FLEE
┗━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━┛
Left to fly asunder
Into the rivers of deep
The icy grasp of fear meets

A lone naked willow stood aside the tarnished, gated entrance to the old boarding school. The skeletal branches fell and billowed in the soft wind with winter drawing near.

Crazy shivered.

Aubens eye needled the side of her skull while she gazed beyond the picketed fencing. A bulb flickered from a lamppost on the dark streets beyond. Nerves pulled at the lining of her stomach provoking an acidic wave that crested.

  She swallowed back bile.

   You've got to breathe.

  "Guess this is a good time to mention I have a plan."

"...What?" That broke her from a dazed state instantly.

  Half shadows crept across a sharp, downturned nose above thinned lips. "I told you you wouldn't end up like those Chosen. So, I made sure there was a Plan B."

  This threw her for a loop. "What do you mean a plan B?"

  He dragged a finger across the small indent in his chin. "I'd already started to plan when you received the letter." His lips curved into a smirk then, pleased. "About six blocks over is Arlene's Pontiac." He shrugged at the incredulous look she threw him. "Never keep your keys in too obvious of places. Or have me purchasing your alcohol."

  An unspoken question surfaced in her wide eyes.

  He was quick to placate her. "I'm not a dumbass, Crazy. I made sure it's parked in a vacated spot to avoid a tow. I stacked the trunk with what meager toiletries you owned. It will only get you by for awhile, but replace that damn toothbrush when you can. Now, inside the left-front tire you'll find the keys."

  The sheer disbelief left her speechless. There were moments she'd misjudged him as a self-centered asshole. Precisely when this here, was out of the context of his character. "How did...? I mean does anyone—"

  "No," Auben interjected, sharp. Enough to evoke his ire."I couldn't risk some nark selling you out."

  "But the kids," Her voice quivered as she grabbed the lapels of his jacket, the leather bent between fingers. "They need to be prepared and protected yet. I can't just leave them!"

  Despite the hard front she often exhibited, she genuinely cared about the orphans. Even Bry, with a trust fostered. At night she tucked the little ones in bed. At mealtimes, she'd divide her portions to whoever came up short. And what would happen to their sessions to prepare them for the world?

  How could she leave them?
This feels worse than when my father abandoned us.

  Aubens eyes immediately darkened in understanding. "Oh no, you don't. You are going if I have to drag your ass kicking and screaming. The kids are my responsibility now until..."

  His words suddenly trailed off as muscles tensed beneath her hands. Her brows furrowed upon his severe expression.

  A light had switched on the lower floors of the building. Just as a shadow appeared at the front door.

  Their eyes locked, he shoved a finger against his lips. "Don't. Move." His head dipped before warm lips ghosted over the curve of her jaw. "We are being watched."

  Cold chills bracketed her spine.

  Aubens lips glided up her cheek followed by a gruff kiss. "Crazy, this is your only chance. On my count, you're going to run as fast as you can."

  "But—"

  "—One."

Her eyes dragged up the large, L-shaped two-story constructed from brick. Cast in shadows over unkept grounds, roots scattered like spider-like limbs. The embossed sign scrawled: Edison's Orphanage had grown worn and decrepit from the weather's residue. Yet it was the only home she'd known for the last six years.

  Paint-chipped doors opened with a resounding creak as a senior woman emerged. Stilted lighting refracted off wild, gray curls. The weathered face hinted of a former porcelain beauty, long before addiction had sucked the last remnants of vitality from Arlene Malrowe

  Bloodshot eyes filmed over from intoxication, narrowed on her as a shaky liver-spotted hand rose, "You."

  When Crazy first entered through those doors, her world underwent an abrupt shift not even seventy-two hours prior. Confronted by the new caretaker, her feigned composure barely endured a minute. When she'd attempted to seize a sentimental necklace of Crazy's, the bold act came at a significant cost. Crazy retaliated by vehemently spitting defiantly into the woman's face, much to the dismay of Human Services.

  Arlene had absolutely abhorred Crazy, since.

  As Crazy observed Arlene's mistreatment of the orphans, her disdain only deepened. Arlene sought solace in the liquor cabinet, a hollowed vessel detached from time and obligation. The orphans bore the brunt of the consequences—neglected due to a slashed state budget and the city council's apathy toward investigating the homestead. The system, tainted by corruption and laziness, deemed the children's situations as temporary, perpetuating their plight. Until they received their Chosen letters.

  "Two..." Aubens voice pulled her swiftly from her frazzled thoughts.

  She shut her eyes as her body tensed.

"... Three."

  "Auben please tell Brainy I'm—"

  Auben muzzled her plea with his lips that crashed hard against hers. Before he roughly shoved her back. "GO!"

  A pair of bright, white beams blared down the dark streets. Crazy blinked as a slick, 1964 Rolls Royce pulled up alongside the rickety gates, severing the lights.

  From that moment, everything happened simultaneously.

Her heart seemed to have wedged itself in her throat, plunging everything into slow motion. Thu-thump. Thu-thump. The rhythmic beats echoed, drowning in the rush of blood surging through her ears. As anxiety spiked, Auben materialized in her vision, his words forming on his lips but her focus sweeping to the gates, registering little.

Wait.

  Two shadowed figures surfaced, one with an ashen face. "Auben...?"

  "CRAZY, RUN!"

  The startling reality speared her nerves with horrifying clarity.

  A Vaempir...

  Somewhere in the background a voice roared, rattling her senses to snap her back as hands seized her.

  Auben.

He hoisted her over his shoulders, her hip wedged against his collarbone right as he took off. His feet sprinted towards the steep decline of ground behind the building. He threw her to the cold earth, leaving her to scramble to her feet.

  His features were twisted in fury, " GO, DAMMIT! NOW!"

  The fencing bordering the property was half a yard off. With the width of distance she was going to have to make one hell of a run. Her her eyes found Aubens, yet too choked for a goodbye, she spun on her heel and bolted.

  Adrenaline surged through her veins. Tightening the knotted hoodie around her waist, she plowed her way down the hazardous slope. The bitter chill of autumn numbed her bare skin as she ran, catching a pocket of air as she leaped off the rocky crag. Her palms met the loamy grounds as the ground came up swift, cleaving to the hem of her sweats and soaking in her trainers. Pushing through the sallow stalks of weeds and underbrush, she ran as fast as her feet could carry her before reaching the edge of the estate.

  "Ah!"

  She sucked a lungful of air through her teeth as her knees collided with the wrought iron fencing. Nevertheless, she'd already braced one foot and started to climb. The rusted pikes were menacingly sharp as she reached the top. Throwing one trembling leg over the other as to not impale herself, she pushed off.

  "She's getting away you fools!" Arlene's graveled voice resounded in the distance.

  NO!

  She pushed on harder, streetlights picketing the way. The night was uncannily quiet aside the soft swish of trainers through grass until she crossed over rocky gravel. With six blocks to cover in a sequestered neighborhood, she didn't dare look back.

Blindly searching the streets, a sudden rev of an engine roared not far behind. Her pulse throbbed as her anxiety mounted. This wasn't just an attempted escape according to the New Law. She was considered a felon, therefore liable by authorities or worse, the VBA.

  I will NOT be locked up for this!

  The muscles strained in her legs as she pushed herself on. Block after block blurred past. It had been too long since she'd run like this and already, she could feel her body wearing from overexertion.

  "Ucch!"

  Even as quick as she was, she wouldn't last long.

  Finally, she spotted it. Parallel with a red fire hydrant, was a glossy 1968 Pontiac Firebird. As headlights pierced through the darkness she cut across the street.

  C'mon Crazy!

  Rocks punctured her skin, ripping a seam in her sweats as she slid beneath the automobile.

  Left front tire.

  Frozen fingers shook as she felt along the wheel. In the blinding darkness, she sent out a silent prayer as an engine purred not behind, "Oh, please."

Just as her hands pushed against the solid rubber, serrated teeth abruptly dropped into her palm.

  The keys!

  The seconds seemed to tick painstakingly by as she jumped to her feet. Exactly as the Royce pulled up in her direction. Cursing she attempted to steady her hand while she twisted open the lock to the car. The hinges groaned as she jerked the door shut.

  "You there, miss!" shouted a voice.

  She shoved the locks down. Throwing the seatbelt over she jammed the key into the ignition. The breadth of the steering wheel wide, the automobile was deemed a classic muscle car. No question, it belonged to Arlene's parents.

  Fortunately she'd learned to drive years ago. One thing my dad was good for.

  The vehicle's engine roared to life as she levied the gas pedal. She yanked the steering wheel to the right as the tires squealed from compression, the burnt rubber pungent. "Shit I'm too rusty for this!"

  Instantly she was blinded by a blaze of lights in her blind spots. "Bring it you fucking leeches!" Smashing her foot back against the gas pedal, the car tore down the street.

Ashwood, nestled in the remote woodlands of the northern heartland state, relied on small shops and beachside RV tourists for its main revenue. With a population of just 650, the town boasted a single street adorned with small pharmacies and grandfathered cafes,  Edison's a ghostly apparition on the very edge of town.

  The neighboring homes grew shorter and sporadic with sprawls of yellowed pasture. Ashwood's water tower shrunk as the open country loomed into sight. She hoped to throw her adversaries off in the heat of chaos, her foot pushed into the car floor as it thundered on.

The road wound like a black ribbon through the thicket of trees. Glancing back, she double-checked to ensure she hadn't accumulated officers in the heat of pursuit.

  Yet, the coast appeared clear.

  She began to decelerate, only enough to avoid arousing suspicion from a state patrol, glancing wearily back every thirty seconds to double-check for her tailgater, all the while maintaining an ever-widening distance.

  Gradually, she released a relieved breath, feeling the tension unravel and her muscles loosen. Attempting to reorient herself to her surroundings, she faced forward. She would have less than a mile left before crossing the town's bridge. After that, it would be another 20 minutes until she reached the next series of unincorporated towns.

  A blaring, neon sign reflected: BRIDGE AHEAD.

  Okay, now what?

  Adjusting her grip on the steering wheel, the harsh reality set in. It was only a matter of time before her image would be broadcasted to every news outlet and police scanner. Logistically, there wouldn't be a single city not swarming with authorities scouring the area.

  Although she had a full tank of gas now, she had no money to her name. What a shitty plan this is turning out to be.

  There was a steep incline as the road ascended. With her foot pressed against the accelerator, the vehicle crested the hill to the incoming bridge.

  A dizzying rush of thoughts came flooding in. Did Auben store any cash? How else am I expected to survive? I can't turn back. Do I—

  A towering, dark figure suddenly stood in the middle of the road.

  A scream tore from her lungs as she jerked the wheel in a reactive response. Realizing her mistake too late, the Firebird crashed right-side into the steel wall of the bridge. Her head struck against the roof from the force of gravity, just as the car flipped over.

  She was swallowed up into dark, the inviting depths of the river below.