Your heart pounded in time with your feet as they propelled you through the forest line and into the darkness of the trees. You could hear the car screech to a stop and shouting erupt behind you, but you were already too far away for the words to stand out
2 miles...2 miles... just run 2 miles... Your brain repeated over and over as you struggled to look at the ground in front of you. Various tree roots and twigs stuck up and you didn't want to fall and lose even more time trying to get to the right spot.
The trees passed you in a blur and the shadows molded together to create various shapes, some of which resembled humans a little too much and caused you to turn your head.
Once you were sure you were a decent distance from the road, you turned and ran parallel to the way the cars were going. Leaves crunched under you and far away an owl called out, increasing your already high nerves.
It was so quiet.
There was no sound around you. No screaming of the boys, no pounding of footsteps in your direction, no cars squealing by in attempt to find you. You weren't stupid enough to think they had given up but you were confused by the lack of pursuit.
Continuing on, you weaved between trees and glanced around every so often. A squirrel scurried past you and up a tree as you disturbed its hunt for food and birds flew from the trees occasionally.
If it takes 25 minutes to get to the road I have about 13 left... You thought as your lungs started to burn. Your pace had slowed down considerably, but you were still running at a light jog, the adrenaline nullifying any sense of exhaustion you had.
Patches of moonlight lit up the forest floor and you glanced up at it and almost laughed. A full moon tonight of all nights, fitting.
Another five minutes passed and your breathing became more labored. Slowing down to a speed walk you fought to even out your breaths and find the energy to run the last few minutes.
I'm so close, I can't just half-ass it now
You shook your head slightly, took a large gasp of air and started running again, the safety of the edge of the estate the only thing in your mind.
Sounds of footsteps came from up ahead and you stopped and hid behind a tree. A few seconds later Xander appeared, running past you with a wild look in his eyes. You froze and listened until you were sure he was far enough away before slowly leaving your spot and continuing toward the road.
Somewhere in the distance, you heard a vehicle crashing through the trees and ran faster, wanting to make sure it never came close enough to see you.
This is too close...Why are they all so close to me!?
A gunshot rang through the air and you jumped, pausing mid stride to look around. There was no one looking at you but the sound hadn't been that far away.
Your lungs burned and your muscles in your legs felt like lead but you pushed on, clinging on to the hope that you'd make it to the road and the spot safely.
The edge of the treeline appeared in front of you and you propelled forward, the night sky suddenly becoming visible above you.
Bending over with your hands on your knees, you fought to catch your breath and stop the dizzy feeling overtaking your brain.
After a few moments of breathing, you looked up and around at where you were. You looked to the right which you were pretty sure the spot was and then to the left.
Your heart stopped as you saw a person with blue hair down the road, his back turned toward you.
Cursing silently, you backed into the treeline and started walking parallel to the road, heading to the right.
It was silent for a few minutes until the phone buzzed and you jumped again.
Stop being so fidgety... You thought as you turned the phone on and saw a text from Gabriel.
Gabriel: Are you okay? Did something go wrong?
You started jogging as you typed out a reply.
(Y/n): I'm on my way, I think I came out a little too far from the spot but I'm heading there now
Noise from up ahead startled you out of the conversation and you looked up to see Elijah leaning against a tree, not yet noticing you.
You darted behind a tree and watched as he took one more look at the road and walked back in the forest, his walk slow and terrifying.
I'm so lucky he didn't notice me.
You came out from behind the tree and started running again, your eyes watching where you had last seen him.
After about three more minutes you could see a car on the road in the distance. Hope swelled within your chest and you used your last amount of strength to run towards it, running on the road.
A group of people stood around the car, seemingly having a conversation. You could recognize one person out of all of them.
Tears came to your eyes as you barrelled towards him, "Gale!"
The black haired boy turned to look at you, his eyes immediately filling with relief. You ran into him, causing both of you to fall to the ground as you wrapped your arms around him.
"You got away." He breathed as he sat there stunned.
You buried your face in his shoulder and let loose a shaky breath, "I did it."
The two of you stayed that way for a few moments, clinging onto each other as if you were the only people left in the world.
"(Y/n) (L/n)?" An unfamiliar voice said and you sat up to see someone with a police badge standing above the two of you.
"Yes, that's me." You said, standing up and helping Gale up as well.
"I see. Gabriel Roe told us what was happening and we're here to get you away as soon as possible." His eyes were full of questions but he didn't ask any of them.
"Oh okay." You said, still shaking.
I got away... Im free! I get to live again!
Gale put a comforting hand on your back and you finally realized the other police officers standing around. None of them stared at you directly, but you could tell they were monitoring you.
"Where is Gabriel?" You asked, turning back to the officer.
"He got called on business about 10 minutes ago. He left your safety to me." He answered.
Guilt creeped into the back of your mind. Gabriel had risked so much for you and you hadn't done anything for him in return.
"Miss (L/n), I'd hate to cut this short but your father is insisting we get you to him immediately." Another officer said and you nodded.
"Alright, is he coming with me?" You looked at Gale.
"He is to come in another car." The first officer answered.
You gave Gale an alarmed look but he smiled, "You'll see why."
He walked away from you to another car and got in the back, waving goodbye.
"I've been told you have a friend you lost connection with in your time in this estate." The officer said, walking over to his car.
You gave him a questioning look as he grabbed the back handle of the car. He pulled it up and the car door swung open, revealing someone sitting inside.
Your eyes widened and you fell to your knees, a hand covering your mouth.
"You thought I was gone, didn't you?" Riley asked with a soft smile.
~Two years later~
You sat on the couch of your dads suite in some remote tropical city. You were watching tv and Gale's head rested on your shoulder as he silently dozed.
Your dad had left two hours prior to deal with a case and had specifically told you not to go outside until he was back.
Glancing out the window, you could hear the dull murmur of the crowds on the roads below and smiled softly. It wasn't perfect, but it was a better life.
After you had been brought back to your dad, you were shocked to see tears in his eyes. It was the first time you'd seen your father cry.
After questioning you millions of times he decided you would be tutored from home and weren't allowed to leave the house until you finished your schooling. You had agreed although you left the house without him knowing at some times.
Your father had also taken a liking to Gale and entrusted your safety with him. The two of you were very close now but you still didn't know how close he thought you two were.
You glanced at him and smiled slightly. Gale had always treated you right and had helped you escape in the end. Of course you would have ended up falling for him.
None of the boys had tried to get to you as far as you had heard. You were blissfully safe behind your father and Gabriels money.
You never really knew what ended up happening to Gabriel, just that he was no longer with Josephine. He had gotten his happy ending too.
Riley filled you in on all that had happened at Northview. After Abby's death, there was talk of a potential serial killer and security at the school had been up. Once news of your disappearance got around, everyone was sure you were dead. Apparently Louis from the art club had made portraits of you for the missing person posters and other people from the school had helped out trying to find you, but they had obviously been unsuccessful.
Gale sighed beside you and you gently lifted his head off your shoulder. You maneuvered yourself so that you got up and laid him down on the couch.
As you were about to leave, his hand reached out and grabbed your arm.
"Where do you think you're going?" He asked, sleep still lacing his voice.
"I was going to go get a snack." You said as you turned to face him.
He mumbled something and pulled you closer.
"What did you say?"
He opened his eyes slightly and looked up at you, "Don't go. I sleep better when you're around."
You laughed, "And why is that."
"No one can take you from me again." He said as he dropped his hand.
You raised your eyebrows, your heart beating faster.
He looked at you for a few seconds before saying, "Your eyes are so pretty... Did you know that? I want them to stare at me forever."
You laughed and sat down beside the couch, "I dont think anyones ever said that to me."
"I'll say it to you everyday if you want me to." He sighed as he closed his eyes again.
"I think you're still asleep." You said with a smile.
"I'm very much awake." He said in a less than convincing voice.
"Sure Gale."
"(Y/n)..." He trailed off, his eyes opening again.
"What?" You asked.
"I think I love you." He said as his eyes landed on your lips.
A cool tropical breeze came in through the windows as you stared at him with wide eyes. He leaned forward, glancing at you to see if you wanted to say no, before he kissed you.
It wasn't one of the ones any of the boys had given you. It wasn't rough, impatient, lust filled. It was soft, gentle, loving.
Gale pulled away and looked at you worriedly.
"Do that again." You breathed, trying to calm your racing heart.
"You didn't mind?" He asked, still searching your face for a negative emotion.
You smiled at him, "No not at all Gale. I think I love you too..."
His face exploded in happiness as he leaned in again.
This is what I fought for.... You thought as his lips met yours again.
This is what my freedom is.