Ultraviolet

Chapter Twenty-Six: Fear Strikes Out

"Are you Esme?" He pushed. The sound seemed to travel through honey before it reached my ears, thick and distorted.

"I have to go." A voice that barely resembled my own whispered as a trance took over my body. I unbuckled my seatbelt and and went to open the door, but I heard a click as the lock switched on as I pulled the handle.

"What is wrong with you?" I tried the handle again but it was still locked. I swallowed, the breath felt like it was choking me as it passed through my throat. "Violet!"

"What else did they say?"

"Well, if you are Esme, they said that you are wanted in a town called Sunshine."

"Wanted?" I hushed.

The car started to move, only slowly, and then swiftly turned right into a back street. I watched, transfixed, as Hadeon parked behind a building and then turned to me.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing." I sighed. My breathes started to speed up, then they turned into giggles. Loud and hopeless giggles that I'm sure were more haunting to Hadeon than funny.

Hadeon grabbed my face in his hands and turned me to face him. "Violet, stop!"

"Why?" I cried. "Its funny. It's hilarious actually. Extremely humorous."

"You're freaking me out."

"You are freaked out?" I spat.

"Violet." Hadeon's hands were warm on my cheeks as his eyes searched mine for answers.

"The foster family I used to live with, their son. He was obsessed with me. I guess he took my leaving to heart."

"Why are you wanted?"

"His family is friends with the Sherif. He must have framed me for something." My eyes pleaded Hadeon to believe me, and to stop asking. I didn't want Hadeon to know about the photos, about my 17th birthday, about anything that will make him see me as a victim.

He nodded once, finalising his plan in his head, then started the car and ripped the gear stick into drive and headed back on road.

"What are.. where are we going?"

"We are going to my boss." He grumbled. He wouldn't look at me. His eyes remained trained on the road, refusing to glanced back to like he always had.

"No!" I jumped. "Jessica can't know-"

"I'm not talking about Jess." He replied. "I'm talking about Adrianna."

As soon as Hadeon said her name, her words ran through my mind.

I can help you. I can make sure that what you're running from never hurts you again. And I will do it happily. But only if you tell me.

Adrianna was powerful. But not powerful enough.

"Trust me, Violet."