Apple Doesn't Fall Far (Duskwood Fanfiction)

Chapter 1

I'm standing in my small bathroom staring at myself in the mirror trying to take deep breaths to keep from hyperventilating. "Breathe in," I say out loud to myself and take a deep breath in. "Breathe out," I say letting it out. "It's going to be ok. No matter what happens it will be ok." I say to my reflection trying to reassure myself. The truth is I don't know if everything is going to be ok and I'm freaking out. It's been two months since I spent that night with Jake. Two months since I completely gave myself to him. He was the first guy I've ever been with. I always admired my mom and dad's relationship and how my dad was the only person my mom had ever been with. When she would tell me stories from their younger days and how he would always bring her flower and her favorite candy to her work to brighten her day. She talked about how special he made her feel and how she knew pretty quickly he was the one. Ever since I was a kid I dreamed of finding someone that made me feel the way he made her feel. I found that person when I met Jake. I fell for him long before we met but finally meeting him and being in his arms was heaven. One thing led to another and we got so caught up in the moment that neither of us thought of using protection. God, how could we have been so stupid? The alarm on my phone beeps signally the 3 longest minutes of my life have passed. I close my eyes and grab the stick off the counter. I take a long deep breath before opening my eyes and looking down at it. There they are two pink lines staring back at me, taunting me. Two pink lines that will forever change my life. Suddenly I know exactly what I have to do. It's going to hurt like hell and possibly break me but this is not about me anymore.

I walk back into my bedroom and grab my phone. I delete all social media profiles I have then open my messages to do the one thing I promised I wouldn't. Two months ago I promised Jake I would never leave him and that I would always be by his side. Two months ago I was so ready to throw my life away and go on the run with him. It's funny how so much can change in just two months. He's a wanted criminal and I cannot be so selfish as to put my love for Jake ahead of my, no, our child's safety and well-being. I refuse to let our child go through that. He or she deserves to be safe and happy and life on the run from the government would be neither of those things. I have to do what's best for this child even if it hurts. I think back to an earlier conversation. How far is too far? When another person's life is in danger. It's fitting in this situation too if I choose to be with Jake that puts our child's life in danger and I refuse to do that. I quickly type out a message to Jake before I change my mind.

Jake, the night we spent together was the best night of my life. In such a short time you have made me incredibly happy. I know I promised never to leave you and when I made that promise I had no intention of ever breaking it. However, in the last two months things have changed and I can no longer keep that promise. I think it is best if we end this. I love you. Please don't ever doubt that but right now this is bigger than you or me. I hope one day to be able to tell you why I'm doing this and you will agree that this was the best decision. I love you. Please stay safe.

Jake is online.

I see the notification that he's online and I see the bubbles pop up that he's replying and I do the only thing I can think of. If I read his reply I might back out and I can't afford to do that. So I smash the phone on the counter as hard as I can breaking it into a hundred pieces. Tomorrow I will get a new phone with a new number. I am thankful I never told Jake or anyone else from Duskwood my real name and never put it on social media either. I will no longer go by the nickname I've had since I was a kid. MC doesn't exist anymore from this day forward I am Marabella Carter.

I quickly pack all my things, luckily I don't have much, and the lease is up next month. I throw everything I own into the back of the car. I need to get as far away from this place as possible. Jake will probably come looking for me and I don't plan on being here when he does. Climbing behind the wheel I make a mental note to get rid of this car as soon as possible too. I'm going to go stay with my sister who is a few hours away. She lives in a small town where everything is within walking distance so I can sell this car and walk everywhere I need to go for a while. Jake taught me how to disappear but I bet he never thought I would use his advice to disappear from him one day. I back out of the parking lot and head for the freeway. This is it. This is the start of my new life.