Doubts - Regretful ex-Fiancé

Chapter 20 | ✓

Like an unstoppable force, the car smashed and wrenched into the forest, crushing branches and crashing over bushes. Desperately, I glanced back to see who was after us. Behind us, in a very vulnerable position, was a dark car with two males in the front wearing sunglasses.

The second vehicle crashed into a tree and came to a stop with its wheels still turning after Jonathan skilfully maneuvered and accelerated the vehicle. I heard a metal sound and turned to face the back, sweat trickling down my brow and my heart thumping in my throat. Fear was a tool of survival, but it could also be paralyzing. 

"I'll stop in 2 minutes," Jonathan told me calmly, looking in the rearview mirror. "Open the door immediately, run for 20 minutes or more without stopping, find a shady tree to climb, and wait for me. Be silent and don't move from the place you choose." He spoke in such a calm and professional manner that I felt we were discussing where to take a picnic.

"I c-can't go without you," I mumbled in a scared whisper, staring forward but seeing nothing. The landscape was made entirely of leaves and trees... there was no evidence of a house, only a nearly closed forest, encircled by green and appearing almost frighteningly gloomy.

"Obey me, don't argue," he said sternly. I gulped hard and glanced at him quickly. His demeanour was bleak and determined.

"I can help... I c-can..." I attempted to speak boldly, but he grilled me almost harshly.

"Do you know what could happen if they catch you?" he enquired, his voice containing rage. "Do not argue with me, Isabella. I know what I am doing. Obey me," he urged again, and this time I closed my mouth to avoid discussing it more.

Jonathan swiftly removed his coat and handed it to me, then took the shotgun and bag he had placed on my lap."Put on my coat; there is a knife in my pocket. Use the knife first, and the gun only if it is the final resort. Do you get it? Shoot to kill. Go," he shouted, opening the shotgun chamber and loading many shells in one seamless motion. I opened the car door and nearly fell to the ground to get out. I threw on Jonathan's coat, grabbed my tiny revolver, and ran as if my life depended on it. Maybe it did.

Less than five minutes later, I heard five shots and came to a complete stop, as if freezing water had been thrown on my back. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out. Jonathan told me to run... Jonathan said...!

I shook my head, dismissing the paralysing horror, and returned to running like crazy. My breathing got heavy, and I thought I was going to die from exhaustion. Running for 20 minutes was a difficult chore for someone who was not used to it, especially when mixed with anxiety and fear. There was a rising discomfort on the left side of my stomach!

I fell to the ground abruptly, feeling weak. Jonathan...?! What might be going on...? Who were those people?! I got up abruptly, feeling a pang in my knee, and noticed a tree with a lower limb that I might use to pull myself up. I dashed to it and quickly stood up on the branch. I raised my hand and dragged myself up to the upper branch again, and I proceeded until I reached a significant height, which was obscured by some leaves. Jonathan's dark brown coat concealed the pink cardigan I was wearing. I tried to breathe calmly and suppress my dread and distress, but the situation felt so familiar! Run, hide, and remain quiet.

I'm not sure how much time passed when I heard five gunfire, spaced out. I closed my eyes, conveying with myself not to defy Jonathan's orders. My heart felt frozen, tight, as if there was a hand within squeezing and crushing it. I should've stayed with him! I should have disobeyed!

Time appeared to pass with dishonest calm... perhaps I was in that tree for half an hour...? One hour...? I couldn't define it any more... There was silence around me. The forest seemed silent, and Jonathan did not appear...?!

I considered climbing down from the tree, but I did not want to go against Jonathan. I wanted to get back to the car, but I was afraid and unsure if I'd be able to find it. My knee was cut slightly and my hands were bruised, but it was unimportant given the circumstances.

How could this have happened!? After all of the good things Jonathan and I had shared... It seems like fate intended to mock us, our efforts, and our desire to start over.