I Reincarnated as the Villainess and I Refuse to Follow the Plot

When we sprinted from the alley, shouts calling telling us to halt pierced through my ears. The strange man tightened his hold on my hand and tugged us through into the large crowd.

Some people yelled at us as we pushed our way through– others stopped to stare, curious as to what was happening.

My pulse hammered in my ears the further we ran. I didn't dare look back in fear that it would slow us down.

At the end of the street, we took a hard right. The man looked around, before tugging me inside an abandoned building.

We sprinted up the stairs– each creak reminding me of the dire situation we were in.

When we reached the top floor, he let go of me and jogged to a door at the end. He reached forward, gripping the knob– but to my dismay, it was locked.

"Now what do we do?" I asked, gulping in air. They were going to find me at this rate. Why did he take us here of all places?

He didn't answer– instead he slammed his shoulder into the door a few times. The wood creaked under his weight moments before it sprang wide open.

"Come on." He called, walking outside.

I followed after him and squinted when the bright sunlight blinded me.

Now I'm definitely going to get caught. One look at the area said it all. We were stuck on an open dilapidated roof that was two and a half stories off the ground.

"Don't look so dejected." He smiled, walking to the edge. "There's always a way out of everything."

"Not this time." I shook my head, walking over to him. "There's nowhere to go from here."

"Have a little faith." He flashed a smile, backed up, and then ran forward.

I watched in complete horror as he leapt off the building.

Is he insane? I crept toward the edge, peering over and expecting to see him in a heap on the ground.

"Where are you looking?" He asked, amused.

"What?" I lifted my head to see him standing on a precarious edge of another building– one that was missing an entire side of it. "How did you-"

"Jump." He held out his arms. "I'll catch you."

"Are you mad?" I gaped. "I'm not athletic enough to jump from a two story building."

"It's not two stories." He grinned, eyes dancing. "It's just one floor."

"Yeah one floor of open air." I motioned toward the gap between us. "There's no way in hell I can clear it."

"Do you trust me?" He cocked his head.

"No." I said quickly. "Not even a little."

"Fine, you don't know me." He shrugged. "I get it. Really. I wouldn't trust me either."

"You're not exactly making me feel any better." I rolled my eyes.

"That's good because I'm not trying to." He laughed.

Loud voices down in the alley behind me sent a chill up my spine. They were close. Way too close. Dammit.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. I can't believe I'm doing this.

"You better catch me or I swear I'll knock out your teeth." I opened my eyes and retreated away from the edge.

"I swear." I heard him say.

You can do this. I assured myself. Don't think about anything else.

I rolled my shoulders and ran– sprinting toward the edge. Everything blurred around me as I launched myself off. Air rushed past me along with the brief sensation of weightlessness.

I bit back a scream as I began to fall. He was close but not close enough. Hitting the ground is going to hurt.

I squeezed my eyes closed bracing for the impact I knew was coming.

Instead of hitting the ground I felt something hard and warm wrap around me and the sensation of falling disappeared.

I opened my eyes to see his face inches from mine. A slow smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"You didn't trust me did you?"

"Put me down." I shifted backwards, trying to put space between us.

"You're welcome." He said, setting me down.

"Thanks." I bit out. "But-"

"No time." He turned and walked into the building. "We're still being chased. Follow me."

I sighed, but followed him anyway. We wound through the house, down stairs that disintegrated the moment we stepped off them, and out into a different alley.

Neither of us spoke as we made our way deeper and deeper through the backstreets. The longer we walked, the more seedy the neighborhood became.

After an hour, the chase seemed to end– at least I assumed as I could no longer hear the men behind us.

Eventually, the man came to a stop near a large river that snaked its way through the city. He turned around, scanning the area we had come from.

"I think we lost them." He said, looking at me.

"Thanks." I said, relieved, sitting down on the river bank. All the adrenaline and fear started to melt away– leaving me exhausted. "But why did you help me again?"

"Most people would just say thank you and leave it at that." He walked before me, crouching down.

"Most people don't help strangers." I pointed out. "Is there something you want from me? Is that why you stepped in?"

"Why? Are you going to pay me for my services?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.

"No." I shook my head. "I never asked for your help."

"Are you rude to everyone or am I a special case?" He pushed off legs, gazing down at me.

"You're not special. You're weird and a hindrance."

"A woman after my own heart." He chuckled, holding out a hand. "Let me help you out. I can keep you hidden if that's what you want."

"I don't need your help." I stood up, tugging the good back over my head. "Thank you for helping me so far, but leave me alone."

I turned on my heel, debating on what to do next. I need to get out of the capital.

"You'll regret not taking my assistance when it's offered." He called as I walked off.

I didn't answer him– instead I just waved him off.

I was grateful for his help, but I had no plans on telling him that.

There was something strange about him– besides the fact that he helped me.

He may not be part of the main cast in the novel– but he gave off second male lead vibes and I had no interest.

The further I walked away from him– the more uneasy I grew about who he was.

Whatever. I shrugged, pushing the thought aside.

It's probably not important.