Escape | Updated Weekly

24

I woke up to the sound of soft thuds outside the bedroom window. I opened my eyes and saw that I hadn't imagined running away to the Phillips summer cabin last night. I got up from the bed put Mac's T-shirt on. I hadn't noticed it last night, but behind his floor length curtains were double doors leading to a balcony. I opened them up and the thudding noise got louder. Out on the balcony the view over looked the back of the cabin where some near by woods were. Down below me stood Mac. He had an axe in his hands and was chopping logs, presumably for the fire place that I had seen downstairs.

I leaned against the balcony and watched him. He was sweating a little from the chopping and it was running down his baked torso. He'd grunt with every swing but was successfully splitting the logs in half, perfectly every time.

Eventually he looked up and noticed me watching him. "Morning" he called up. I waved back and he finished up with the logs, returning to the bedroom a little while later. "wanna test out that shower?" he asked, his grin was wide and mischievous, he'd already collected two towels for us both. "More than anything" and I admitted. I had never shared a shower with anyone before now, and all I can say is, there's not much cleaning going on. 

When we were finished I sat in the chair in Mac's room wearing his dressing gown that he'd left hung on the door. He stayed in his towel and was on the bed, playing his guitar. There was something different about seeing him play in the band compared to seeing him on his own. Instead of trying to put on a show and impress the people watching it seemed like he had more of a passion playing whatever it was that came to mind. 

Despite how old his guitar was it still played as he trailed his fingers along the strings to make a perfect tune. He looked like he was in his own little world, probably reminiscing about the old days when he first got that guitar and discovered his love for music. I tried to imagine a younger Mac going down a bad path but managing to escape away from it. 

I heard my phone ring, interrupting the sound of Mac's calming music. He stopped playing as I answered it. 

"Eve! Where the hell are you?"

It was Tom, I had completely forgotten to make up an excuse and let him know I wouldn't be there for a few days. 

"Erm.. Sorry I forgot to tell you"

I looked over at Mac silently begging him to help me think of something as I try to stall. 

"Your car is still here, you went missing and you just forgot to let anyone know? We've been worried sick all morning I had to stop Mum from ringing the police"

I felt guilty for worrying them and having to lie, but I felt even more guilty for just enjoying mine and Mac's secret getaway. 

"Where did you go?" Tom questioned, breaking my thoughts. He was talking so loud even Mac could hear him on the other side of the room. Mac got up and wrote something down on some paper and then showed me what he had written. 

"I erm, I found a writing program in Devon. I just got the train down to save fuel. I'll be back in a few days"

"Why is it the first time I'm hearing about it?"

"I only just found it last night. I didn't want to wake you this morning when I left" I held my breath and prayed that he hadn't been up early that morning, making my story easier to believe. 

"Okay. I want you to text me everyday and when you're coming back so I know you're safe"

I let out my breath. He still didn't too sure but at least he was done asking questions now. 

"Okay Tom"

"Love you, bye"

I hung up the phone, Mac had sat back down the bed just looking over at me. "Get dressed. I'm gonna take you somewhere"