Follow Me |e.d.|

chapter eighteen

two years later:

-Blair pov-

I checked my book bag for the 3rd time, making sure I absolutely had everything I would need. I glanced at my watch; 11:35. I wanted to leave now, run away from here as fast as I could, but I knew I had to wait till after midnight. That's when Landon leaves his post to go be with Malory. I have spent the past two years watching, waiting, and faking. Twig thought I was their number one supporter. What they don't know is I hate every last one of them. Including Malory. She's not my best friend. She's changed. And it's all because of her terrible boyfriend, Landon.

So I pretend. I pretend to be friend with Malory and the other girls. I shamelessly flirt with the other guys but back away when they get too close. I go on missions. And I have even killed people. I am not the girl I was when Jace kidnapped me two years ago. And here I am, finally leaving all of it behind. It took months of planning, but I finally have planned the perfect escape. And if I get caught, I'll kill myself. The thought scared me more than anything. But I'm not coming back. No more gangs. No more blood. Nothing. A fresh start.

A fresh start without Ethan. At one time I thought we would spend our lives together. But on that horrible night when Freya turned us in all of those hopes flew out the window. I have spent everyday thinking about Ethan. Some days hating him. But most days missing him. After nights and nights remembering every conversation we had ever had and the events that went down that last night, I have filled in all of the puzzle pieces. Ethan and Grayson did something to get on Elements bad side, just like Bryce. And in retaliation, they took the twins and their sister. Exactly what happened to me and Bryce. I didn't hate Ethan for this, just like I didn't hate my brother.

My brother, my stupid twin brother. Whom I haven't seen in over two years. Twig didn't hold up their end of the bargain. They ended the siege on Elements after taking over only one other location. But oh what I would do to see Bryce again.

I sighed and looked at my watch; 12:06. It's time. I slowly opened my window and slipped out, climbing down the gutter. As soon as my feet hit the ground I broke into a sprint, carefully avoiding the areas the security cameras patrol. I slow to a jog as I get to the woods, only a few miles in one direction before I get to town. And then I can disappear.

-Ethan pov-

"It's been over two years Ethan, it's time to let her go." Grayson chided.

I shook my head. "No! I let this happen to her! She's out there somewhere scared out of her mind because she knows Elements is after her! We have to find her!" I yelled.

He sighed. "Fine. But I'm done, you can continue to look for her Ethan, but you're not going to find her. I'm going to bed." He swiftly left the room, slamming the door shut.

I clenched my fists together and released them slowly, taking deep breaths. "You missed something, you missed something," I whispered to myself. Pacing the room back and forth. I glanced at the white board, covered in notes, pictures, and articles. All leading to dead ends.

"She left with a light brown haired girl, who turned out to be Malory," I whispered to myself, "But where did Malory take her? She was clearly working for the group that blew up Xenon..but who is that?" I pulled at the ends of my hair, frustrated.

"Think Ethan! Think!" I punched the wall, immediately pulling my hand back in pain. My knuckles were bloody and bruised. I ignored the pain and continued to pace. Then one of the computers against the far wall pinged. The camera had caught something. I rushed over, hoping it wasn't just another bird.

And there she was. Standing in front of her old house. We had placed a camera across the street in case she would ever come back—and there she was. I touched the screen, not believing my eyes. She moved toward the house and I was broken out of my trance—I have to go get her.

I rushed out of the room, grabbing my car keys. I'm coming Blair. Hold on, I'm coming my love.

-Blair pov-

Three days. It took me three days to get to my father's house. And now I was standing outside. I knew it was dangerous to come here. Twig was most definitely looking for me by now. But I had to see, I had to see if Bryce was here. And a small part of me wanted to see my father also. I hesitantly knocked on the door. I heard some shuffling before it was opened to revel the face of my father.

"Blair?" He asked in shock.

"Dad." I felt tears brimming in my eyes, I didn't expect to feel this way.

He engulfed me in a hug. "Blair, where have you been? It's been two years! I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.." His voice became thick and I realized that he was crying.

I pulled away. "Let's go inside."

"Yes, yes." He led me inside.

I thought I would recognize the house I had grown up in. I didn't. Everything was clean and tidy. Nothing like it used to be. I looked around in awe. "What? What happened?" I asked.

My dad shakily sat down on the couch. "I-I cleaned my act up when you and Bryce left. I'm sorry, Blair. I didn't realize you two would run away because of me. I'm a terrible father."

I pulled back, surprised. This was not the man who had raised me.

I sat down next to him. "No! We didn't run away! We-." I stopped myself.

"What? Where did you go? The police couldn't even find you! They told me that you both were dead!" He cried.

I pressed my lips together. "We were taken. I got out, but I don't know where Bryce is."

My dad eyes widened. "What? Taken by whom?"

"I'm sorry, I can't say anything else."

He took a shaky breath. "I figured, but as long as your safe...maybe you can help the police find Bryce?"

I flinched. "Maybe. But now I would like to get some sleep-."

"Yes! Yes! You're probably exhausted, you're room is the same as you left it-."

He was interrupted by a knock at the door. I stood up, pulling my gun from the waistband of my jeans.

My dad's eyes practically popped out of their sockets seeing the gun.

"Shh, stay down." I approached the door, peeking out of the small window. A hooded figure stood outside. I counted to three and flung the door open—pointing my gun at the figure.

They held their hands up. "Hey! Hey it's just me! It's just me..." They lowered their hood to revel the person I never thought I would ever see again.

My love, Ethan.