Cheryl POV

"Don't shoot. Clear every evidence and stay low in the underground." Finn instructed his men.

"But sir..." A man started, but Finn interrupted him. "Do. Not. Shot." He growled at them. He was getting annoyed over the stress.

"Take Cheryl with you. Steph and I will cover-up." Liam informed Finn.

Finn's slightly hooded eyes stopped on his friend. "You sure? You shouldn't get in trouble." He concernedly uttered.

I could see the rising and felling of Liam's chest when he pulled Steph into his arm as he began. "There is no residence around here. This is our house. We built two years ago and have been staying here together with my wife." Boldly he certified to Finn.

"We need papers." Steph blurted. She was just as pale as I was; it was like the last drop of blood in our veins had been drained out.

Liam looked left and right and swallowed. "Is not here. We can always say it's with our parents."

"We can get you a copy in five. We'll work on it and send you through the dining room fax." Justin told Liam and Steph.

Okay, that's helpful.

"Get out of here now," Liam commanded. I didn't hear Finn refusing, though.

I wasn't functioning; I could only stare at them all. I was in a stage that had me forgetting the purpose of survival because my heart and brain were thumping than deciding my fate.

Until Finn faced me, with his hand held out, hoping for me to take.

His eyes told all the emotions going through his mind. He was fearful, pleading, and dubious. Above all, he desperately needed me.

What that moment meant was I could be able to see Eureka springs, I could be able to see my family and Mal, that meant I might even write my final exam with my mates.

All it would take was stalling or an actual scream when we got to the right place.

My eyes were on Finn's hand, but I could feel everyone's eyes on me. The room was quiet, and the air had turned tensioned. That was the most challenging choice I had to make, but at the end of the day, there must be a decision, and I made one.

I knew the consequence of following Finn, yet I did. I took his hand and nodded-bringing life to his doleful eyes.

The relief sigh he let out encouraged me to run off with him barefooted through the hallways.

"Stay safe," Liam called, but none among us replied. I hoped Finn keep us safe. At that moment, I was fully dependent on him.

There were men around the narrow corridors pulling out boxes from different doors. I'm sure they were cleaning up all those illegal stuff as Finn had commanded. While instead, we head to the third floor.

"We need to leave, not hide up here. What if they get here? They're going to get here." With panic, I fumbled my words. Samuel and Justin were behind us. The plan was to clear up all evidence in the building, including Finn's studio. Luckily Samuel had my shoes with him. They were white trainers, perfectly good for the situation we were in.

Finn's both hands grabbed my face. They were warm that I felt slightly better as he gave me assurances in his eyes. "Calm down. I'm going to protect you, I promise." Finn whispered to me, and I nodded once even though inside me was the opposite of nodding; it was dancing with fright. He smiled and released my skin to collect some black matching hoodies in the closet.

He handed me a pair and command. "Wear this." while he slipped the other one over his head without hesitation.

The sweatshirt was oversized on me, and it almost swallowed me. When I pulled my hair out from beneath the fabric, Finn wore a hat and the hood over my head, which I'm sure was to help keep me hidden from the world.

Standing with my hands visibly shaking, I watched him grab a small table knife, and then he shoved a small box in his backpack and a pistol which went behind his pants before he took my hand in his and headed towards a doubled door closet.

Thanks to how big the house was, it bought us more time before the cops could head up to the studio. Although we've used up too much for Samuel and Justin had long left. I was beginning to think we were running out of time.

I don't think my eyes could blink, for they were wide opened and fixed on my insane kidnapper or lover. I didn't know how to address him at that moment. "Finn, we can't hide in the closet," I exclaimed while my heart was about to burst out from my chest.

"Do you trust me?" He questioned.

It took me almost ten seconds to nod. At that moment, I had to trust him, for I agreed to stay beside him, so whatever it was, I had to embrace it.

Finn smiled and nodded. He wrapped his fingers around my wrist and led us into the closet just the same time I heard the studio door burst open.

Everywhere in me was throbbing. Was that moment it? In all honesty, I was praying it wasn't because I rather take all risks than let them get Finn.

If not for Finn's arms hugging me firmly, I'd have sobbed from fear, for my heart was overworking. I was shuddering and practically crying in his sweatshirt.

Then again, something weird happened. We began moving; we literally began moving.

That was when the realization hit me; it wasn't a closet. It was an elevator, an elevator that leads to a tunnel.

No way!
Finn was good. He was an excellent and intelligent person.

Everything was arranged and planned.

He really was good. I couldn't blame the cops for not being able to solve the 'FH' case for five years. They don't stand a chance.

I was amazed. How bad did Finn Hayes want revenge?

I was stunned when I found myself standing in the middle of nowhere, with only a low Mercedes Benz car parked adjacent to us.

"Where are we?" My voice was barely audible. I scanned the toughest human I've ever seen.

"Come, let's go." He could only smile at me and pulled me with him.

"You're insane." I let out a relieved laugh.

"I know." He agreed with a smirk on his lips when he got me into the passenger side and seconds later, himself behind the wheels.

"Where are we going?" I asked Finn when he turned on the car with literal buttons. Buttons.

"Somewhere safe." His voice was husky when he answered.

And we drove straight through the long narrow tunnel.

***

After about ten minutes, we finally got on the main road. The air was a relief, I felt at ease, and my system was relaxed. After what happened, you'd be surprised, but I was letting myself enjoy the world and the sight of Chicago in daylight. It was freedom.

I kept my eyes closed and let the sun shower my skin just like the universe welcomed me for the first time after a long while.

I opened the window and let the breeze wash away everything that had earlier invaded my brain. I quietly listened to the sound of car tires skimming over the road while traffic and honking of vehicles reminded me of reality.

I was running away with my kidnapper, the most dangerous person in the country. How ironic.

I realized the opened window I was enjoying was closing itself, so I tilted to Finn. He didn't say a word-he only narrowed his eyes at me. I think that was a warning in Finn's way of treating me.

It was quite a long drive, we had cut off several roads, and we were in the middle of nowhere. The sun was beginning to set.

"Sorry, I'm just gonna stop at some-some kids and then get back on the road." He informed. That was the first time since we left the house that he talked to me.

I could only nod.

It took about five minutes when we got into a small town. It was beautiful-it was green, but mostly, it was peaceful.

"Where are we?" I questioned him.

"Bolingbrook." He answered.

"Bolingbrook," I repeated to myself while I let my lunges inhale the smell of comfort. It was like an invisible blanket of relaxant and protection was wrapped around me. For the first time in weeks, I felt cheerful.

After some minutes, we stopped by some black gate. It was an orphanage home. It didn't take time when an older man finally let us in without interrogation.

I wanted to ask Finn if that was where we were taking refuge, but I held on to my curiosity side.

"What a pleasant surprise. Finn on a Monday evening, I must be dreaming." Some woman around forties to fifty said as soon as we stepped foot outside the car.

Finn chuckled and pulled the woman into a hug. "We're heading to the lake-I thought I'd stop by since it's Peter's birthday." He told her.

"That's so kind of you. He would be so happy that you could make it." The woman said, and then her eyes fell over to me.

"This is Cheryl, Cheryl Mason." Finn had a tight smile on his face while the woman's demeanor instantly changed.

I was only wondering why he openly introduced me in my full name to the woman.

"Mason?" She looked unease when she asked Finn, but he nodded anyway, shoving his hands in his hoodie pockets.

I was nervous also.

"Let's go in." Without a word or any kind gesture, the woman leads us into the building.

Either Finn noticed my posture, or he realized how impolite his friend was towards me; he held my hand in his and flashed me a warm smile. I could only return a slight unease one.

That's when it went all deafening. There were footsteps and hollers of kids approaching.

When I managed to grasp what they were reciting-they were already surrounding Finn, some were attempting to get him to pick them up.

I paused while I watched the event in front of me. Tenths of juveniles had Finn in their middle. He was squatting to their height and hugging each one of them.

It was the most beautiful thing I've seen. It was pure admiration, love, and affection. It was like they all looked up to him. They all loved him.

Everything at that moment happened slowly yet mute. I only stare at Finn, laughing along with the kids. It was like a version of my own heaven. It was-human.

Afterward, Finn went out of the building with a boy probably around seven years. I had to wait on the hallway bench.

He spent some minutes there, for I even caught sight of him discussing with the woman that welcomed him earlier and some other three ladies.

I couldn't control the tapping of my toes as I watched from the slightly opened door.

"Are you his girlfriend?" A tiny little voice asked, and I swiftly turned to find a young girl in a grey jumper.

She caught me off guard that I didn't know how to respond.

"Finn had never come here with a lady. He said 'not now' all the time." She added.

"Oh!" I said, but I was blushing in front of a little girl instantly.

"So, are you his girlfriend?" She asked again with a smile that showed her lost teeth.

"I-we, we're." I began.

Footsteps interrupted me, and I heard Finn's voice. "We should get going." The women were alongside him when they approached me.

"I love her. She's pretty and shy." The girl told Finn, making my blush deepen.

"Yep." He muttered.

"Would you come around?" She asked Finn.

"Yes, Mara, and I hope then you and everyone would prepare us a good meal?" He squatted when he playfully asked the girl.

"Yes! we would make your peanut butter and jelly." She cheerfully enunciated.

Finn smiled and looked over at me. "That's her favorite." He whispered to Mara, but I heard.

The young girl acted surprised at the great secret and giggled afterward.

Watching Finn with kids was like watching something rare, something that was hard to find, and when you get to witness it-you couldn't take off your eyes.

***

We went back on the road after Finn said his goodbye to everyone.

The rest of the drive, instead of looking around the beautiful town, I steady my focus on him.

All I could think of was how he could have such a beautiful heart. Why was life unfair?

My heart was beating against its cage, and it was beating only for him.

And for the first time, it wasn't because of fear. It wasn't because of terror, nor was it because of stress.

No! It was beating because it wanted Finn, and it felt good that it finally settled on the wounded man trying to avenge his parents.

I didn't have to ask to know he probably owned that orphanage home.

He was a lion trying to protect his kingdom and everyone in it. From the world perspective-Finn was wicked and merciless, but all he was doing was keeping the people around him safe.

"We're here." He announced, and that was when I realized the car had stopped.

It took a lot of effort to part my eyes from him, and I was welcomed by the most beautiful place on earth.
It was home.