Escape

Chapter 18

4:15 p.m.

I just got off work and I walk to my locker. I grab my phone out of my bag and dial Masons number.

"Hello?" I hear Masons voice on the other end.

"Hey Mason." I reply.

"So I was thinking. Do you want to pick me up and help me with something?" I ask hopefully.

"Alright. You're at work right? Because I'm just around the corner I'll be there in five." He says, and not even waiting for a response, he hangs up the phone.

I put my phone in my bag and change into my boots, sticking my shoes in my bag. I throw on my coat and head to the front doors. I stand inside and wait for Mason. My eyes drift around looking at random things around me, then two loud honks brings back my focus.

"Bye Linda!" I call to one of my coworkers and then head out the door.

"Hey." Mason says as I hop into the passenger side.

"Hey!" I reply as I buckle in my seatbelt.

"Alright where to?" Mason asks.

"My old place. And before you say anything it's important." I say biting my lip.

"Um.. Sure I guess." He says and then we make our way there.

Once we get to my old house I can see that my parents car is gone, just like I planned. I got out, leaving everything in the car and I can hear Mason as he closes his door and I can hear his footsteps as he follows me.

"What in the hell are we doing?" He asks, jogging slightly to catch up to me.

I shushed him and looked up to my sisters window. The lights were off.

"Yes." I say and then run to the backyard.

"What the hell.." I hear Mason whisper to himself before he jogs after me.

I go and grab a huge ladder form behind the shed.

"I could use some help." I say.

Mason grabs the opposite end of the ladder and I guide him to the ground below my old bedroom window. Then I lean the top of the ladder against the window ledge.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Mason yells at me, demanding a response.

"Okay. So I need Austin's things. His stroller, bottles, bassinet, playpen and my keys. So I'm going in through my window and getting everything then coming out the front door. I need you to hold the ladder steady and then once I'm in, put the ladder back and then wait for me at the front door. Okay?" I say, huffing out air at the end of my rant.

"Okay." Mason says and motions for me to get going up the ladder.

I start to climb up and I see him hold the ladder as I continue to climb up. I finally reach my window and then with all my strength, manage to get the window open. I climb in and then look back down at Mason, who is already pulling down the ladder.

"Thank you!" I call and then immediately get to work.

I grab my keys off my dresser and put them on the stroller. Then I take the blankets out of the bassinet and playpen and put them in there too. Then I decide to go downstairs and let Mason in so he can help me. As I open the door he walks right in and goes upstairs. Then I follow him into my room where he already has the playpen folded up and is pushing the stroller out the door.

"I'm putting these in my car. I'll be back in a few." He says and I watch him leave.

I scrounge up a few extra things, like a few items of clothing and my pillow, along with my blow up air mattress from in my closet and toss it all in the bassinet. Then Mason comes back and helps be bring it downstairs. He puts it in his car and I run back upstairs. As I'm closing my window I hear him shout up to me,

"Cass you better hurry their car is heading down the street!!"

I gasp and run downstairs. I trip as I'm trying to go as fast as I can and try to catch myself with my hands. There's a loud smack as my hands hit the floor and shots of extreme pain shoot up both my wrists. I groan in pain and somehow manage to get back up. With years forcing themselves out of my eyes I run to the door. But my parents are already there. Mason tries to stop my dad and all I see is the anger in my dads face as his hand forms a fist.

"Mason no!!" I cry out as my dad punches him, full force in the side of the face.

Mason wipes the blood from his lip and kicks my dad in the groin. Through my pain and tears I laugh as I watch my dad fall to the ground in pain. Mason grins and runs to me.

"You okay?" He asks seeing my wrists starting to bruise.

"I think they're broken. But let's go." I say, giggling at the shocked expressions on my step mother and sisters faces.

Mason picks me up and brings me to the car, where he places me down on the passenger side. I put on my seatbelt and he jumps in the other side. Then we take off and return to Julia's. I go to push the button that unbuckles my seatbelt and as soon as I try a sharp pain goes up my wrist and I let Mason do it. He opens my door and helps me out. Then he walks to the front door and opens it for me. I walk in and see Julia's dad and Austin passed out on the couch. I smile and then Mason brings in Austin's things and takes them downstairs. I walk out to his car with him.

"Thank you. So much. But also, sorry about your lip." I say and look at his swollen, bloody lip.

"It's alright." He says.

He leans back against his car and I stand in front of him. He wraps him arms around my neck and I grip his sides.

"Does it hurt?" I ask.

"A little." He replies.

I smile and then lean closer to him. He leans closer to me. My eyelids drape over my eyes and so do his. I feel his hands make their way to my cheeks. Then I press my lips against his. I feel him flinch and I move my head back slightly but he leans back into it. Then we slowly pull our heads back and rest our foreheads against each others.

"Now does it hurt?" I ask in a whisper.

"Yea...but it's worth it." He replies.