West Coast

"I'd stay awake if I were you."

***

His breaths came in short shallow pants as we ran. Trees whipped past us and the branches were furiously scraping our skin, slim white lines evident on our arms and legs, drops of red rich liquid pouring from the cuts. I didn't know where we were going or why we were running. All I knew is that we probably would end up dead in an alley if we stayed where we were.

I trusted him to lead me in the right direction. To lead me away from my Dad's dreams for me and my stupid friends. I struggled for breath as realization rang through me like the annoying school bell. I wanted to leave- had wanted to escape since I've met him. He was my ticket out.

***

"Don't be stupid. You can't run from me." His tone was harsh, his brows pulled together over his eyes in concentration. I laughed in his face, the sound bouncing off the walls around us. I had just watched him murder a man and he didn't think I was going to run?

My back turned to him and I took three steps before being shoved roughly against the brick wall. It was hard enough that my breath left me and my eyes closed waiting for the impact of my head. After the pain pulsed twice through my brain, I looked straight at him.

His eyes were glowing with anger and a slimmer of satisfaction was hidden there too.

"Don't even try leaving. I'll find you. And I will kill you."

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