The True Partizan - 4

I Forgive You - Part 7

You thrash in the chair, knowing exactly what Claude meant. He was going to use the Hamelin formula to force you into doing his bidding.

You'd seen the effects of the toxic substance, and know how immensely it can strip someone of their personality.

You twist your wrists tied behind your back, shoving a finger through a tight gap in the knot and trying to pull it loose. You keep at this for a while, switching hands, switching gaps, until finally one comes loose.

You keep going, adrenaline pulsing in your blood, and relish as the rope binding your wrists falls.

You untie your ankles practically laughing at how easy it was to escape the knots, but then stop suddenly when you hear footsteps.

The door opens.

Haru.

The two of you stare at each other.

Haru's surprised. You're doubtful.

"Haru." You acknowledge, glancing back at the ropes discarded on the ground. "That was an accident."

His face melts into an expression you can't quite read, and he opens the door further. "Hurry. We don't have long, I'm helping you escape."

That was the last thing you expected him to say.

You take a step back. "What?"

"Y/n we don't have time for this. You have to trust me."

You stare at him, not knowing what to think. He looks different, like he never has before, he looks...scared.

Haru leads you discreetly through a small corridor, it looks as if you're in a large, extravagant hotel.

You're definitely hesitant to follow the boy you've hated for months, but have no other choice. He found you either way.

You walk into a room with two others in it.

Jamie and Lottie.

Lottie rushes over and hugs you desperately.

Jamie stares at you. You struggle to make eye contact, feeling the sting of tears biting at your nose when you do.

"I'm going to distract them." Haru announces, leaving the room.

Lottie approaches the window and forces it open, grunting with the effort.

You and Jamie continue to stare at each other. "Did you ask him to do that?"

"No. But you need to escape, now."

"I know."

Lottie starts climbing out of the window, poking her head over the sill, she looks to you. "Get out of this window immediately after me y/n."

"Okay. But don't wait Lots, go straight to Ollie's. Run."

She nods and disappears, a strong gust of cold wind rushing through the open window. The storm is still raging.

Jamie's eyelids twitch, he sniffs. "I'm so sorry. I thought it was the right thing I-."

"-Was it true?" You cut him off, your voice thick, "Do you love me?"

He looks as if he's at his breaking point. "Yes, more than anything in the world."

You lift his hand and slide Hirana's ring onto his finger, eyes swelling with tears. "This is your mother's ring. I want you to keep it. You are yourself Jamie. And I love you. The real you. Don't let others change you. And I promise I won't either."

He grips your hand so tightly, a tear dribbling down his cheek. "I'm sorry."

You reach up and gently wipe the tear away with your thumb, staring into his eyes. "I forgive you."