as tears started welling up in his eyes. Why was this happening to him, he didn't deserve any of this, he could hear them so close behind, it wouldn't take long now. That's when he saw it, like a gift from the heavens a small cave like Crack on the side of this mountain he was running up, he wasn't necessarily afraid of caves or tight places, but this one in particular looked like a really tight fit. Left with no other option he used the remaining bit of his energy to drive head first into the cave.

He was right it was an incredibly tight squeeze, but he could move around just fine and it seemed to expand a bit the further he went in. He heard the boys right out side the cave entrance start laughing at him hiding from them like a rat or something. He didn't care, he was safe as long as they couldn't get him.