Running Wild (Sequal to I'm Not A Vampire)

Escape

**BLADE'S POV**

My heart hammered in my chest. They can't be here! I thought. There's no way! How could they have found us?! But it was undeniably them, that much was clear. I'd have recognized my own fathers blindfolded. I watched as the group walked up to the counter. Ashley and Andy went up to the front desk, talking to the receptionist in quiet tones. But it was Ashlyn I couldn't take my eyes off of. She was looking around the room curiously, her gazed steadily sweeping toward me. I pulled my book up in a flash, so that it hid my face, and cowered behind it, praying she hadn't seen me. After what felt like an eternity, but was probably only about two minutes, I risked a glance over the pages of my novel, and let out a sigh of relief when I saw my family had gone. I had a choice to make; stay here in the comfort of people, and risk my family coming back down and seeing me, or go up to my dark, empty room and face the night alone.

I thought back to the week that I had gone without Drake in my life. The recollection of the aching numb that had encased my entire being brought me to my feet, and I quickly made my way to the elevators, praying that I wouldn't run into them on my way back.

**THE NEXT MORNING**

I woke up to the feel of soft lips pressed against my own, causing a glorious wave of heat flush through my entire body. I immediately kissed Drake back, pushing through my grogginess and pulling down on the bed next to me. Beneath mine, Drake's mouth smiled. "Sorry," he muttered. "I didn't mean to wake you up."

"It's fine," I pulled back and smiled at him, relishing the feeling of his warm hands on mine. Every thought was swept out of my mind, and there was nothing left but perfect contentedness, now that he was back. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," He kissed my forehead and pulled me into a hug. "How was your night?"

Something in the back of my mind screamed at me, a memory struggling to break through the fog that clouded my mind. Last night had been so filled with terror, I could barely distinguish what was a dream from reality. "Fine," I lied, not knowing how else to reply. "How was yours?"

"Not as good as now," he kissed me softly before continuing. "You want to go get some breakfast?"

"Sure. Just let me get dressed first."

"Okay."

I stood and quickly threw on a pair of faded jeans and a plain black T-shirt before following Drake out the door. We made our way down into the hotel lobby, where there was a breakfast buffet set up on the back counter. After we'd filled our plates, we selected a table and sat down. We ate in silence, but it wasn't the awkward kind of silence. It was the type of quiet where you didn't really have anything to say, you just wanted to enjoy each other's company. About halfway through our meal, I felt Drake grab my arm. His grip was so tight, it actually hurt. I looked up and opened my mouth to protest, but then I saw what he was looking at, and my throat closed.

Andy, Ashley, Ashlyn and Matt had just walked out of the elevators. They hadn't seen us yet, but both Drake and I knew that we only had a matter of seconds. I grabbed his hand and pulled him under the table with me before they could catch sight of us. "I forgot to tell you," I whispered. "I saw them come in last night."

Drake's eyes bulged. "You forgot to tell me that the same people who are trying to track us down and force us away from each other CHECKED INTO THE SAME HOTEL AS US?!" he hissed, eyes darting to the opening under the table as we watched their legs walk past on their way to the buffet.

"I'm sorry," my heart was pounding in my ears.

"Blade, what're we gonna do?" he asked. I heard real fear in his voice, which was something I'd barely even thought was possible. Drake was always the strong one, the brave one. To see him cowering in fear before me sent a rush of piercing cold terror through my heart. This could be it. If we got caught now, that would be the end.