I pulled myself into my car, shoving the key into the ignition. Bree hid across the backseats, her arms over her head as she slammed the door. I threw the car in reverse, whipping out of the space.

Gosh- this is the worst timing I could ever have! I shouldn't have gone anywhere, or talked to anyone, I should have left!

I gripped my wheel, gritting my teeth as I threw it into drive. I hit the gas and sped out of the parking lot with a squeal from the tires.

I need to jump on the first highway I can find, break off to another back road, just find somewhere safe, I just need to lose them! I know this is going to scare her, I know I'm speeding, but like that's my worst crime?-

"What is happening? Why are you speeding??" Bree freaked out, her voice cracking as she looked around.

I gulped, furrowing my brows before my heart dropped. Did they follow me..? If they followed me, then they may have for a while, then they saw Bree and if they saw Bree and me..

"Do you have your phone?" I asked, my voice trilling as I glanced up in my rear view mirror.

"Yea, do you need me to call the police?!"-

"No-! No, do not call them at all!" I cut her off, gripping my wheel tighter. I slammed the brake and turned right, causing her to fall across the back seat.

"Ah- Why not?? He pulled a gun on us, he's chasing us!?" She exclaimed, pulling her knees to her chest. She paused, going quiet as a snake.

"Wait, why is he chasing you?"

I exhaled, looking in the rear view mirror for them. Are they following me anymore..? All I could see was Bree's eyes watching me petrified.

This is terrible.. I can't believe this happened and this girl with no clue what is even going on. I don't even know how I could begin to explain..

"I'll explain when I lose them. Just, hang on.." I punched the gas, watching as she gripped the door, nodding.

"Okay..."

-
The entire car ride was full of aggressive turns, Bree was struggling to hang on, I wouldn't be surprised if she was full of bruises, I am but I've never had someone else with me during this..

Though, now it seems like I have lost them and I just need to find a pull over spot. That shouldn't be hard. I just know that this girl is probably freaking out in my backseat..

"I'm finding a pull over spot. Just hang on.." I glanced around, spotting a small one. Good enough.

I pulled into it, shutting off my headlights. I let out a sigh of relief, laying my head against the wheel.

I glanced at the clock. 11:32 PM. I've been driving for almost 2 hours...

"I'm still here.." Bree reminded me, clearing her throat. I turned on the interior light, glancing back at her.

She was huddled up close to the right back door, her knees pulled to her chest as she looked back at me.

"What's going on?" Her tone was stern even though her body language was showing clear signs of fear.

She's faking one of those.. "I'm just stuck here, I don't have anyone after me- he said your name!" She furrowed her brows, placing her hands on her arms. I need her to just calm down.

"Can you just.. Take a deep breath real quick?" I gulped, turning around the best I could to comfortably look her way.

Her shoulders rose and fell, but she began to allow her legs to relax a tad bit.

"Just calm.." I reassured, giving her a soft smile until her eyes grew more stern."What is happening?" She asked again, her voice deep and serious. I parted my lips, lowering my eyes.

I wonder if they've already tried to track her.. I mean, if they found me, couldn't they have been watching us talking and figure her out?- Her phone. It dinged, she checked it while we were sitting. What could have that had been? She looked confused..?

Did I put her in danger..?

"You have your phone right..?" I asked in a hush tone, keeping my eyes away from her. I could hear her sharply inhale, before pausing."Yes, I asked about the police already but you said no.."

"What did you click when we were eating?" I furrowed my brows and Bree pulled her knees closed."I don't know it was an email..? It said something about my job, so I thought my aunt maybe sent it. I downloaded the file..."

Oh dear God..

I bit my lip and covered my mouth. Gosh, what have I done..? I put her in such an awful dangerous situation. And now her being here with a phone is a danger to me.

What do I even do?

"Can you.. throw your phone off that cliff?" I asked, recieving a strong gasp from her."What?? Why are you asking me to do that? What's going on?" She began to yell a bit, gripping her nails into her legs.

"Can you please..-" "Tell me!" She shouted, making me flinch. Oh, I hate this...

"I am being chased by some bad people who want me dead, I don't have any of their money or expected this to happen, I don't have anywhere safe to go, I can't do much but run and you've been seen with me- so now you have a phone they could so easily track!" I snapped, staring at her. Bree held her ground strong despite her hands trembling.

"You already opened this email without thinking, downloading whatever file.. They know we are here right now..." I  covered my face, groaning.

"Are they after me..?" She furrowed her brows, brushing her hair back. She looks like her heart is gonna burst out of her chest..

"Yes they could be. You want to die?" I looked out the window, the dark cliff was so intimidating. But it's the only thing to do...

"And what if I just leave..?" She crossed her arms, meeting my eyes."They might try and use you as blackmail. Or just kill you when they see it won't work and have no use for you."

Bree froze, her brown eyes just staring into me."Are you going to leave me?" She asked, making me sigh.

"Only if you're a danger to me with a phone.." I snarked, hearing her huff. I furrowed my brows, trying to make out her figure in the dim light."I doubt you'd survive on your own.."

Bree froze, her breathing hitched.

She shoved my door open, I followed to make sure she didn't fall off the cliff.

I wouldn't want to witness that.

"This is for me and my families safety, not you." She hissed at me, walking to the cliff. I nodded as we reached the closest we could.

"K."

She stepped back a little, chucking her phone."You're lucky I backed-up my cloud..!" She yelled as it went flying down the cliff, hitting a couple tree limbs on the way down.

I watched as her figure jerked around to face me. Even though I couldn't make out her expression at all, I knew she was angry as could be.

"Explain the rest in the car.." She crossed her arms, starting back to the car. She swung my door open and hoped in the front passenger seat now, crossing her legs.

Her brows were knitted together as she gritt her teeth. She looks so very mad..

But I'm too tired to care right now.

-

Most the car ride was silent. She asked me random questions to break it like if I killed people, which was quite bizarre..

"Why are these men genuinely chasing you? What did you do?" She asked, staring out the window as we approached more tree lined roads.

"Stole the money." I confessed, biting my lip. Bree made a small "hm" before laughing."This is absolutely insane. You're a thief.."

I just shrugged my shoulders at her. I don't know what to say. I wish she wasn't in this car, but what can I even do now..? Throw her out? I can't do that.

I should have never agreed to food.. I should've watched where I was going, maybe I should've just left earlier.

I know she didn't ask for this..

I yawned, rubbing my eye as I struggled to stay awake. It was 2:21 AM now. No wonder I'm exhausted.. Maybe I am safe. I'll find another pullover spot. I just want to sleep and I need to call Xian.

"How long have you been running?" She asked, watching me with an unfaltering glare.

"A long time.." I sighed, glancing toward a small pullover I found. It was well hidden, most likely a place to park next to the river, but tonight it was a place to rest..

"Do you sleep..?" She asked, watching as I put the car in park."Yes. Like now." I grabbed my phone, flipping it open.

What is Xian's number..? I can never ever remember it.

I began to dial a number, I really hope this is right..

'Ring..'

'Ring..'

It rang 6 times, and then took me to his voicemail. Great..

"Ugh- Hey. They found me again. But I have worsening news. Just give me a call when you get this... Bye." I sighed as I hung up, keeping the light of the phone on.

Bree kept watching me, which began to make me feel a little uneasy. I avoided her eyes, grabbing my keys and opening my door. I'm going to my backseat to sleep..

I couldn't see her anymore as the lights went off, I just used the small light from the phone to get to the backseat. Though, the moon is full and bright tonight, if my eyes adjust I could see.

"What are you doing..?" She asked, as her figure got more visible I could see her keeping her arms close to her chest.

"..I'm gonna sleep here." I pointed toward my blanket and pillow, her tired eyes just staring at them.

"You can do what you want. But I'd recommend getting some rest if you're going to be stay here with me until I know what to do with you.." I grumbled, crawling into the backseat and closing the door.

Her lips parted momentarily, before she pinched them shut. If I was more awake, I'd be curious about what's on her mind. But right now, I'm far too tired..

"It'll be a nightmare to try and sleep though.." She whimpered, biting her thumb nail.

I yawned, rubbing my eyes."Well then, do whatever you find fit.." I rested my head against the window for a moment, hearing her move.

I fluttered my eyes back open as she crawled across my console, her knee slipping off.

I jerked away as she fell into my backseat."Ouch.." She groaned, stabilizing herself back into it.

I guess she's sleeping back here too..

I can't really say much. I guess I can't even insist she sleeps up front. Even if I feel a tad bit uncomfortable..

She curled up against the door, pulling her knees to her chest to try and stay warm. And now, I feel way too guilty now...

"Here..." I set the pillow and blanket next to her.

"Uhm. Thanks..."

Silence grew heavy as she wrapped herself up in the blanket, staying as far away from me as she physically could. I did the same.

"Goodnight.." She whispered as my eyes fell shut. Weird she'll still tell me goodnight after all the passive aggressiveness..

"Okay..."

-

B r e e

I can't sleep... I know this. I'm just trembling. This blanket, despite a strangers, is weirdly comforting. It smells of cologne and detergent, and it's so soft against my legs. I glanced at Nash, he holding the pillow I refused to take.

He was huddled up, a jacket around him to keep him warm. He doesn't look peaceful whatsoever, honestly he looks like he's having a nightmare.

His eyes carried dark, heavy bags and his lips appeared dry, dehydrated almost. Does he even care for himself..?-

A cars headlights passed by. My heart started racing and I closed my eyes. Oh please don't be that man...

We were tucked down in the wooded area, trees hid his car but I could still see people's lights. But with every single one, my breath would hitch and fear flooded my body. Gosh, this is so uncomfortable.. I shifted, my foot brushing against his leg.-

Oh shoot, please don't wake please don't wake please please.. I cringed, pulling away from him. I opened my eyes, he was still dead asleep. Oh thank God. I released the breath I was holding in and reached toward my bag.

I dug around, I'm sure I have something to distract myself... We still had the lantern on low, it was on my side of the seat now. That helped a lot, because I really don't like sitting in this dark car.

Surrounded by the darkness...

My heart dropped as I looked out the window and into the woods. Just pitch black... Oh, I don't like that..

I sunk down into the seat, clinging the blanket tighter around me. I never hated the dark, I love it. Until right now. Maybe it's because I'm sitting next to a stranger?

Oh gosh.. I placed my hands over my face, whimpering. Why did I hit on him..? And it didn't even go well..

I glanced at him once again. I mean, he surely doesn't seem dangerous. He looks so melancholic. He's friends with Xian..

Wait, does that mean Xian knows? That is picking my brain now.. Every time something clicks, another question arises.

This all is just too baffling to comprehend.. I laid my head against the door, trying to get as comfortable as I can.

Who knows how long he'll be asleep. And I just have to sit here, waiting..

I closed my eyes and inhaled. I have to deal with this now... Even if I won't be able to sleep well..

-

"I didn't kidnap her- Agh!" Nash's voice rose, startling me awake.

The car shook and with a screech, halted. I grabbed the door and gasped."What's happening??" I looked around, seeing we were in a more populated area.

I switched my attention to Nash. He was now driving. His baby blue eyes were burdened with dark bags. He didn't look rested. At all.

"Oh- Uhm.. Listen, I'll see you guys.. Please check on my car when I get there too. Okay, thank you. Bye.." Nash hung up the phone, flipping it shut and throwing it into the seat.

"Ehem... Good morning. Someone pulled out in front of me." He sighed, stopping at the red light. I nodded, rubbing my eyes."Who were you talking to..?" It may be nosey, but I am curious..

Nash's pale blue eyes flickered in the rear view mirror, only to glance back to the road. The awkward tension between us is so thick you could cut it..

"Okay don't answer me.." I snarked, laying my head back against the seat.

What time is it..? And where are we..? I'm sure he won't answer any of my questions. But I'm persistent.

I brought my head back up, glancing toward the console. 7:35 AM..

"How long have you been driving?" I asked, rubbing my tired eyes. Sleeping in a car with no pillow is hell.

"Since 5:43. I couldn't sleep anymore." He shrugged. I leaned up between the seats, sighing."Where are we headed?" I glanced up at Nash. I'm surprised he answered one question, so maybe I'm testing my luck with two.

"Lovettsville," He began, glancing at me for a moment out the corner of his eye ."Do you always wake up with so many questions?"

"Only when I'm kidnapped." I laughed, seeing any sign of amusement he could have flush out of him.

I lost my smile, seeing him so cold made me feel worse and I don't even know him.. I crossed my arms, sitting back.-

My stomach growled, making my cheeks blush red. Oh why is this so embarrassing..?

Nash turned on his signal, waiting at an intersection.

".. I'll stop and get you food. What do you want?" His voice was weak, almost like something was wrong with what he asked. But I still appreciate the food...

I am starving.

"Uhm.. I'm not sure yet."

-

Nash got me a blueberry muffin and an iced coffee, though I noticed how he bought nothing for himself. Not even a drink... I couldn't imagine.

I got in the front passenger seat now, it was easier to stay awake here but I also was given the pillow so it's tempting to fall back asleep.

"Aren't you hungry?" I asked, taking a bite of the muffin. Nash was driving with one hand now, his tired eyes didn't bother to flicker toward me like the had before.

"Uhm... You know, I'm so tired all I want is sleep when we get there." He brushed his hair back as we stopped at another red light.

"Why are we going to Lovettsville? It's such a small town- oh..." Suddenly it all clicked together.

Coal and Xian are there..

"I know a lot of people there.." He replied right after, pinching the bridge of his nose with a sharp inhale. Is he okay..?

"You seem really really tired.. Can you drive?" I asked and Nash nodded, wiping the condensation off of my iced coffee and tapping it under his eyes.

"There. Good as new.." He flicked his hand around, mocking a magical sprinkle as the light turned green.

I rolled my eyes and turned away from him, cuddling into the pillow against the door. It smelled like cologne again..

It must be the one he is wearing, though I haven't gotten close enough to know.

"Just another hour. We'll be fine. And then I'm going to find a place to sleep... " He yawned as I nodded. I just want my bed...

My pillow, my perfume, my car... This is awful..

I glanced at my bag now at my feet. I know I wanted to leave that small town.. But I thought it wouldn't be running to stay alive and keep my family safe..

What have I gotten into..?

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