H U N T E D ~ T H

30

"Ow! Ow! My hair!" I winced, Tom's arm around my shoulder as he put all his weight on me, the button on the cuff of his flannel wrapping around my hair.

I pulled my hair to the side, walking him to the car, he was limping on one foot, letting out quiet groans of pain if he put too much weight on it.

He grabbed onto the roof of my car as I opened the passenger door for him, everyone had left this morning to get back to town while I was stuck babysitting him.

He held the door as he fell into the car, I slammed it shut, waving to Dr Torres who was standing at the door as I got into the drivers side.

"How's your arm feeling?" I asked as we pulled out of the hospital.

"Yeah It's alright" He replied "hurts like a bitch though."

"Well you did snap the bone" I chuckled slightly.

We were now driving down a long wooded road, there was nothing for miles, it was so quiet. Tom was looking out the window, watching the trees role past.

We have been driving for around two hours now, none of us had spoken to each other yet.

"Tom..." I spoke, inhaling a breath, keeping my eyes ahead "what happened to you, I don't think it was an accident."

"What are you talking about?" He asked, his brows pinned together as he looked to me.

"Look I'm not entirely sure" My fingers tapped on the wheel as I tried to find the right words to say "I think someone might have tampered with your bike."

"Who? Why would someone do that" He said, his eyes wide.

"I don't know" I replied "I think it's because of— of us, they could have found out that we are— were together."

He looked down to his lap, his good hand gripping the door handle. "Stop the car" He suddenly said.

"What?" I glanced to him.

"Stop the fucking car, Mackayla!" He yelled.

I drove to the side of the road, pushing on my breaks. The second the car stopped he jumped out, limping away as he held his head.

"Tom" I got out, keeping my distance from him.

"So your telling me," He whipped around, pointing a finger at me with anger "That someone is trying to kill me all because I love you?"

My mouth hung open, my heart pinging, hearing those words from his mouth. Say something, I told myself, say something.

"I— I'm not sure, it's just a theory" My hands were trembling "If someone is, we will protect you, Tom. I'll protect you."

"You!-" He pursed his lips as he tried to calm himself down, his good hand clenched "You are driving me crazy, Mackayla."

His voice was filled with so much hurt, he sniffled, stumbling his steps slightly. "One minute you have your hands all over me, then the next you hate me and never wanna see me again," His brows were raised as he spoke "And now.. now your saying you'll protect me from whatever shit you have going on."

"I'm sorry, okay" My voice broke "I wanna tell you everything, I really do, but I don't know if I can take that risk."

"Tell me you love me" He said, his tone desperate "Tell me you love me, and don't try lying to me because I always know. Say it, Mack, say it. please."

"I— I can't" I took a step back "I told you, if they find out about us—"

"Stop using them as an excuse!" He yelled "Your not saying it because your scared! Your scared of being weak, your scared of letting your guard down, your scared to trust me, you have nothing to be scared of, Mack!"