Holding My Breath [Wattys 2016]

3 0 ~ R u s t y

                

Present Day ~ June 20, 2011

It feels almost... normal.

Having friends, I mean. Very weird, but... normal. They aren't the four random strangers I met a month ago. I mean, we aren't blood brothers or anything, but I've gotten to know them.

I've learned that Sawyer's full name is Sawyer Kadence Harper-Ray the Second and that he is rich.

I've learned that Blue and Bailey met in art class in elementary school, so they've been friends since they were five.

I've learned that Colt has the puppy-love eyes for Bailey, too. And Bailey? She has two older brothers. One is at college right now.

Bailey and I have been taking little jobs here and there, painting things for people and splitting the money. Spending time with her all day makes me notice that we aren't all that different. You know, besides my criminal record. In fact, I might even consider us close.

Strange, I know.

Bailey and I will go to Archie's sometimes and ask for Blue as our waiter, so we can annoy him to death. I can't imagine how horrible we are as customers, but it's okay because we all end up laughing instead of yelling.

Don't get me wrong, I know Caesar is coming for me, and I know my time is limited before he catches up, but for now I've decided to stop running. Sawyer had asked me what information I wanted for jumping off the platform. I told him that he didn't need to bother with it, that I don't need it anymore. I guess that for now, I'm giving up on my search.

No, I'm not quite giving up, but I'm not centering the last little bit of time around it before he finds me. Even if I get what he wants... odds are, he'll probably kill me anyway.