Chaotic (A Psychotic Sequel)

Chapter 1

HARRY'S POV

I jolted awake to the sound of my lover screaming. I shot up in less than a second and found her right next to me, her eyes staring straight ahead.

"Rose, Rose what is it?" I asked frantically, my eyes darting around the room for a possible threat.

She let out a few shaky breaths, and my heart pounded in my chest awaiting her answer. I watched her face and finally she turned her head so her eyes could meet mine. They were horrified.

"A rat. I think a rat just ran across my foot."

I sighed in relief, not able to help the grin that spread across my face as I dropped back down onto the sheets. I let out a laugh, and she turned slightly to face me. "It's not funny!"

But I continued to smile and I looked at her, while she clutched a sheet toward her chest. Her dark hair fell over her naked shoulders and her eyes looked at me seriously.

Flashed through my mind we're images of her arching her back and breathing my name from the night before.

Then in a swift motion I yanked her down into me, incessantly tickling and poking my fingers all over her body accompanied by clicking rat noises.

"Harry stop!" she commanded through delighted laughter. I made her squirm around a bit longer, relishing in that joyous sound for just a few more moments.

When I thought she'd had enough I relaxed a bit, using a hand to prop my head up and the other to rest on her waist. And then I just looked at her as we came down from our laughter.

"What?" she asked, like she might've had food stuck between her teeth. I smiled.

"Nothing."

Her eyes took on depth, seeming to reflect the awe I had in mind. Her hand came up to my face as she gently pulled it down so I could kiss her. That was one thing I was glad hadn't changed; our kisses always felt like this.

And I couldn't stop smiling through it; even when I pulled away, watched her for another moment, then involuntarily scrunched my face. "You need toothpaste."

Her mouth opened in surprise and she hit my arm. "Well so do you!" she exclaimed.

"Oh yeah?" I asked, because it didn't really seem to be getting in the way.

"Definitely," she confirmed while nodding her head. "I'd almost prefer the rat."

Oh, wasn't she just so funny. My immediate reaction was to attack her with tickles again, and our morning consisted mostly of that and more kissing; toothpaste or not.

We eventually did brush our teeth, though, after eating a breakfast of peanuts and luke warm apple sauce from our backpacks, God bless Lori and Kelsey; we need to restock eventually, though. And that thought carried with it just an echo of dread.

But not today; today, we kept moving. My body was still heavy with exhaust from the day before, as I'm sure Rose's was. But we had to keep moving.

We put on clothes (stealing quick glances at one another as we did), wrapped up the sheet tightly, and smushed them into our already cramped bags. I slung mine over my shoulder and Rose did the same. "Ready?" I asked.

"Ready," she said with a nod of her head, looking up at my bravely. I kissed her forehead and turn to lead us out the front archway of the destroyed building.

This time we didn't run, and I could keep her hand intertwined with mine. The sky was clear and we even got some sun poking through the tree leaves. This would be our first full day out; and regardless of fatigue or hunger or fear, there was something glorious about it.

It was quiet as leaves crunched beneath our shoes, until Rose asked, "So, where to today?"

I didn't answer for a moment, wishing I could give her one. "Let's just keep distancing ourselves." I said. "We'll come up with a game plan, soon, but right now I just want to get as far away as we can."

"Okay," she nodded. Something was clear or in her voice, there was confidence even behind that one word. I looked down at her one more time as she trudged forward. And in my head one thing became absolutely clear; this was my girl. It didn't matter where we ended up.

I suddenly stopped in my tracks, hoisting her up so that she could wrap her legs around me. I spun us in circles as she shrieked. Then I let her feet touch the ground again but still gripped her sides and pressed my lips into hers. Then again. Then again.

When I finally pulled away she gave me that look again.

"I love you," she said. My smile just grew bigger.

"I love you."

Then in her voice was that sureness again, that strength. She was grinning all the way through it, and I wasn't sure if she even knew she had it; but I saw it. "We can do this," she said.

I nodded, "Me and you, baby." And then just one more lasting kiss.

Then I pulled away quickly, walking backwards to keep facing her. "Now would you stop throwing yourself all over me, we have places to go."

She shook her head at me but was still laughing and scampered to catch up. We were both walking forward again, and I felt glimpses of sunlight land on my face as we did. We grew quiet once more, and I was almost content.

Almost. There was that probing thought in the back of my mind. Because regardless of where we went, I would rather it not be back where we started. And mulled over the thought that this is all it would be for a while; we'd have to sleep in abandon buildings, out in the grass, God knows where else. We'd have lukewarm apple sauce and nuts for most meals. We'd be tired of traveling only to do it again each day. We'd have to figure out a way to a better life, and getting there would pose even more challenges.

But I reminded myself that each step away from Wickendale was a greater relief. No matter what lied ahead I was leaving that behind, the hellhole that fit the name of the woman running it. I took pleasure in the thought of her crying over my actions, but I'm still a little disappointed I never got to kill that bitch too. Anyway, that's besides the point.

Because on top of that relief, each look I took at Rose made me happy to go through whatever I needed to. It would be hard and surely we'd face of obstacles, but I couldn't help hoping that we were leaving the past behind together and were heading toward something much greater.