The short man sprinted away from the main road and down an alley. He was glad of his military training as he continued running. The tight fabric of his pressed grey trousers made it difficult to run but he had to get away.

The doctor glanced over his shoulder to where he could see his BMW abandoned on the curb, blocking the alley, and behind that he could see the police cars skidding to a stop as police officers set out in a sprint after him. John turned his head to face forward again and rocketed towards the other end of the alley.

As his arms swung, they pulled against the tight material of his grey suit jacket. He burst out of the alley and glanced around wildly for somewhere to run.

The ex-soldier sprinted across the busy road, ignoring the blaring horns, and into an alley on the other side. The blonde man pulled at his blood red tie as he ran allowing himself more space to breathe. He shot on forward. By the time he had left the second alley the police officers were only just crossing the road.

As soon as he was out of sight of the officers, the fleeing man pulled himself easily over a garden wall. He continued to run in the same direction but leapt over walls and fences. He carried on his path until a gate at the side of a house caught his eye. He came to a sudden halt and jogged over to it, certain the police were far behind. He lifted a leg and with a forceful kick the wooden gate fell out of the way.

John stopped running as he joined the foot traffic on the busy road. He blended in well with the suited businessmen even though his own suit was now slightly dishevelled. The doctor ran his fingers through his blonde hair and marched on. He could hear multiple sets of sirens in the distance so hurried forwards.

He rushed down another road and found himself pushing against the flow of tourists who were standing along the Thames. He fought onward until he got to the bridge. At the bridge he picked up the pace and jogged forward. He was getting closer to here he wanted to be.

His heartbeat was pounding in his ears as his eyes darted around, always alert. He reached the other side of the river and passed Parliament quickly. He continued forward until he reached a quiet road. He quickly ran down it and sprinted down the alleyway that he knew was halfway down this road.

He counted the houses as he slowed his pace to steady walk. The 26th house on the right. The safe house. He put one foot on the strategically positioned bins and hoisted himself up and over the fence. He landed gracefully before he collapsed against the garden wall. He was panting and could hear nothing but his breathing and heart thundering loudly. The ex-soldier closed his eyes in defence of the dizziness that had just taken over him.

A soft thud of someone landing in the garden caused John to begrudgingly wretch his eyes open. A head of him stood a slightly panting man with dark curls. His high cheekbones were accentuated by the evil smirk that was playing on his lips. John swallowed.

It was obvious that this man had followed him and John didn't like that.

"Usually, people can't follow me if I don't want them to." The blonde said while trying to hide the fact that he was panting.

"Yes but I'm not people." The taller man's smirk grew.

John took one more breath and smirked back before hurling himself over the wall and into the next garden. The follower's smile became predatory and he wasn't far behind.

Challenge accepted, John thought.