Beautiful Creatures: 20 Years Later

Chapter 27: Runaways

Thalia POV

I knew before he brought it up that we had no choice; I knew we'd have to run away from Tony and Krystal. Yet, even as the sun rose bright that morning, I refused to think about it, refused to admit that they'd be discovered by the others eventually.

But I was not going to simply wait around for them to find us, either.

"Thalia? I'm sorry to bring this up... But we need to go somewhere. Or, at least, I do. I understand if you wanna go back to Tony and Krystal. But I can't. Not now. Not ever."

I nodded. "Let's go, then. No way am I leaving you. Unless you want me to."

"Why would I want you to leave?"

I shrugged sadly. "I'm Dark. You're Light. I'll probably end up hurting you..." I trailed off.

He shook his head in response. "I don't believe that."

I didn't respond, because I was well aware that I would, in fact, very easily hurt him someday. But as for now, I was just going to pretend that wouldn't happen.

"Let's go," I said instead.

So, he took my hand in his, and together we left.

I had been a runaway. But at least now I was a runaway with a friend. So, together, we walked in the opposite direction of Tony and Krystal. Neither of us knew what was to come, but I don't think we cared. Not really. Not yet.

***

We had been walking for hours, and nightfall was upon us once more. I was well aware that each day together might be our last, which is exactly what I failed to do with-

Liam.

It was true that the beautiful boy had left my mind, but Dylan hadn't really replaced him. I still loved Liam, but, at the same time, i knew that he, like Dylan, was Light. I knew that I would be a danger to him, so it was pointless to return to him. No, if I ever were to return to Gatlin, it would be for Lila Jane, and no one else.

But I couldn't help thinking about him. Did he miss me? Or was I just crazy?

Probably both.

But, nonetheless, I would go on without him. Not because I was noble. Not because I was brave.

Because I had to. As a Dark Caster. As his ex-girlfriend. And, well, to be honest, it was going to be so much easier with Dylan by my side.

So, with a heavy heart, I rushed to catch up with Dylan, who was a few paces ahead of me. When I caught up , he flashed me a cheeky grin.

"What?" I asked tentatively.

"We should stop here."

"What? In the middle of nowhere?"

"Got a better place in mind?"

Sighing, I sat on the grass, my outfit already soiled by the traveling. I lay back and began massaging my aching feet. I could feel his presence flop down beside me.

"So, blondie. Tell me a story."

"A story?"

"Yeah. Tell me about your old life. You know, before you disappear into a cloud of Darkness. Tell me about your family.

"Well, my mom is Ridley Duchannes, and my dad is Wesley Jefferson Lincoln. My best friend was Lila Jane and I had a boyfriend named Liam. I feel like I've sort of... Abandoned my family back in Gatlin. I wish my parents had another kid to fall back on, because I went Dark. And, my name before my Claiming was Jezebel."

"Wow. That's... Fun."

"Yeah... I guess. Why don't you tell me about your life before you met Tony and Krystal. I want the full story."

He chuckled. "Well, my mom was an alcoholic. My dad was a drug addict. And, they were both Dark Casters. They both used to amusement. I had a baby sister named Cassidy, and she would be thirteen now. She... Sort of means the world to me. That's why I left. Because I thought I would be going Dark, and I wanted to protect her. Even though she's still with my awful parents, I feel as if she is safer without another person damaging her life. Except... I guess I wouldn't be damaging it now."

"Wow. I'm sorry."

"Yeah. But it's not your fault."

"You should go back to her."

"That's the thing. I can't. A year ago, I met a Light Caster, who promised me she would use her powers to protect Cassidy. If I go back, she'll stop protecting her."

"Can you not just protect her yourself?"

"No. I'm Bound."

"Bound? What does that mean?"

"For now, let's just say it means I can never go home. There is no way I will ever see Cassidy again."