Half the World Away

3

I got of the cold stone floor, my body aching all over, the bruises colouring my body black, blue and purple. I gasped, touching a recent cut; how did that get there? To be honest, I don't even know where half my injuries come from anymore. Then I came face to face with Tom, the friendliest out of my kidnappers, who had morals and never hurt me.

"Boss told me to give you these," He said. I nodded in return, I learnt it's best not to speak in what feels like many years of captivity.

But Tom being Tom had drew his attention to my black eye. He looked away. Then looked back, a pained expression on his face. "Charlotte." He finally spoke, just as I turned away, grabbing my small bruised wrist. I let out a small whimper. "I'm sorry," he said, letting go. I turned to face him. "I can't do this anymore." He started crying. Me being me, I touched his cheek and wiped away the tear. But just as I was about to take my hand away, he held it there.

"What can't you do?" I finally returned.

"Pretending to be the bad guy," he swallowed. "I want to get you out of here." He sighed, his hand still on mine.

"Tom, they will..."

"Kill me?" He asked.

"Yes, I can't let you do that." I stuttered, pulling my hand away and turning back around to change.

"You can." He said bluntly. "I'm leaving with you."

"You can't Tom, you'll be arrested." I said, pulling my ripped top over my head and putting the oversized sweater on. That was painful. "You do have your eyes closed right?" I asked and got a mhm in return.

"Charlotte, I won't get arrested." He stutters, "because Charlotte, I'm made to do this." I turned around, after putting some small shorts on.

"How?" I narrowed my eyes, looking at him for any signs. Then, he rolled up his selves. I gasped in shock, cuts and bruises all similar to mine, unmistakably crafted by the same hand.

"How do I know you're not tricking me?" I asked and he nodded obviously knowing this was coming.

"Who has looked after you?" He asked. "Who stopped your cuts from getting infected?" He asked, walking over to me. "Who wiped those tears away?"

"You, all you." I muttered.

"Who, even though it really hurt them, showed you that your friends were missing you?" He asked. I pointed at him in return.

He put a loose piece of hair behind my ears, reminding me of Brad.

"You can trust me, I promise." I nodded and he told me his plan.

*
Later on that night, I lay awake, listening for the door to open and Tom to be there.

After what felt like 2 years, I heard keys clanging. I threw my head on my pillow, wincing in pain. He told me to pretend to be sleep, just in case it wasn't here.

"Charlotte?" A voice asked. It was Tom. I looked up, he had a large camping bag on his back, filled to the brim with things that we talked about needing. "Come on, we haven't got much time." He said, helping me up. He passed me some jogging bottoms and put them on, over my shorts. He passed me a coat afterwards. I looked at him, confused.

"What?" He chuckled.

"A coat?" I laughed, "Tom, it's Australia." He shrugged.

"You might need it!" He laughed too.

"Come on then." I said, staring at him and he led me outside. I breathed in the fresh air and felt the wind rush against my hair. Ah, I've missed this. I thought to myself. Me and Tom went into a steady jog.

"I know a exit, it's small but we will both fit." He told me, taking my hand and leading me around to some gates. I saw a small hole cut in the bottom of the wires. "I made it earlier he said. I nodded and went on my hands and legs, crawling out to the other side. That's when I heard it.

A gunshot.

I looked at Tom and his face went white.

He quickly passed me his bag and frantically scrambled to get out.

He pulled himself out and he screamed, "RUN!"

I followed him, into the woods, every once in a while jumping over logs. Then, I fell.

There was a hole.

"Shit!" I screamed in pain. Tom turned around. His eyes went wide.

"Shut up." He mummered and picked me up in bridal style. He still ran really quickly and we soon came out to an entrance.

There was tons of police. Two armed officers ran to our aid and walked us over to a waiting ambulance.

"Name?" A burly man asked me.

"Charlotte Manning." The policemen all turned around to each other and nodded. They knew who I was. They turned around to Tom.

"Tom Lee." Then, everything froze. I know the name lee is common. But, that was Angels last name. She also had a brother called Tom, living in Australia. I looked at the police and they had the same reaction as me.

"Right, ring the English police and tell them they need to get in contact with the Manning Family, the same for the Lee's." The same Man instructed a younger man, who immediately ran to his car.

"Charlotte, Tom." He addressed us. We both turned around from looking at the ambulance man who was telling me I had just sprained my ankle, I should be fine. "You're coming down to the station with me." We both nodded and Tom got out of the ambulance van and helped me down.

I'm coming home.

I'm seeing Brad.

I made it.

I'm not dead.

But, what is this thing with Tom? Is he Angels brother? Or is it all just one big coincidence? Angel couldn't have pretended her brother wasn't missing. I know that everyone has different methods of coping. But, Angels my best friend and I know she wouldn't pretend a family member wasn't missing.

A/n: THIS BOOK IS BEING TRANSLATED TO RUSSIAN OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD!