Rock me

Part 29

Dylan

I woke up to someone grabbing my arms.

"Give me 5 more minutes Harry." 

When he didn't answer I opened my eyes, seeing Brandon hovering above me. My breathing immediately picks up. Where the hell am I?

Without think I kick up, hitting Brandon between his legs. He lets go of me and crouches down a bit, in pain. I get up and look around, realizing Harry and I had fallen asleep in the park. The sun was rising, so there was a bit of light. I ran off the gazebo and towards the buildings. 

I run harder, my legs burning as I push myself to keep going. The streets are so empty, compared to normal. The early morning sun casts eerie shadows, stretching long and thin across the sidewalk, and there's no one here. No one who'll notice if I scream.

I look back, and Brandon's right there—closer than I'd realized. His face is twisted with fury, his pace quickening. I force myself to look forward again, my breath coming in short, painful gasps as I dart around a corner, nearly slipping in my rush.

Keep moving. Just keep moving.

I hear his footsteps behind me, relentless. I dodge down an alley, hoping maybe he won't see where I went. My pulse races as I press myself against the cold brick wall, squeezing my eyes shut, begging him to go away.

But his footsteps get louder. He rounds the corner, and his eyes lock on mine. For a split second, neither of us moves.

"Thought you could run from me?" His voice is low and menacing, barely a whisper, but it feels like it cuts straight through me. I can feel my heartbeat in every inch of my body, cold fear flooding my veins.

He lunges toward me, and I push myself off the wall, my legs heavy with exhaustion but somehow finding strength to keep going. He grabs for my arm, his fingers just grazing my skin, but I twist out of his grip, stumbling forward. He's still right behind me, too close. I won't get away this time.

I don't know where I'm running to anymore; I just have to keep moving. As I round another corner, weaving between parked cars, my mind grasping for some way out of this nightmare. The street ahead is empty, just as deserted as the others. There's nowhere to hide, nowhere to go.

I look back, and he's closer than ever, a determined look on his face that chills me to the core. I can feel his breath practically on my neck.

Then, without thinking, I veer sharply into a narrow alley. It's so tight I have to turn sideways to squeeze between the buildings, but he's not as quick. He hesitates, struggling to fit through the narrow gap, and I take my chance. I slip out the other end, my heart pounding as I take off again, back onto the main street.

The buildings around me are starting to look familiar, and a flicker of hope flares up in my chest. I know this area—I'm close to the hotel. My feet pound against the pavement as I run, each step bringing me closer. I just have to get there, just have to make it inside.

Up ahead, I see someone jogging, half-hidden in the morning shadows.He turns his head, and I see the profile, the familiar tattooed arm. Relief floods through me, nearly buckling my knees.

"Zayn!" I gasp, pushing myself forward.

He turns fully, surprise flashing across his face as he sees me stumbling toward him. "Dylan?" His voice is full of confusion, but his expression shifts the second he sees my face—he doesn't need to ask questions. He knows something's wrong.

Before I can say anything, I feel a hand close around my wrist, yanking me back. My heart stops as I realize Brandon has caught up again, his grip tight, fingers digging into my skin.