I was running. It was probably 40 degrees out and I was in jeans, Converse, a light sweater, and I was running. My face probably resembled a tomato due to the cold and I had long past lost feeling in my hands and ears. Nana's house was about a 10 minute drive from town but I was finding out quickly, it was nowhere near as close when walking. At first, I had no intention of risking getting frostbite or pneumonia but the more I considered it, the less I wanted to see of Artemis. The man might as well be the devil in my eyes.
I knew he was probably looking for me so I avoided the main road and instead took a different route through the forest. I had made it just outside of town and that only took half an hour. Granted I mostly speed walked but I was no closer to getting home. My teeth were chattering and I didn't have to look in a mirror to know I was all but turning blue. I needed to find some kind of shelter. Immediately, my old high school popped up in my head. I knew it was close and it only took me a few minutes before I arrived.
Nothing had changed in the large brick building that used to be my personal hell. I wasn't bullied or anything but I really hated school. The parking lot was empty and had I not learned how to pick a lock in the seventh grade, I probably would've frozen to death just before the glass doors. I was lucky that I had clipped three bobby pins in my hair that morning. Using them, I was able to pop the lock and enter the warm interior of the building. It was dark, and obviously empty which made the whole situation more than a little creepy but it didn't matter since I was starting to get the feeling back in my fingers. As I walked down the long hallways that were filled from top and bottom with dark blue lockers, I checked out the walls filled with posters, ads for clubs, trophies, and other memos. It was so surreal that not only a year ago was I walking these halls to Mr. Daniels' class, trying to avoid anybody and everybody. I eventually made my way into the auditorium, which surprisingly wasn't locked. I knew it was the warmest room in the whole school and the cushioned seats were really comfortable. I picked the row all the way in the back to settle down in. But then I thought about how many couples fooled around back in the dark corner and decided to move a few rows up.
I had only just placed my butt in the seat when I heard a door open. My eyes widened in shock. It was a Saturday so no one was supposed to be working. I was beginning to conjure up the worst scenarios in my head when I saw Mason making his way towards me. I noticed that he looked a tad bit angry.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, frowning since I was a little confused.
"Looking for you," He growled lowly. I stood up quickly just as he came into my row.
"Do you know how worried everyone has been? Artemis came home without you and everyone started freaking out," Mason explained, stopping just before me.
"I was tired of talking to him so I ran. How did you find me?" I asked quietly.
"You're my mate, mine. I will always find you," He stressed, pulling me into his arms, into his warmth. We stood in each other's embrace for a few moments before I broke the silence.
"Why don't you ever talk about your family?" I asked suddenly, mumbling into his chest.
"Why are you asking?" He questioned, tensing up.
"I just thought it was weird that I don't really know anything about them except for Lindsey," I responded.
"Uhm, well, we need to get you back home. You're Nana is worried about you," He told me, stepping back.
"Okayy," I said, frowning at his abruptness.
"Come on," He exclaimed, grabbing my hand and leading the way. When we got outside, I noticed that he hadn't brought a car.
