Lock and Key

Sixteen

Hazel could feel her body screaming for her to stop running but she continued as hundreds of cars passed her with the drivers watching her.

Her tears had dried to her face and it was now night yet she still didn't stop.

She needed to find a way home but was lost at every turn.

She didn't know where she was and everything around her was hollow and useful.

Hazel needed to find a map or someone willing to help but there was nothing like that where she was.

Every shop she ran up to was closed and she was starting to lose hope.

Hazel ran through many alleyways before getting back onto a busy street as her bare feet began to bleed.

She suddenly tripped over a speed bump causing her to fall.

Hazel laid there as she panted.

Her legs were aching and her body was exhausted but she needed to find Claude.

If she found him it would all be ok as she knew he would know what to do.

Hazel stood up as blood ran down her leg.

She looked at the injury on her knee before looking around.

She had to keep running otherwise they would find her.

Hazel began to run again as she felt like screaming.

Tear's filled her dry eyes again causing them to sting which only added to her misery.

She ran into an empty street that was somehow familiar.

Fear began to fill her leaving her confused as she had blocked out those memories.

Her mind was fuzzy and even if she remembered the reason she recognised this part of town it would still be a struggle to fully understand it.

She kept running before freezing as lights surrounded her.

She looked around to see the gang that took her.

Hazel took a soft breath as she saw someone get out of the car in front of her.

She suddenly was running as her body moved for her.

She ran into an alleyway before tripping over something.

She then laid there as she covered her mouth.

She closed her eyes as she felt the bright car lights on her.

Hazel laid there as rot filled her nose causing her to tear up until they drove away.

Hazel then turned around before screaming as she saw dead bodies scattered in the alleyway.

She backed away from them before hitting a wall.

Suddenly the memories came back.

This was the alleyway that lead her to Claude.

She started to get flashbacks making her feel dizzy as tears ran down her face.

She then stood up as her legs trembled.

Hazel then ran out of the alleyway before looking around as she started to recognise where she was.

She turned around and saw her sister's apartment complex in the distance.

Hazel had never felt so happy as she started running again before running into the apartment complex.

She then stumbled to her sister's apartment before knocking on the door as she placed her hand on the wall next to the door to stop herself from falling.

Suddenly the door opened showing her half-asleep sister Violet.

"Hazel?" she said.

"Can I come in?

Please Violet" Hazel said.

Violet looked at her sister before quickly getting her inside.

Hazel then collapsed as her exhaustion finally caught up to her.