|SUN |MOON |TRUTH| (COMPLETE T.W SERIES)

S1: Empty Roads Leading Home

"You have to go..."

"No! I'm not leaving you."

"You have to go now! You won't get another chance."

"...you'll die out here." I pleaded, fighting through the screeching pain in my throat.

"I'll die either way...go."

Gasping out a breath of air by the sound of a shotgun blaring out in the distance, I felt my fingers sink deep into the wet soil. I felt frozen against the tree I leaned on, my shirt embedding itself deep within the cracks of the bark keeping me from sliding down the roots. Looking around the area for where the sound of the shotgun came from, my ears peered around the tree when I suddenly heard the sound of branches breaking.

"We're gonna hurt you!"

"We just want to ask some questions!" Two male voices yelled.

Hearing their barrel cock back and a couple of bullets clinking together, I dug my heels into the ground, pushing upward to stand directly behind the tree.

"It's gonna get colder...you wouldn't wanna freeze out here!"

Covered in a blanket of complete darkness, the only light peaking from above the trees was the moon, beaming down like speckles of stars in the sky through the leaves. Catching the sight of a flashlight shining around just a few meters to the left of me, I stepped over a few feet, keeping myself hidden.

"If you come out right now, we'll get you back to your family!"

Keeping my eyes on them, I waited for what felt like hours until their heartbeats were far enough away for me to make a run for it. Sprinting through the woods with every little ounce left in me, I jumped, turned, and crawled through broken tree trunks, and man-made caves. It wasn't long before I caught sight of the street lights when I noticed a few parked cars near a building. Yet, just as I ran into the street, a bullet flew right past my ear, ricocheting into a trash can.

"We just want to talk!"

Running through the parking lot, I headed straight for the truck, slipping on the loose asphalt just as another bullet flew by me. In a hurry, I rammed my hand through the back window, reaching across to unlock the door as I caught the men stepping into the parking lot. Waving around their flashlights, I reached over to the glovebox, dumping everything on the ground when I spot a pocket knife.

"Come out! Come out! Wherever you are!"

Wiping the blood dripping down my hand on the seat, I jam the knife into the ignition, quickly cracking the truck alive multiple times until it sprung back. Hearing their voices echo behind, I floored it and practically ran through the bushes until I swerved back into the road leading to the exit. Catching a glimpse of the men, they sprinted towards me, dressed in black hunting gear and struggling to keep their riffles up and alert.

Passing in and out the lanes, I ran through lights struggling to keep my hands from slipping off the wheel. By the time the stoplights started blinking red, I had already reached farmland. Post by post, I counted them as a way to keep me awake, marking down the next few miles until I saw a gas station over the hill. Their signs blinked constantly, flickering like a broken record.

Coming to halt, I parked the truck just behind the building, using the shade under the tree to hide it. I was at the point of exhaustion as I climbed out of the car and hurried into the gas station. Flinching at the sound of the bell, I looked behind me and found a middle-aged woman sitting on her stool, watching me as I paced down the aisles.

Grabbing a couple of bottles of water, I tore off a tire repair set from the end cap and threw a bag of sugar into my arms. Ignoring the alcohol and powdery donuts, I dumped everything on the counter, slamming a $20 bill for the lady. Yet just as she starts scanning, I catch a glimpse of myself on the reflection of the door. Pale white and sweaty, I looked closer to death than death itself.