Chased: AmericaXReader

ALFRED

Drained and distressed, he sat in a bar to figure out what to do next. His dreary eyes dimmed bluer as they looked into your picture in his hand.

His girlfriend and only best friend had been missing for weeks. His last memory of you was your storming out of frustration after you had a fight. It wasn't like you to disappear, not with your personal things untouched on your apartment. And you couldn't stand angry at each other for long. You would always kiss and make up right after the fight. But you still haven't showed up, not to anyone you know. This wasn't any ordinary missing case.

Alfred had been tracking you down since the day you vanished and he was afraid it was leading him to nowhere. His search hadn't been any successful by far.

His clues lead him to this town just a few hours ago and he crashed into a typical local bar. People were losing themselves on the dance floor like there was no tomorrow. The speakers blasted chaotic noise and the laser lights turned on and off throwing blinding colors everywhere mixing with the smoke. But they meant nothing to him. All he wanted to do was to find you.

"Somebody like you shouldn't be sitting down there all night." A lady in a little red dress said, convincing Alfred to come with her to the dance floor.

"Oh no, thank you. I'm good." He declined as politely as he could. He had been turning down the ladies' requests of him dancing with them for a hundred times already. She left with a low disappointed snarl.

All of a sudden, someone across the counter caught his eye. He paused for a second to make sure he wasn't mistaken. The one who came into his sight walked in shipping a recognizable impression, but her clothing sent him in reservation. A cap rested on her head, concealing most of her hair and casting a part of shadow across her face. A red sleeveless top hugged her torso well enough to reveal her sharp curves, her tattered black pants wrapped her legs tightly with all those dangling chains, and a spiky belt ensured her waist. She was also clutching a thick fur-hooded leather jacket. She could pass as a rock star in disguise, or just an average delinquent youth waiting for trouble.  

Half of him argued it was you, and his other half countered she was just another look-alike of yours. There was only one way to find out. "__________?"


READER

Lost and confused. That was how you've been feeling from weeks of running away.
Three weeks ago, you woke up in a magnificent villa without a fragment of memory. The physical pain was the one to greet you first, dominant all over your being. Your head pounded insanely the moment you got to your feet.

Three men smiled grimly at your conscious presence and asked only one question: Where is it? You could tell they were foreign by the way they spoke: one was French, one was German and one was Spanish. But you froze at the million-dollar question.

"I don't know what you're talking about." You replied with transparency, tugging uneasily at the silver bracelet on your wrist that your grandmother handed you.

"Now, ma chère. Don't give us zat shit." The man with the shoulder length blond hair said, his sapphire eyes glinting carnivorously. The one with the snow white hair and complexion, as well as the wavy chocolate haired surrounded you with the same sinister atmosphere. The three of them materialized like celebrities, the deadly good-looking antagonists in action movies.

"I'm telling you, I‒" Your voice trailed off the second these men pulled their guns out.
Noting that family wouldn't greet you that way after being unconscious for days, you fought for your life. Your vision went blurred and you let your speed and strength take over. Shock tingled in the back of your mind as you found yourself fighting these three vindictive men all by yourself. You didn't know if you've ever used a gun before, but you gave it a try seeing it was your only chance to outwit them.

You managed to steal a gun from the French one after you knocked him down, and your shoots were impeccable like you've been doing it all your life. The open windows welcomed you on the common room. You ran for it and the German and the Spanish weren't able to go after you for a short while.

Outside, it was bitter cold. Thick blanket of snow engulfed the city and you didn't have enough fabrics to endure it. You only had a gray wool shirt under a white thin sweater, a short frilly skirt that only covered half of your upper leg and high cut leather boots on your feet. Something told you these weren't the clothes you were wearing the last time you were conscious but you didn't want to know who put them on you.

The unfamiliar streets only confused you more. The thought of those men coming across you threatened you gravely. Why were these men chasing after you? What were they looking for? And most importantly, why couldn't you remember anything?

You ran away relentlessly to keep yourself alive. The pain, the extreme hunger, the exhaustion and the cold all were sufferable so long as you wouldn't end up in their hands again. Merciless gale mocked you as it blew until you couldn't endure it anymore that you subsided on snow-covered wooden porch steps.

***

"Think about it, Arthur. She could be the key to this three-year long case!" One of the two cops said.

"But she doesn't remember a thing!"

You didn't have the strength to overhear their conversation properly. The ceiling suddenly became interesting to you when they began their discussion.

Fortunately, you crashed into the apartment of Sergeants Arthur Kirkland and Vash Zwingli a minute before they finished their shift. They hurriedly carried you inside and gave you all the aid you needed. You used all your remaining energy to explain why you had a gun on your hand, who were chasing after you, and how you ended up on their doorstep. Out of the blue, they exchanged looks and their eyes glowed in enlightenment.

Sergeants Kirkland and Zwingli promised you protection in full extent, in exchange of all the information you could give, but that was where the problem arose. You confessed your loss of memory.

They brought you to their headquarters the next day to start the full investigation and their chief confirmed that you are their most essential lead to capturing the disreputable Bad Touch Trio. By the strict orders of their chief, Arthur and Vash took you under their protective custody.

Nevertheless, confusion visited you every night. You lay awake thinking about all your missing pieces. This morning, you took the opportunity to find the answers on your own.


SGT. KIRKLAND AND SGT. ZWINGLI

"She is dangerous." Arthur shook his head in surrender.

"If Chief finds out we handcuffed her on the steering wheel and she got away, we're done." Vash added.

Before dealing with something that could help them solve the case, they chained you to the steering wheel for security purposes. It only took them a couple of minutes to get through it, but when they returned, you were already gone.

They tried their luck seeking out on the streets. As they caught a glimpse of you entering a bar, they followed you inside.


BAD TOUCH TRIO

Antonio slowed down his driving upon approaching their destination. Francis and Gilbert still couldn't stop arguing with him after their hostage slipped away weeks ago.

"Had ve known she is that strong, ve should've tied her up before she voke up." Gilbert said in dissatisfaction. It was unacceptable for him that a girl like you could escape them alive.

"We shouldn't 'ave underestimated 'er."

"Corrupt a multi-million euro bank account, quit the organization, entrust it to your granddaughter as a family heirloom and make a hell of an assassin out of her. The perfect deception plan." Antonio was talking about you and your grandmother who had been the co-leader of their syndicate for years.

"'ho would theenk a fragile little lady like 'er would be ze only one to know ze code to ze vault?" Francis smirked.

"Expert in gymnastics, martial arts and shooting," Gilbert read the print out of your information in his hand. "Damn, ve should've known that before ve hunted her down."

"For once, she made me think we killed her. Her car crashed very badly, it was impossible for her to survive." Antonio said.

"We could've lost her by zen if she wasn't drunk, or she 'ad 'er friends on 'er back. But no! She drove away crazy like a pissed off teenager with not even a boyfriend to count on!" Francis laughed, remembering how they made your car crash like in a video game. Antonio and Gilbert snickered as well.

"Sneaking her out from the hospital was more fun! Antonio took interest in vearing the doctor's lab gown after killing her doctor and nurses, and she doesn't even know a thing!" Gilbert narrated.

Antonio smiled smugly as he parallel parked the car. "Well, she didn't wake up for three days. Must be Sleeping Beauty waiting for true love's kiss."

They went out of the car and Francis and Gilbert burst into ridiculous laughter, but it drowned to the loud music from the bar a few meters away. "And she thought we would buy 'er 'I don't know' excuse."  

When the bouncer saw them coming, he instantly let them in.


READER

Sweat prickled all over you, however Vash' scent on his red sleeveless shirt still wasn't fading away. Arthur's rugged jeans felt heavier on your legs every second but not because of its hundred chains hanging all over it. You scrutinized the surroundings and adjusted your cap as you found a young man on a brown leather jacket looking at you. You couldn't tell where and when, but you swore you've seen those eyes before…

Your heartbeat thumped faster when he drew closer you. He called out your name, something retained in your shattered memory, but you deflected and vanished into the frenzied crowd.

A mini heart attack bombarded your chest when someone grabbed your arm. Sergeants Kirkland and Zwingli finally came across you, hours after you unchained yourself and escaped.

"GET DOWN!!!"

It only took a microsecond to celebrate your reunion. Francis, Gilbert and Antonio were able to discover your whereabouts and caused a commotion by firing towards your direction. You were petrified for merely five seconds and the next thing you knew, Gilbert had snatched you by the waist taking you away.

Arthur and Vash tried to put everything back in order, calming those people down while the Bad Touch Trio abducted you for the second time around. Avoiding any bloodshed, it was difficult for Arthur and Vash to go after you with those three men shooting them.

"You have such sexy lips," Gilbert teased, running his gun on your face. "They make me want to taste them."

Francis and Antonio snickered. They were now driving you away back to their syndicate mansion and you couldn't see Arthur and Vash following through. You couldn't hang around for those cops to save you. The adrenaline rushed just like the first time Francis, Antonio and Gilbert pointed their gun at you. You struggled at your worst until Francis lost his control over the steering wheel, allowing the car crash and topple you roughly out to the snowy street.


ALFRED

He cursed in frustration. He could almost lay his hand on you when a gunfight occurred, making him lose you once again. Without even waiting for the cops, he went on his own to claim you from those criminals. No more than a few blocks away, he found your car smashed into the street with unconscious individuals lying just about it.   

Recognizing the one with the red skin-tight shirt, Alfred vigilantly carried her inside his own car and drove away…

***

You opened up your eyes feeling the feathery mattress on your back. Every part of your body ached as you turned to your right. The first image that came to your vision was the slumbering figure of the young man with the leather jacket, only a few inches from you. His angelic features were irreproachable‒ you could've appreciated them only if he wasn't concerned with the turmoil earlier.

You wheezed upon sensing the impending danger and your frantic move awakened him.
Hastily, you yanked the gun on the bedside table and directed it to him.

"One more move and I won't hesitate to pull the trigger." You warned sternly, making sure your every word sank in.

His blue eyes widened in astonishment and his hands rose in surrender. "Whoah, whoah, whoah! I know I've done you wrong, baby. This is why I've been chasing you down all along. I'm so sorry!"

You raised an eyebrow at his word baby. "I'm so sick of you people coming after me! I told you I don't know what you're talking about! Why won't you believe me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, you know what I'm talking about! You're with them too! Don't play your little games with me!"

"I ain't with nobody! Baby, it's me Alfred!"

The way he addressed himself to you sounded as if he was your missing body part but you still weren't lowering your gun. "I don't care what your name is! I need you to tell your friends to keep the hell out of my life!"

"Baby, you're the one who's playing! I‒" The gun dropped from your hand. He wasn't able to finish his sentence when you suddenly went outbalanced and he had to catch you in his arms. His eyes distinguished the recent scratches and bruises encrusting your skin, and his mouth hung wordless upon seeing the worst one in your left temple.

You buried your face on your hands, letting out a low disheartened whimper. "Look, I wish I could remember you, but…" Tears streamed down your face and you couldn't speak no more.
With a consoling gaze, he held you close. Your tears always grant him heartbreak. All those years, he went out his way to protect you and never make you cry, even if it meant breaking all his rules for you. "Nobody can hurt you now."

Alfred delicately ran his fingers through the (h/c) strands covering your face and wiped your tears. His hands lifted your face closer to his, dispersing your hysteria away, as his lips gently pressed against yours.

I wish I could remember you… Your breaking voice played in his head repeatedly, making his heart sink like never before. What could hurt more than being forgotten by the one you love the most? His heart fumed with the most intensified emotions as he seized you protectively, strapping you into the kiss.

Confusion ruled over you. It entrenched you to where you stood when Alfred started kissing you. Who is this man? Why does he make you feel like you've known him for so long? Could this be just a frame-up from those men to finally get what they want? The last thought made you tremble. It gave you the force to push him away from you on a safe distance. His startled eyes flashed from your action.

"I feel strongly for you…" You did your best to look at him straight in the eye. "But I still have to figure out if it's good or bad."


BAD TOUCH TRIO

"Give us what we want and we'll let your novio go. It's as easy as that." Antonio demanded with his arms spread gallantly into the air.

The Bad Touch Trio broke into the room you and Alfred were staying at a couple of hours after you fell asleep over again. Thinking it would more proficient, they got hold of Alfred instead of you into a warehouse by a cliff.

But before that could happen, you and Alfred were having your lie low conversation on the carpeted floor. He finally comprehended what was the situation all about and explained everything you needed to know. The Bad Touch Trio was after the only remaining memory of your grandmother‒your bracelet. That old fashioned jewelry holds the code to the multi-million euro bank account she embezzled from their organization and you were the only she taught of how to operate it.

"You mean this?" You raised your arm and showed it to them.

Francis, Antonio and Gilbert stared at it a little bit, deliberating whether to laugh or to shoot at you for presenting the outmoded trinket. But they decided it was actually what they were hunting you for right after the police troop force an entry into the warehouse. Chaos broke free. Bullets flew in all places and everyone danced away from death.

You aimed to release Alfred from being handcuffed to an iron post which was about to get blown up because of a nearby gas explosion. You commanded him to give you his gun, but he declined. You noticed Gilbert lurking on the corner of your eye. "Give me your gun. NOW!"
Before he could, you already stole it from him and shot towards Gilbert. You took Alfred by the hand and ran all the way outside, keeping the bullets from touching your skin. But the gunfight continued, following you. The cops were in the vicinity of winning until Francis fled to your direction by the cliff, unarmed.

You smirked and took the bracelet off your wrist. Alfred indignantly watched him approach, standing by to maul him at any second. When he was only a few feet away, you displayed it in the air derisively and threw it to the sea.

"Noooo!" Francis tried to catch the bracelet as it flew seaward. Arthur and Vash were just behind him, ready for the arrest. At last, after weeks of running away, peace had come and they would be taken to justice.

However, it was only seconds after handcuffing him when Francis divulged a syringe on his hand and stabbed you.


ALFRED

He stayed by your side, waiting for you to wake up.

Twelve days went by following the arrest of the Bad Touch Trio. You've been at the hospital for the past four days thanks to the Klein-Levin syndrome virus that Francis injected you. It was a good thing that the virus didn't take effect and you didn't catch the syndrome, only you haven't awakened since then. The doctors said it was safe to bring you home; it would just take a few more days for you to come around.

Sgts. Kirkland and Zwingli provided their place for you and Alfred. Every once in a while, they would check out on Alfred and offer him food, even taking shifts for him to get some rest. They had a high regard for him as they watched him by your bedside looking after you with unwavering effort.

"Y-you're Alfred… right?"

Your soft voice lingered in his ear, its vulnerability tugging his heartstrings.

Alfred's face brightened up like the sun that hadn't shined from the long winter days. He flung his arms on you as he thanked the God he had been praying to. "You bad girl, how dare you forget about me!"

You laughed and he did as well. "But I haven't forgotten one thing."

"Yeah?"

You caressed the back of his neck and kissed him like you used to before all your memories faded away. He smiled into the kiss, your favorite one, and pulled you closer to him. After all you've been through, it seemed like your world would never be the same anymore. But one thing's for sure: you have each other.