I Can Hear Your Strength (A Heartstopper FanFic -- BOOK 3)

14. Over

Leaves and twigs snapped underfoot as he ran through the woods. This time he would make it. This time he would get away. This time he would reach freedom.

His heart thundered against his ribcage. Sweat stung his eyes, stuck his hair to his forehead. His feet burned in their battered converse.

Just a little further and you'll make it.

Just a little more and you're free.

Another step and Nick will be there.

But his perusers were gaining on him. He could hear their heavy footfalls, their rough voices.

No. No.

And then they were all around him. He fell forward. His palms struck gravel. Somebody yanked him around and then —

Pain. Darkness. Nothing.

Then... breathing. Someone was breathing, loud and fast. He reached up above his head. To his sides. He shuffled his feet. His head.

No. No, please. Let me out! Help! Please — help!

But nobody could hear him. He kept forgetting that.

Nobody ever heard him.

His breath fogged, hot and close around the small space and Charlie tried not to panic.

Breathe and you won't panic.

Don't think. Just breathe.

In and out.

In and out.

In —

"Kevin," came a muffled voice. "Have you got the teabags?"

Charlie strained his ears. Someone was out there!

"What?" came a second voice.

"You were meant to get more teabag."

"I'm sorry — I was too busy getting supplies for the chickens."

"What about us, Kev?"

"You know it's not safe to dawdle out and about when we're on the job for the boss. He told me supplies and back. Nothing about sodding teabags."

"Do you listen to everything the boss tells you to do?"

"Yes, actually. I value my life even if you don't, Greg."

"He can't keep going forever. One of these days he's going to get caught and we're gonna be the ones left to feed the fucking chickens."

Charlie sat up so fast he flung out a hand to stop himself from banging his head on the lid of the box. But nothing reached his hand. Panting, heart still pounding, he looked around wildly at the dark space. There was a soft mattress beneath him, a familiar blue duvet under his fingers, David Tennant, Billie Piper, Iron Man and some rugby player he had never learnt the name of were all staring down at him through the gloom. Charlie's chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath.

"Oh my god," he gasped. "Oh my — fuck... Nick! Nick —!" Charlie threw himself at his boyfriend's sleeping form and shook his shoulders. "Nick, I'm sorry, but you need to wake up — I've figured something out. I can't believe I didn't see it before, Nick —!"

Nick went from deeply asleep to wide awake remarkably fast, his eyes wide with alarm even as he rubbed at them. "Charlie? Hey, hey, shhh, slow down. Are you okay? Did you have a nightmare?"

Charlie clung to his arm. "Yes, but that doesn't matter right now. Nick, you need to listen —"

"Charlie, take a breath, okay?" Nick sat up against the headboard and patted the bed beside him, indicating for Charlie to snuggle closer.