Run

Chapter Thirteen

RUN

By Elissa Evenson

Chapter Thirteen: STACY

I bit his hand. He didn't move an inch. His hand was still clamped over my mouth and nose. I was starting to lose air. I had to breathe, but it was too hard to. I screamed into his hand.

"You better shut up young lady." The mystery man said in a gruff voice. Just then I heard the front door open. Mason! He was back! Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no no no no. What if he gets dragged into this? I can't let him get hurt. I heard two thumps that must've been him taking off his shoes.

"Hey Stacy, I'm back." He called out. Oh no, oh no, oh no. He came around the corner and his jaw dropped open. He quickly shook his head then ran towards me and the mystery man.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET AWAY FROM HER!" Mason yelled cranking his arm back getting ready to punch. "LET. HER. GO!" Mason shouted as he punched the man right in the face. That's strange. You'd think the mystery man would be able to defend himself. Not just take a hit right to the face. It's got to leave a mark.

The mystery man quickly let go of me and I could breathe again. I dropped to the ground on my knees and winced from the pain in my leg.

The mystery man touched his face and then punched Mason in the gut. Hard. Mason doubled over and gasped for air.

"I can... I can take it." He wheezed. The mystery man grabbed me by my arm and started dragging me.

"MASON!" I yelled. "MASON! HELP ME!" Mason tried to stand up straight but he was still out of breath. He jogged towards the mystery man and me. I planted my feet down. I wouldn't let them take me. I reached my arm out towards Mason, but the mystery man smacked it away.

"Let's go." And he tugged my arm really hard. We were almost at the back door now. I grabbed ahold of the dining room door frame and resisted. Every ounce of me resisted the man. He tugged on my arm harder. It was like a game of tug-o-war. Mason took this opportunity to catch up to me.

"I won't let him take you Stacy." Mason shouted. I couldn't see anything because tears clouded my vision. All I could see was myself being carried away in a dark van to some place far away and never seeing daylight again. Oh my gosh! Where's Stella?

"STELLA! STELLA? STELLA WHERE ARE YOU?" I cried. Oh my gosh. What if I lose her forever? What if she got kidnapped and I'll never see her again. It's my entire fault. It's my entire fault. My entire fault. My entire fault. All my fault.

Just then a fist came and punched the mystery man in the side of the head.

"STELLA!" A wave of happiness washed over me despite our situation. The mystery man let go of my arm and looked around dazed. I felt proud. I was the one who taught her how to punch.

Mason, Stella, and I pushed the mystery man outside and locked the door behind him. Then Mason ran and quickly looked the front door. The three of us ran upstairs to Mason's bedroom. We locked the door behind us.

"What do we do?" Mason whispered frantically. "Should we call the police?"

"No." I exclaimed quickly. "I mean, we'll have to explain a lot, and what do we tell them about my leg?" Which, by the way, hurt a lot.

"Can't we tell them the truth?" Mason asked.

"No, because technically we're run-aways. If I go to the hospital, they'll ask for my parents and your mom doesn't even know I'm here." I explained. I let out a deep sigh. "We're screwed. I think we need to tell your mom what's going on."

"I think you're right." Mason said. I looked up at him and he gave me a small smile.

"Well I don't." Stella said with a frown as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Well what do you think we should do Stella?" I snapped at her. Only a moment ago I was so happy to see her.

"I-I don't know." Apparently she didn't expect me to snap at her. I felt bad for her. She has been robbed of her childhood. I guess I have to.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled keeping my gaze on the floor.

"It's ok," She mumbled back.

"So should we just wait in here until my mom gets back?" Mason asked.

"I guess that's all we really can do."