My Demons (Book 1)

Chapter 4: Sleeping Beauty

Alex's p.o.v

I shot up panicking, flooded in sweat. Instinctively, my hands patted my neck. No hands where there. My mind felt hands wrap round my throat, yet I saw nothing, my racing heart slowed down at the realisation that it was purely my imagination. I tried to go back to sleep, but I was always awake, even when I screwed up my eyes tightly.

After I was allowed out of the cellar, I crammed my holdall full of clothes, my phone and some bottles of coke. Phil was going to sort out the food and money, but I still packed a jacket of jaffa cakes I had been saving.

I swung the bag over my shoulder and walked down the corridor. Kids stared at me in disbelief and shock. No one knew how I could talk to Mrs Clinton like that, get the worst possible punishment and still have a smile on my face the next day. Some of them asked me if I had a problem or was dropped on my head when I was a baby. However, I just shrugged and ignored them.

Again, Mrs Clinton could do all she wanted, but nothing...nothing would break me! I was invincible. No one could tell me what to do or how to act. I was my own person. I was in charge of my own thoughts and emotions. No one could influence me. No one...not even the Queen of England could tell me what to do.

After the small pep talk with myself, I was pumped and ready to face anything. Closing the door behind me, I began jogging down the road towards the woods. Now all I needed was Phil.

Phil's p.o.v

Zipping up my bag, I felt dizzy. This was risky. Too risky even. I sat down on my bed and put my head in my hands.

I could not do it. This was all too much for me. What about my mum? Who would protect her from my dad if I was not here? She was all I had left...except for Alex of course. I smiled. Him and me made a great team and we could see the world together. It was like we were young again; pretending to be penguins and going on adventures.

My pounding heart quicken as I twisted the door knob slowly. Glancing up and down the corridor, I let out a sigh of relief when I found no one there. I tiptoed down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as a mouse. I was like James Bond. I crouched and snuck past my dad's bedroom, I managed to make it to the front door without waking up my dad. He would give me Hell if he knew what I was doing. My dad had warned me that if I ran away again, I would wish I was dead. I swallowed hard.

Here goes nothing.

The wind whispered in my ears, while the sun smiled down at me. A gentle breeze cooled down my face. Everything was tranquil and untouched. For a second I forgot about my problems. My dad. My failing grades. My haters. The weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders, only me and the chirping birds...until I heard my dad yelling.

My adrenaline soared. Sprinting towards the gate, the door was flung open by a very angry looking giant. He was ready for his morning run around town. Shit. I had totally forgotten about that! He crossed his muscular arms over his chest.

"Where do you think you're going?" He shouted, still standing in the doorway. I paused at the gates for a moment, pondering over whether to go through with the plan or not. He stared at me, deep in thought. After what felt like an eternity, I had made up my mind.

Hell yeah!

Racing down the pavement, I imagined he cursed loudly. He followed swiftly after me, but I was one step ahead of the game. I leapt over a low hedge and dashed across the field, after bounding over the road from our house. My legs kept moving as the grass brushed past my ankles.

I could not let Alex down.

Alex's p.o.v

Cursing under my breath, I ducked under low hanging branches. Six times I had been hit by branches. Six bloody times! I clenched my fists as I climbed over a log. Because I had been stupid enough to wear shorts, my legs were red and bruised from falling over and wondering off the dirt path. Thankfully, I had not come across any poisonous plants yet. Yet.