Run. || Alex Gaskarth A.U.

Chapter 16: Some Knives Cut Deeper Than Others

I remember the look on your face when I returned from the dead. I remember how your smile disappeared and how your eyes grew as wide as saucers. Your face turned ashen and I could feel the fear that radiated off you. I wasn't supposed to live, was I? I wasn't supposed to be there. I was the pawn you just couldn't take out, wasn't I?

I won't dwell on this for much longer, for there's not much left to say, you know. The bomb is still ticking, and nothing I can do or say is going to stop that. It appears that I'm nearly fresh out of subjects to talk about. Maybe all that's left for me to do is count down the seconds until I blow up.

Or maybe I should have listened to Zack instead of myself.

~

From behind a tree, the Runaways camp looked impressive. Concealed by long branches and large leaves, I wouldn't have found it if it weren't for the hidden Runaways logos written in the dirt and carved into trees.

It appeared that the Runaways had carved it into every inch of earth and bark they could find, and I couldn't tell if it was for a rebellious or territorial purpose. Perhaps it was supposed to scare people away, but for me, it just made my blood boil with rage.

There were two guards sitting high up in the branches. Around their waists were belts with an impressive array of knives, but their knives didn't scare me. After surviving mutated vines, mutated tigers and the sadistic Alex Gaskarth, nothing scared me.

So as I marched out from behind my tree, arms swinging, I was fearless. As I had expected, the guards dropped down from their trees like ninjas, ready to jump me, but I held up my necklace--correction, Alex's necklace-- and they froze immediately.

"Who--"

"Amelia Wicker, and if you even attempt to slit my throat, I'll stick my knife up your ass, got it?" I hissed, not in the mood to play twenty one questions. Shocked (and perhaps a little bit frightened) at my harsh words, the guards backed off, but in all fairness, I'm sure my surname was enough to make them think twice about ending me.

They let me pass and I stormed though the gate, right into the centre of--what looked to be--a hearty campsite with tall tents pitched as far as they eye could see. Kids darted from tent to tent, laughing as they kicked stones around. It was alien to me, those kids smiling and laughing. It nearly made me forget about what the world outside this camp had become.

There was only one building in the place, but I didn't dare go near it in fear that I would draw too much attention to myself. No, I couldn't let myself get sucked in by these monsters. I had one job to do, and one job only.

Instead of the gold sky that I had grown fond of since my encounter with Zack, there was a purple sky above my head now, and with it was a noticeable chill in the air. A thin mist was settling upon the ground, and I felt cold, my clothes still slightly damp from my little swim. To my surprise, the kids continued to play, and soon enough, lanterns were being lit and logs of wood burned.

It was too peaceful, too happy for me. Everything about this place seemed to make my stomach churn and limbs feel heavy. It was like that feeling you got when you knew you shouldn't be somewhere, and I certainly didn't belong here. Not when I knew how this place was run by demonic liars.

My whole body was numb, and when I realised that my feet were being dragged across the dirt, I decided that enough was enough. Alex wasn't worth this. Alex wasn't anywhere worth this sickening feeling.

But of course--It was written in the stars I suppose--but out of the corner of my eye I saw him, and any notion I had of me not getting my sweet revenge evaporated like steam in the air.