"Stop!" I turn quickly and see an angry Chadum huffing and puffing as he stalks to me.

I stretch a hand out and ice shoots from my finger tips and to his legs stopping his movements. I turn on my heels not wasting any time and take off running through the woods. I hear the break of ice and pick up my pace.

I trip as my legs give from under me as the adrenaline starts to wear off. I scramble and hide behind a tree. Another wave of heat goes through, thankfully not as strong as before.

"Come out Macey." I suck in a deep breath and start to shake as I hear how close his voice is. I slowly stand, my legs shake from anxiety and malnourishment. Yet I push myself to take off running. I hear footsteps behind me until arms wrap around me and I fall under his weight.

I cry out as I hit the forest floor, sticks and stones bruising and cutting up my body.

He rolls me over as his hands wrap around my throat. "Sleep my love." My eyes widen as I try to breath in but failing. I claw at his hands but he only tightens.

My eyes water as I try and swing at him weakly. My lungs burn. I face my palm to his face and ice shoots out hitting him making him fall back. I roll over and take off again. I run through the woods and hide behind another tree.

"You can run all you want, but Macey, I will always be right behind you, you are mine. I am yours."

My eyes widen at his words. My head falls. I'll always be running, always looking over my shoulder. I could never go home.
I breath in deeply.

Then let the chase begin.

With a new determination I look infront of me and take off running again. I try teleporting but I cant seem to concentrate enough to do so. I hear him gaining on me as I push myself. He grabs my shoulder pulling me back making me fall again.

I cry out as my back hits a rock, pain shoots through my weak body. He punches me in the face.

"If you won't be with me in this life, then you will in the next," Chadum roughly states as he pulls out a knife bring it over his head and then bringing it down towards me.

I scream and close my eyes and move my hands to block my face.

Nothing happens.

I feel a drop of something warm on my hand.

I open my eyes slightly. I hear gurgling. Another drop of something warm in my hand. I move my hands and gasp at the sight.

Ice.

Two large icicles go straight through Chadums neck, blood squirts everywhere, covering me and the ground. I crawl from underneath him and look back to him. The icicles are holding his body up.

I can't seem to look away. His eyes are lifeless, but they stare into my soul. I cover my mouth as a sob escapes me. I flinch as the wetness of the blood from my hand touches my face. I slowly stand, finally tearing my eyes from Chadums lifeless body. I'm covered in blood, both his and mine.

I walk to a tree and lean against it as I think of my house. My front door.

I feel the tingles go through my body. I open my eyes.

I almost cry when I see my front door. Suddenly I have my hand on the doorknob. I turn it as though the door knob could disappear. I walk through the door and see my mother and father who look at me with disbelief. 

My mother covers her mouth as she looks at the state I'm in. My father looks pained.

My mother steps forward slowly. I want to glare at the concerned look on her face.

I'm to tired.

"Navi?" My mother questions as she takes another step to me, her hand reaching out to me.

"Dont touch me," I say harshly as I take a step back. My arms are wrapped around me. I want to take a bath and get some clothes. I look to the stair case. I take a step towards it. Suddenly I hear a gasp. I turn towards the kitchen.

Annie looks at me as though she sees a ghost. She looks as if she hasn't slept in a long time. Her hair is greasy, and she looks as though she has lost some weight.

I bet my mother is proud.

I scrunch my nose at the thought.

Annie rushes to me and I instinctively flinch causing her to slow down.

She blinks back tears as she looks at my bare and bruised body.

"We need to get you to the hospital Navi." Annie says softly as she softly places her hands on my arms.

"I need a bath first." I state, with shaky legs I take a step towards the stairs.

"Navi, you are injured, really bad." I shake my head.

I need a bath, not a hospital. I need a bath, in my room and put on my clothes. I need a bath desperately.

"No," I state softly as I go for another step.

"Navi-" Annie pleads with me, her eyes begging me, but I look at her and cut her off.

"Annie, I need a bath, please, I want a bath and to put on some of my clothes. Please, I just want to take a bath and then we can go." I plead her with my eyes. I'm shaking in her arms. I'm covered in blood, I want it off now.

I've just notice she seems to be holding most of my weight.

"Navi we need to go-" my mother starts but a sharp glare from Annie stops her.

"Come on." Annie helps my fragile body up the stairs. We go into my room and into my bathroom
She sets me in the closed toilet seat. She runs a bath and goes in the bedroom and grabs some clothes.

I touch the counter top, confirming all of this is real. Annie comes back in and helps me up and into the bath, she hands me a rag and puts a towel beside the tub.

"When you get done call me and I will help you." Annie walks out and shuts the door behind her.

I sink into the bathtub letting my hair get wet. The water starts turning pink, it makes me tense but I try to ignore it.

I want to cry, for some reason I can't, I just stare at the ceiling. I take the rag and slowly wash my body. I hiss when I come across a cut, or a bruise.

I feel weak and numb. I should be happy I'm home. I rub the tub, reminding myself again I am home. This is real. I slowly stand up on shaky legs and grab my towel. I wrap it around me and step out of the tub. I avoid the mirror, I dry off and put the black panties and black pajama pants with a blue tshirt.

I jump as the door opens and look at Annie. She looks at me with worried eyes. Her face is red, she must have been crying. My poor sister. What has she gone through since I've been gone.

She keeps looking at me, making sure I'm still here. She grabs my hand and helps me walk out of the bathroom. I stare at Annie.

"Annie." I whisper. Annie looks in my eyes, "I missed you."

At my words Annie's lip trembles as does her hands on my arms. She slowly brings me completely into her arms, her head in the crook of my neck. A sob goes through her body as I return the hold. She shakes in my arms as she tightens her hold on me,I want to wince as she squeezes my bruises and cuts but the I ignore it, I'll embrace this pain if Annie needs this. I close my eyes, taking it all in, reminding myself I am home.

Annie pulls away slowly as she moves her left hand to wipe her tears away. Her face is flushed, she looks at me with a sad smile. "I missed you too, Navi."

She leads me down the stairs, never letting go, as if I could disappearing she let go. I spot Daniel and Riley. When they see me both of them look over my body. Sad smiles take over their faces. I notice they are holding hands.

Both of them look tired, unwell. Daniel moves to me causing me again to flinch. I grit my teeth, tired of flinching.

Daniel and Riley grab me gently yet I still flinch. Annie grabs a bag and opens the door. Suddenly I blink and we are in the car. Riley is driving, Daniel is in the passenger side talking in a hushed whisper on the phone. Annie is beside me. I notice from the corner of my eye she glances at me every couple minutes. Her arm brushes against mine constantly.

I breath in deeply wanting to go back home and go to bed.

**********

Like I said, work is slow today. 😂

So here you go 😁😁

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