On The Run

1| new beginnings

This place was no different then any other. It was cold, drab and nothing like what I once had
I believe the truth behind a person makes a home not a building, the person or people who were once my home are no long here to do that 
And it's all my fault

If it hadn't been for me, they would still be here. We would be doing this together. I would have a family to rely on, a life I built myself. My true identity back.

"Wren, without being a broken record. You know the drill right?" Alison said through the speaker of the car. Nigel and I had just arrived at the new house, this would be the first time that I had been trusted to be here on my own
It's not that I want this, because trust me I don't. I would much prefer to have both of them here like I usually do 
But as they heavily remind me, if they keep hiding with me that's two less people on the ground helping to catch him 

"Check in once a day with one of you. Wear the necklace no matter what. If anything seems off I go to the basement and call you" I explained
"And?" Nigel said
"No drawing attention" I muttered

Nigel and I have never gotten to know each other past his cold exterior. He's driven, balanced and knows this is all a job for him, I bet the moment they catch him he'll leave without looking back
Alison is different. She took to me like a hell fire, she hated everything I had been through. She was almost another sister to me 
I guess sooner or later I'll need to learn to detach from her too

"I'll be back on the red eye in an hour Alison, I just want to check everything was set up in the house correctly" Nigel said before hanging up the phone not wanting to linger too much

Over the years, I've learnt short calls are better then no calls, long calls aren't permitted. All it takes is a call a second two long and it can be tracked faster then anyone can scream out for help

As we walked into the house, I couldn't help but hear the bass of the music coming from the garden next door, from the stench of the air it was easy to realise it was a bonfire of some sort
I sighed walking inside following Nigel 

The living room was bare, it had the usual furniture sure but there was no home feeling, no photo's nothing.. It wasn't allowed
All it would take was one photo and he could trace it
The kitchen had a hidden door to the basement, the only way to access it is with a fingerprint and if things are staying the same. The only people who are registered is myself, Alison and Nigel 
Not that they'll ever be here to use it 

Letting go of them today, is like losing family all over again. Sure this time it won't be at violent, it won't be terrorising but it'll still hurt
"Everything is in position" Nigel said coming back into the kitchen

I took at a look at him to see his demeanour was the same it has been over the years, he really didn't ever let me in and I hated it
When this all started, he warned me not to get attached to him or Alison but how was I supposed to not? They were my fake parents for the last 4 years. Through every town, every house, every new story. Their relationship with me was always the same

"Look kid" He started but I shook my head almost running towards him wrapping my arms around his chest pulling him into a tight hug
He sighed and for the first time in the history of knowing him, he wrapped his arms around me too 
"I know I told you to be brave, I know I told you to fight. But know that if anything goes wrong, I'm always a call away" He whispered

--

That was that. Nigel had left, Alison wasn't due to make contact until tomorrow evening. For the first time in four years I was alone and I was fucking terrified
There are camera's covering every inch of the exterior of this place, not a blind spot in sight. I should feel safe, god I should but I don't 

None of this feels right. None of this belongs 

I looked out the window of my bedroom to see over into the neighbours garden. I was right about the bonfire and from what I could see, it was still going strong
The garden was flooded with teenagers, most of them seemed to be drinking
There were disco lights set up all around the garden while a guy who looked a lot older walked around with a bin bag picking up all of the rubbish as the teenagers dropped it 

It wasn't until a window opposite mine opened that me attention shifted
A small head popped out of the window. A little girl, probably no older then 10. Her blonde hair messily placed in a ponytail as she smiled at me

She motioned me to open the window and I happily obliged, what harm could a little girl really do?

"Are you our the neighbour?" she asked making me chuckle
"I believe so, do you live here?" I asked, stupid question Wren, she's hanging out the window. Of course she does
"No, I'm just visiting my brothers. I leave again in the morning, it's Tyler's birthday" She smiled resting her chin on her hand
"Well tell Tyler I said Happy Birthday" I said 
"I think it's rude they didn't invite you. You're a pretty girl, they always invite the pretty girls" She cooed making me chuckle

"I don't think your brothers know I live here. I only moved in this evening" I said making her nod
"What's your name?" She said
"Wren, what's yours?" I asked making her giggle
"I've never heard your name before. My name is Charlotte" She smiled before the door behind her opened

"Charlie, you are supposed to be asleep. Matt will have my head on a platter if you aren't asleep soon" Another voice said
"I've got to go Wren, Tyler is moody" Charlotte said making me chuckle

"Goodbye Charlotte" I smiled closing the window moving away from it 

I watched from a distance to see Charlotte fling herself on her older brother before he tucked her back into bed leaving the room turning the light off 
Don't draw attention Wren.. That's one of the rules