𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄

05 | On the run

MASON

RACING, my heart hammered in my chest, hand in hand with Isabelle as we ran outside of the school after Alora set it alight. The wind brushed past us, cool and firm as it swept our hair out of place. Having stamina comes in handy at times like this, however my sister isn't one for stamina.

"Where are we running too?!" Blair shouted over our heavy, short breaths but neither of us backed down to stop running. And we wouldn't.

Neither of us looked back either, though we could still hear the screams people let out, and the occasional smoke that trailed its way into the air. "I know a place. Follow me!" Kai ordered, running past us and leading the group to wherever was safest, and at that moment, it was all we had.

I heard a small choke erupt from Isabelle's throat, her sniff hid it as she wiped her nose with her t - shirt. "Isabelle just keep running." I squeezed her hand tighter, a desperate sign of loyalty we all needed at times like this. My voice was stern but somehow came out softer when I spoke to her, though a stern tone was necessary right now.

"Make a turn." Kai demanded, his voice full of authority, slicing the air like a knife.

"No one could have teleportation powers?" Alora whined, out of breath, somehow finding humour even in ghastly times like this one.

"Shut up, Alora." Kai snapped, still running and leading us like the ruler he was meant to be. I've always believe Kai was born to rule, even if it was something small. He has the dominance of royalty, and the looks of a God.

Girls swoon over him whilst boys shiver at the mere mention of his name. On the outside he was cold, reserved in a way people don't bother to get to know him for more than a couple days. But when you take a minute to know him, really know him. He could be so kind, and selfless.

I see qualities in him my sister has, which could be part of the reason they hate each other so much, deep down they are so alike. Yet, none admit it to themselves.

After what felt like a lifetime of running, making turns and breathless bickering we made a stop. The realisation sunk in deep and unshakable, that there was no turning back. Not anymore.

We all stopped to regain out breath, Alora rested her hands on her knees and panted restlessly whilst Blair ran a stressed hand through her hair before putting it up. Isabelle just cried, quietly. So quietly no one even noticed, she had turned away to face the cracked wall, wiping away her tears and rubbing the lenses of her glasses.

I hesitantly creeped upon her, gave her shoulder a tight squeeze and she jumped, turning around to meet my eyes. Her chocolate eyes was hollow, red and tired. "Everything is going to be okay." I rubbed her shoulder, applying a small smile on my lips.

She shook her head, stroking the end pieces of her hair before replying. Everyone was too busy engrossed in everything that had happened to notice how far away Isabelle and myself actually were. We stood in the corner of the area Kai brought us too, under an omitted bridge, with graffitied walls, cracked stones and painting that were split under the bridge.

Bushes, unkept and tangled chained us to the area, a reminder of the scratched we all gained just by slipping through. This bridge had been closed off for years, yet no one knew why. So, Kai must of though no one would look underneath here.

"What if its not alright, mason?" She looked up, her big, round brown eyes struck something in me. A loss of hope flashed in her eyes, and my heart stung.

"I promise, Isabelle. Everything will be fine."  On instinct I grabbed her shaken frame, and pulled her into my large embrace, maybe trying to shield her from the horrors of the world, or just because some part of me wanted to hold her.